Is it that much? I'm leveling a character for the last few weeks, and I'm a lvl 43 doing lv 40 maw, after doing most side quests in all maps. Granted this only changed a few days ago, bit I haven't felt that much difference.
Also if sidequests are not needed to level, that's awesome.
I enjoy doing them but sometimes it's too much and they're too boring or generic.