Welcome to the 21st century, where the hustle culture has taken over the lives of many young souls. We’ve become a generation that isn’t able to find a healthy work-life balance and instead, we define our self-worth by what we accomplish in the workplace.
I’ve come to realize that I barely have the time to accomplish mundane tasks such as walking my dog, decluttering my closet or even visiting my family members, because I’m usually burned out. I’ve internalized the idea that I should be working all the time, even outside my 9 to 5 job because everyone around me has reinforced the idea of the 24/7 hustle.
Via Unsplash
If we take a step back for a second, we’ll find out that the hustle culture is not a new practice but with the rise of technology digital media has changed expectations of how and when we communicate, leading to a renewed acceptance of hustle culture. Social media especially has played a big role in the rise of the hustle culture. Not only has it given our generation a way to showcase their best, and oftentimes inauthentic, versions of themselves, but also, it has created an environment of 24/7 connectivity, comparison, and ultimately competition.
Don’t get me wrong, hustling, or working hard at something you’re passionate about, isn’t a bad thing, but you have to put in mind that finding a work-life balance is also crucial. You should also be allowed to have time and energy to explore your non-work passions like exercise, reading, music,or whatever it is. At the end of the day, there’s nothing wrong with the hustle, but if you’re ending the day worn out and sacrificing your well-being, it’s time to reassess the way technology might be impacting your work-life integration. Technology should be a tool to find balance, not burnout.
