How Embracing Hustle Culture Can Lead to Genuine Happiness
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Chapter 1: Understanding Hustle Culture
In today's world, you're often bombarded with advice to slow down, enjoy life, and seek genuine happiness. Many will urge you to relax, warning of the potential for burnout. They encourage you to reject the toxic "Hustle Culture" promoted by various influencers and media outlets, especially those focused on making money online.
It's easy to be swayed by these sentiments, isn't it? To think that striving for financial independence through side ventures is merely a source of stress and ultimately unsatisfying. The notion that wanting to earn extra money is trivial and unimportant can be quite alluring. The truth is, pursuing a business venture outside of your regular job can be a challenging path.
Staying consistent is no small feat. Showing up daily to do the necessary work can be grueling. The early stages are particularly tough, often involving long hours with minimal financial return. Yet, there’s a profound sense of fulfillment that comes with this hard work. In fact, I believe that embracing your own version of "hustle culture" may be a key to achieving true happiness.
If you’re not aiming for something, what motivates you to get out of bed each day?
My Challenging Month
Recently, I found myself stepping back from content creation for about six weeks. To be honest, I was in a bit of a slump. An unexpected algorithm change drastically reduced my business revenue by 70% overnight, which was hard to digest. Consequently, I chose to take a break.
During this period, I didn’t publish any content on my YouTube channel since early August, and my overall output diminished significantly. But what did this break ultimately yield? A feeling of uselessness, boredom, and self-dissatisfaction, not to mention a significant loss in potential earnings from my side hustle.
Beyond financial concerns, I had distanced myself from two essential activities that contribute to a happy and fulfilling life: Movement (which includes exercise) and Creation (whether it be building a business, producing art, or crafting videos).
As I’ve discussed in previous writings about navigating mid-life crises, no genuine happiness lies at the end of a Netflix binge or hidden within social media feeds. Happiness isn’t found lounging on the couch or indulging excessively in wine or sweets. I believe humans aren’t designed for a sedentary lifestyle that modern conveniences have imposed upon us. If you don’t engage in physical movement and create something meaningful, you’ll struggle to reach your best mood and self-worth.
The Laziness Epidemic
Don’t believe that pursuing a side hustle is a path to contentment? Consider this: what would you be doing otherwise? Would you be mindlessly binge-watching shows, scrolling through Instagram, or investing countless hours in video games? What do these activities ultimately provide? The answer is nothing.
Technology companies excel at distracting us from our own success and happiness, leading us to spend hours mindlessly staring at screens. After such a period, your life remains static. You may be a year older, but your situation hasn’t improved.
The Reality of Hustle Culture Critics
Critics of hustle culture often feel uncomfortable with your ambitions. Your pursuit of something greater than a mundane job or typical screen habits may highlight their own lack of drive. This dynamic becomes especially evident when you attempt to make positive changes in your life, such as quitting alcohol; those who are uncomfortable with their own habits often criticize your efforts.
However, it’s essential to remember that these opinions are insignificant. If you’re determined to hustle, then do it. The concept of burnout is a myth when you are genuinely passionate about your work.
Thanks for reading! Have you encountered resistance from friends or family in your side hustle journey? Share your experiences in the comments!
Chapter 2: Insights from Experts
In this insightful video titled "Hustle culture kills happiness. Here's how to escape it," Laurie Santos discusses the potential downsides of hustle culture and offers strategies for finding a healthier balance.
The video "Soft Productivity: The Antidote to Hustle Culture" explores a gentler approach to productivity, suggesting ways to thrive without succumbing to the pressure of constant hustling.