From Rise and Shine to Rise and Grind

Tumble out of bed and stumble in the kitchen, pour yourself a RATHER large cup of ambition. Our lives changed completely when people started competing about who got lesser hours of sleep at night.

The #grindset mindset

Hustle culture prioritizes productivity, ambition, and success at the cost of personal health and wellbeing. The belief that in order to be successful, one has to constantly be at work and be productive has lead to a culture of toxic positivity which exacerbates burnout and exhaustion, both physical and mental. In the recent years with the rise of entrepreneurs and social media influencers, this mindset has received a modest boost.

Posts of influencers working till the wee hours of the day create a bottomless pit for impressionable young minds who eat up the notion that 3 hours of sleep, 10 cups of coffee, and 3 jobs is the road to success.

One might try to tell oneself that what they are doing is enough and they are where they are supposed to be in life, and that everyone’s journeys are different. But the glamorization of hustle culture in the media does not make it easy. Every reel, every post, every video is about someone succeeding in life- getting multiple degrees, working multiple jobs, or making expensive purchases.

The Perils of Hustle Culture

Guilt

Any act of self-care can lead to feelings of guilt. The guilt of not working enough, not doing enough, not being enough. It can even be a feeling that one does not deserve the period of relaxation because they have not yet achieved what they set out to.

Anxiety

These impossible to meet expectations set people up for failure. This can lead to stress and anxiety surrounding the completion of task which can in turn lead to the questioning of one’s self-worth and competence. Unrealistic goals do not account for a chance of error. As a result, minor mistakes might be blown out of proportion.

Illness

It is well documented that prolonged stress can lead to physical illness like high blood pressure and cardiovascular issues. The lack of sleep coupled with fatigue can also lead to various health issues.

Deterioration social relationships

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Jack also loses relationships with friends and family. From a failing marriage, to neglected friends, families, children, or even pets! Hustle culture makes no room for anything other than work. Whether all that work even contributes to your goal is another question altogether.

So, how do we jump off the bandwagon?

Intentional resting

Perforce take time out for yourself. Decide a time at which you shut shop for the day and unwind. It can be for meditation, exercise, any hobby, or Netflix. Whatever it be used for, take aside time for yourself. Create a routine and stick to it. Adequate sleep and a balanced diet are essential for physical and mental health.

Making your priorities clear

Prioritize your tasks. It might be that some task is more important than your bedtime. But it is equally important to know that some tasks can wait until after your meal or even the next morning.

Setting healthy boundaries

Know your limits and do not be ashamed of them, and it absolutely fine to deny a request that intrudes your boundaries. And listen to your body! It will tell you when it is fatigued and needs a break.

Setting your own goals

It is natural to look at someone else’s journey and compare it with yours. However, it is important to remember that your life is your own and cannot be compared with another’s. set your own goal instead of looking at others’. Set realistic, achievable goals. It is imperative that that success not be measured in terms of quantifiable, materialistic outcomes. Reducing the time spent on social media might help with reducing social comparison.

The myth that you will succeed if you work hard constantly comes at the cost of social relationships and physical and mental wellbeing. Ignoring the contribution of external factors in any outcome places the onus of the result solely on the person. Hard work is only a part of the road to success. So, work like no one’s judging!

Disclaimer: This blog post is meant for awareness/entertainment purposes only. It is not medical advice and one must refrain from self-diagnosing. It is in no way a substitute for therapy with a mental health professional and it is not meant to be clinical. To consult with a psychotherapist on our team, you can contact us on fettle.counselling@gmail.com.