Detoxing from Hustle Culture
It’s time to talk about hustle culture. There are debates on both ends of the spectrum, questioning whether it is good or bad. Although hustle culture may deliver benefits like advancing your career or leading to financial gains, this constant go-getter approach to your daily living may do more harm than good.
what is hustle culture and how is it toxic?
If you are unfamiliar with the term, it defines a culture of constantly overworking yourself and having very little personal time. It gives you the mindset that success will come to you the harder you work. Over time, this can lead to negative changes and impacts to your health like experiencing feelings of anxiety, depression and stress.
If you or someone you know are stuck in hustle culture and are seeking a way out, here are helpful ideas on how to escape from it so you can start detoxifying.
self-awareness
Take a moment to sit back and first tell yourself that you have been stuck in hustle culture.
This lifestyle has been toxic because you have been constantly overworked and overstressed. Reflect on warning signs you might be overlooking like a decrease in passion for hobbies or even fewer family times. By accepting you are stuck in hustle culture, you are being honest with yourself and will feel more motivated in finding ways to escape.
take five
Or 10, 15, even 20 if you can during working hours. Hustle culture thrives off of placing your personal needs at the very bottom of the list. Take back control of your life by implementing short-term breaks at work when you feel stressed. It’s a great self-care practice and not only does it benefit you, but your work as well. By taking short-term breaks, you are able to calm your busy mind and make space for a clearer mindset when approaching work projects.
restructure success
Success can mean different things for people. Figure out your new definition of success and re-evaluate what it means to you. Try to avoid what has probably been your go-to responses like a promotion or a pay increase, and replace them by picturing a healthy work-life balance as an example. In this case, success means finding a harmonious balance between your professional life and personal life. You are able to manage your work projects effectively and timely, but not at the cost of limiting valuable time spent with yourself and others.
be comfortable with saying “no”
It’s an old school saying, but still very important to do because it holds a lot of power. You may feel intimidated at the first few tries, but try to practice politely saying “no'' to extra projects and tasks at work when your to-do list is feeling heavy. Accepting additional work when you are already feeling stretched thin will only create stress and anxiety. This pressure to accept and complete every project handed to you builds onto the continuation of hustle culture, and it’s time to start saying “no.”
Tenzin Tsephel is an Associate Editor at Hope Magazine. She is experienced in writing beauty, fashion, and lifestyle topics. Born and raised in Wisconsin, she enjoys hobbies that include traveling, cooking and playing tennis during her free time.