We are going through an era so fast-paced and rapid that a 24-hour long day seems inadequate to get through a day’s work.
I look around and find my peers studying and working simultaneously all day; some take pride in the lifestyle while others are evidently burnt out. For some, a weekend almost feels like a luxury. And then I look at myself, worried and stressed about not being able to keep up with the present work culture. It leaves me wondering if I’ll ever be successful in life.
Success demands diligence and hard work, but are we setting the bar so high that our physical and mental health falls at stake? Hustle culture demands us to overexert ourselves and constantly be productive leaving no time for self-care and recreation. The “Go big or go home” mindset not only takes away the essence of life from us but also makes us question our worth every minute, triggering a constant evaluation of capability based on productivity levels.
It is important to analyse the costs of this relentless and overwhelming pursuit. Besides, educational institutions and workspaces must design the outline of studies and layouts of work in a way that is healthy and non-detrimental for students and employees respectively.
The trade-offs
Our body and brain have their limits and unlike any automated machine with unlimited capacity, they need rest and the time to recover from stress. Hustle culture encourages us to push ourselves past our limits, which upsets the delicate balance of stress and recovery. This can result in a variety of psychological repercussions, like throwing us into the pit of The Burnout Cycle, a state of chronic exhaustion, cynicism, and reduced effectiveness caused by excessive stress and pressure. This tiredness perpetuates distress and hinders our ability to cope, resulting in a deeper spiral into chronic exhaustion and apathy. I have seen so many of my peers fall so deep into the well of burnout in their early 20s, an age that is the most crucial for self-growth and moulding one’s future. Other consequences of the hustle tradition include anxiety and depression, reduced creativity and problem-solving capabilities, imposter syndrome and more.
The by-products of hustle culture also include physical fallouts. Studies show that working more than 50 hours per week multiplies the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Chronic stress can debilitate the immune system, disturb the sleep cycle and the ability to stay stable throughout the course of work, increase the risk of musculoskeletal issues like back pain, sore veins, etc. Overworking from a very young age, which has become a norm in the present generation, can lead to chronic health issues for a lifetime.
Does social media glorify hustle culture?
Those embedded in a toxic hustle culture often struggle with feelings of guilt when they take time for rest or relaxation. Social media intensifies this guilt, as posts from seemingly successful contemporaries, family, and friends with relentless work ethics can easily create the perception that taking breaks is synonymous with laziness or a lack of productivity. Social media has become a breeding ground for hustle culture, presenting a carefully curated reality of constant work, success, and achievements. Influencers and entrepreneurs often positively portray their rigorous work ethic and extravagant lifestyles, fostering toxic positivity about hustle culture. This idealised portrayal fuels the “comparison trap,” leading individuals to feel less worthy and pressured to replicate unrealistic standards. The constant bombardment of success stories creates FOMO (fear of missing out), pushing individuals to overexert themselves. Social media’s glorification of this non-stop materialistic pursuit paints a misleading picture of success while neglecting the detrimental impact it has on individuals’ mental and physical well-being. It’s crucial to remember that rest is essential for productivity and mental well-being. Prioritising self-care allows you to return to work feeling recharged and focused, ultimately leading to higher-quality output.
Breaking free from the hustle cycle
If we want to escape the relentless cycle of hustle culture, we will have to shift our perspective and action. Success doesn’t necessarily have to align with the kind validated by social media, it can be redefined on your own terms and set according to your limits. Prioritising personal fulfilment and well-being over external validation and constant achievement could be the first step out of the toxic trap of hustle culture. Setting realistic goals that align with our capacity and resources, prioritising self-care by dedicating time to activities that nourish our mind, body, and spirit, establishing clear boundaries between work and personal life, and disconnecting from work during off-hours can help us maintain a healthy work-life balance. For the students working alongside pursuing their degrees, it is important to take up only as much part-time work as they can handle without disrupting their physical and mental health. We need to mindfully curate our social media experience and limit exposure to content that glorifies overwork. We should rather focus on inspirational narratives that promote a balanced and fulfilling life. Because people’s lives can truly be taken over by this work culture.
While productivity is always commended, there comes a time when prioritising one’s physical and mental health becomes imperative. The consequences of burnout are severe, and regrettably, an increasing number of individuals are experiencing them. Today, let’s make an effort to take some time for ourselves and try to live a life with a balance between productivity and relaxation every day.