How hustle culture negatively affects your life and is especially toxic for women
Hustle culture is toxic. How do I know? Because no one can define what “hustle” means, and yet we all know it when we see it.
What is hustle culture?
Hustle culture is a term that’s used to describe an ethos of working hard and doing whatever it takes. But the hustle doesn’t stop there; it also includes an obsession with success, which can be defined as making money or achieving status.
In other words, hustling means being ambitious—but not in the way you might think. Just because someone isn’t doing well doesn't mean they're not hustling; they probably just don't have enough ambition yet! The biggest problem with this is that some people are born into wealth while others are born into poverty—and those who are born into poverty often lack the resources necessary to "hustle" their way out because society doesn't provide them with such opportunities.
How hustle culture affects your life.
Hustle culture tells us that we need to do more: more work, more projects and tasks, more networking, and socializing. It pressures us to take on the role of an “expert” in a field—the author of our own success story—which can lead to burnout and stress.
If you feel like you are constantly hustling without seeing any results, it can be demoralizing. You might even start believing that there's something wrong with you or your business because it isn't growing fast enough for everyone else's standards (or yours). Spoiler alert: it’s not true.
Hustle culture’s impact on women.
Unfortunately, women are more likely to be affected by hustle culture. According to the U.S. Social Security Administration, women have a longer life expectancy than men, which means they're also more likely to experience mental health issues like depression and anxiety as they age. But when you consider that hustle culture often puts the onus on women—who are expected to take care of everyone else in the family—it's no surprise that many find themselves burnt out and stressed out even before retirement age.
In fact, a study from Pennsylvania State University found that women entrepreneurs were three times as likely as their male counterparts to suffer from stress-induced heart problems due in part because they tend not only to bear greater social responsibilities (like childcare) but also have less access than men do when it comes time for promotions or raises at work.
The problem with hustle culture.
The problem with hustle culture is that it places an enormous amount of pressure on you to do more, be better, and keep up with the demands of your job. You're told that if you're not working hard enough or if you don't have a strong enough work ethic, then you just aren't doing it right.
This kind of thinking can lead to serious mental health problems like depression and anxiety—and contribute to other physical symptoms such as heart disease or chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). The stress associated with hustle culture also has a negative impact on relationships: it prevents people from being able to spend time together because they're always chasing the next opportunity for success.
How to disconnect from hustle culture.
Take a break. Don't be afraid to stop and take a breath, even if it's just for 10 minutes in the middle of the day or an hour every weekend. Don't be afraid to say no, especially when you've been working nonstop on something that won't give you much benefit in the long run. And don't be afraid to take a nap—the best ideas come after waking up refreshed! Take time off whenever necessary: there are no exceptions; even if it feels like an inconvenience, take care of yourself first because otherwise, your health will suffer—and then where will all that hustle get us?
Counteract toxic hustle culture.
So, if you’re feeling like the hustle is killing you and that your life has lost its meaning, it might be time to slow down.
But don’t worry! There are plenty of ways that we can all counteract this toxic culture. For example: take some time off from work; go outside and breathe in some fresh air; connect with friends and family members who make you feel good about yourself; take a break from social media (or delete it entirely!)
