Let’s talk about toxic hustle culture
You’ve seen the posts on LinkedIn and Instagram. You’ve liked, dropped a comment and maybe even posted your own #Mondaymotivation quotes.
In our super-fast, super-evolved modern world, it’s never been easier (and paradoxically, harder) to be a success at work.
Influencers, podcast hosts, motivational speakers; it seems everyone and their grandmother has tapped into hustle culture. You’re supposed to always be working harder, smarter, grinding till all hours and showcasing your efforts everywhere you can. Modesty is out, owning your achievements and being loud about your success is in.
But what about the toll this can take on your mental health? The problem with the grind is that it never stops, so where does this leave us when we’re just tired of it all?
When work ethic becomes a bad word
Hustle culture refers to a societal mindset that glorifies and promotes constant busyness, overwork and the pursuit of success at all costs.
And we do mean “at all costs”. Strange but true, there are numerous posts on LinkedIn where professionals have posted selfies even while in hospital to display their tireless work ethic.
A strong work ethic is one thing – and in fact – admirable. What’s problematic and worrying is allowing yourself to be consumed by this always-on mentality at the expense of your wellbeing.
So, where’s the not-so-thin line between working hard and working destructively? A work ethic becomes toxic when:
- People constantly commend and celebrate long work hours. In toxic hustle culture, working excessively long hours, including nights and weekends, is often seen as a badge of honour. There’s an expectation that you should always be online and available.
- We think it’s okay to constantly push ourselves to the limit, working when sick, never taking time off, and sacrificing personal wellbeing. There’s no work-life balance, it’s all work, all the time.
- We are afraid to take time away from the office. You know those people; you might be one of them. The ones who reply to every email even when they’re on a holiday or down with the flu. Toxic hustle culture often instils a fear of failure and a worry that any moment not spent working is a missed opportunity for success. This fear can lead to anxiety, stress, and an inability to enjoy any downtime at all.
By enforcing a mentality of "work relentlessly or fail," hustle culture pushes us into a fight-or-flight mode, triggering the release of cortisol, the “stress” hormone.
Every person in the world, from a high-functioning athlete to a child requires periods of rest. Your body is not meant to sustain and manage long stretches of overwork, fueled by stress. This perpetual stress can have damaging effects on your physical health and mental dexterity, and may lead to issues like anxiety, depression, obesity, and loads of other illnesses.
If it sounds like you’re enmeshed or even on the path to toxic hustle culture, do your health a major favour and take some time to reassess your priorities. Yes, work is important, and we all have bills to pay. But there is always a way to find a healthy balance between a strong work ethic with enough room for personal wellbeing.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only. Always check with your doctor or medical practitioner about any health concerns, before embarking on any fitness or nutrition programme, or using any medication.