The Hustle Culture: It’s Not Glamorous

The hustle culture is real and it’s a bit annoying. Too often, we see everyone talking about their hustles and side hustles. I would know, even I do this from time-to-time. But aren’t we tired?

Maybe it’s more commonplace to share a little more of our ups and downs than usual, but what about the burnout? I see so many people chugging energy drinks and practically living on coffee IVs that it leaves me to wonder, are we ever exhausted? I know I am.

Many of us juggle school, work, side passion projects, the basics of adulthood, families, and still have to find time to sleep and eat. Having a full schedule isn’t fun, it’s hard. If we could get 32 hours in a day, that would be amazing. That’s just not reality.

Sometimes, full schedules affect our relationship. For instance, my boyfriend feels like I push him to the side and put my never-ending to-do list at the top of my priorities. It’s not because I don’t feel connected to him, it’s because I want more for my future and more for my future with him. And, even more honestly, sometimes I breakdown and cry because I’m exhausted from doing too much.

Yet, people see what’s shared on Instagram and we forget there’s a true person behind the account. We chat about wanting to avoid/minimize burnout, but we’re competing with a nonexistent person. I think the most telling of this is how humbling Beyoncé’s Homecoming documentary special on Netflix truly is. She talks about being hungry, tired, and wanting to just be at home with her family. That’s the truth.

Now, I am by no means Beyoncé, but I could identify with those feelings she had. I’m guessing the same is true for you. We cram so much into our days because we are trying to leave something behind, a legacy. Thank you basic human ego for that.

When do we welcome in rest, doesn’t that make us feel guilty for not hustling?

Aside from the astronomical cost of living in the United States, the pressure to “make something of ourselves” and receive a fair paycheck for our efforts is difficult to find without “the hustle.” What’s even more prevalent amongst the youth of these days is life satisfaction. Maybe it’s because our awareness has shifted in that many of us recognize the lifestyles of our parents and grandparents is not exactly what we want. It’s not in an entitled way, but more so, “if I’m going to put forth my energies into something, I want it to have meaning for me.” We’re not living in a fantasy world where we want to be happy everyday. But, is it too much to ask for a few more days in the week when we are excited and fulfilled by our work? What’s wrong with exhibiting pride over what we do?

There seems to be more entrepreneurial people that are creating what they desire in their lives. Beyond this new work ethic that is sweeping the younger generation, sometimes, we don’t want to do it. It’s tiring to wake up early in the morning or stay up late into the night working on bringing an idea to fruition. Personally, I forget to eat sometimes because I’m so wrapped up in trying to work through the muse. Despite my late nights, if I don’t have concrete plans in the morning, I still find myself waking up early and trying to get another thing accomplished or at least start laying the foundations in my notes. I know I’m not the only one to do this.

Results are never overnight, nor are they guaranteed within a year. All that many of us can continue to do is to work through the stages and remember why we started.

I know that I’m trying to escape feeling confined to something and somewhere that bores me. After many years of working in quite a few interesting settings, I’ve grown privy to what speaks to my soul and what abuses it. I keep going because I’m tired of dreaming. Bills aren’t paid with daydreams. Things are only accomplished through action. There are too many talkers in this world. So many people are sharing their ideas of what they’re going to do instead of actually doing them. Then there are those that are misguided and believe that it takes less time to get something done. Some simply aren’t ready to face the hardships, but I would implore them, if the end result is going to bring them value, they should persevere.