The Truth About Hustle Culture
Here’s the truth: I like being busy. and I also like rest.
I like being around people. and I like being alone.
I like the hustle. and I like enjoying the fruits of my hard work.
I like the grind.and I like seasons of a slower pace.
I like creating content for work. and I like creating content for fun.
My unpopular opinion? yes, of course rest is important. but on the flip side of the coin, for many people? T𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗿𝘆.
I see all these fists shaken and shared posts on IG saying “down with hustle culture!! all that matters is your happiness!” 🥴
If my child tried to tell me he didn’t need to pull an all nighter for a final exam he wasn’t prepared for because sOcIaL MeDiA ToLd HiM the hustle was toxic… ✋🏼 like, no, child. no. grind it out and take care of that ish! it’s not time for rest. you done did that already and look where it got you.
It doesn’t matter if it’s an all-night cram session for a college final or an all-night cram session for a work project deadline. we can’t just keep shaking our fists and posting “down with the hustle” on social media to make ourselves feel better for not fulfilling our commitments.
The problem isn’t hard work.
*tap tap the mic* 🎤can we give hard work a break?!🎤
I vote we stop vilifying the hustle and instead 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲— 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶.
My life would be way less fulfilled, and truthfully, I’d be miserable if I’d listened to the people who laughed at me when I quit nursing for photography or when 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 made fun of me for jumping into direct sales. the same people who told me the risk and work wasn’t worth it, that the grind was pointless, that I’d fail…all those late nights? worth it. all that sacrifice? worth it.
T𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝘁. and it’s necessary. and it’s worth celebrating those around you who are working hard to smash their own personal goals.
And by the way, there is no such thing as “small wins.”
In fact, 20% of small business start ups fail in their first year. 66% don’t last ten years. The reality is, I don’t have a boss holding me accountable. I don’t have set hours or risk getting a PIP. it’s on me. so yeah— my discipline, passion, purpose, management skills, self-development and sheer GRIT is worth celebrating every single day.
Look at me gooooo. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Don’t forget to celebrate your consistency, it’s not a small win. it’s everything. consistency makes you the 1%.
So in closing, let the hustlers hustle, quit with the guilt trip already. And celebrate yourself.✌🏼
