Rise And Grind: Hustle Culture Is Not The Flex You Think It Is
By: Cory Utsey
There is something about the hustle that many people find enticing.
Regardless of what exactly one’s hustle might be, many have subscribed to the idea that complete and total dedication to a specific craft is vital for success--regardless of how unorthodox or unhealthy some of these methods might be.
“Rise and grind” culture, which is also known as “hustle culture”, often stands at the forefront of this mindset. Defined as the belief that incessant work and work ethic are necessary to succeed, it ultimately implies that basic needs such as sleep, socializing and relaxation come second to one’s work.
The pressure to constantly be involved with some type of work or work-related project is understandable, as we are often conditioned to measure our self-worth and validity on how much we accomplish by tangible means; if an accomplishment cannot be touched or photographed, we are often led to believe that it might as well be nonexistent.
But right now more than ever, there is much to be proud of one’s self for.
Every time that you wake up, get out of bed and push through, you have accomplished something. And even on the days where the simplest of tasks seem impossible, the mere effort to complete them is an accomplishment.
The pandemic, along with many other injustices and inequalities that different communities face, has contributed to a world that is almost completely upside down right now. Therefore, any attempt at functioning in this world is something to be proud of.
Additionally, it is important to remember that you have absolutely nothing to prove to anyone.
People will have their unsolicited opinions, project their insecurities onto you and upkeep ridiculous standards as they please, but this does not mean that you are obligated to prove them right or wrong.
Although we navigate the world with different people at our side and in our vicinity, we do not exist to please these people, nor do the beliefs of these people have any agency over our success. Working to impress them serves virtually no purpose in the long-run.
But even with these factors aside, one must consider that it is nearly impossible to succeed at doing anything when the health of one’s body and mind are kicked to the curb.
Rest is necessary. Relaxation is necessary. Casual socialization is necessary. You cannot expect your brain and body to work for hours on end when you are continuously running on E.
The fact of the matter is that solace, peace and validation can be found outside of tasks that are done for profit. Hustle culture might be a temporary fix in finding fulfillment, but it is not the end-all-be-all solution. Work is necessary for many people to live, but this does not mean that one must live to work.
So revel in all accomplishments, whether big or small. Take a deep breath. Enjoy living.
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