The double-edged sword of 'hustle culture'

Topics mentioned: burnout, self-care, self-esteem, university, school, social media

About: The pressures of hustle culture can impact our mental health and self-worth. Here's how Luke is learning to get off 'the grind' and put his wellbeing first.

In a world that glorifies being ‘on the grind’, the relentless pursuit of success can often become a badge of honour. My life as it currently stands, balancing my studies with my role as News Editor for my university’s newspaper, has been a profound lesson in the perils of what we call ‘hustle culture’.

I’m often praised by those around me for being hardworking and relentlessly driven to chase my dreams. On the surface, that’s a pretty big compliment. People seem to look at me and think: “Yes, he’s got his life in check.” I like to think that’s true, considering it has almost become my defining characteristic and is central to how people see me.

Yet, behind the scenes, I’m often left pondering how my self-worth has become synonymous with my achievements. Things are all well and good when they go ahead as planned. But when they don’t, it all just feels like one great catastrophe.

I consider my time at university to be a microcosm of this wider phenomenon. Juggling my studies, social life, food, travel, and career aspirations has been a valuable lesson about priorities and over-commitment. The pressure to excel academically, socially, and professionally, when left unchecked, quickly becomes a consuming force. It’s a cycle of constant striving, where each achievement becomes a mere stepping stone to the next. Never a moment to savour, reflect or rest.

While celebrated by others, my ambition can begin to take its toll. Not only on my mental and physical wellbeing, but on my ability to appreciate how far I’ve come too. The moments of joy, opportunities for growth, and the simple pleasures of life become overshadowed by an undying to-do list. At times, I end up feeling disconnected, as I realise those around me appreciate the smaller, more fulfilling aspects of life, which I am denying myself.

Simply giving myself the time to be aware of this and having the opportunity to reflect has been vital. Through setting boundaries, prioritising self-care and learning to value rest as much as work, I’ve redefined what I call ‘success’ and embraced a more holistic view of productivity. I like to think of it as a shift from ‘doing’ to ‘being’, from relentless ambition to mindful living.

It's important to note that the detriments of hustle culture are not just personal; they are societal. Young people, especially young men, are particularly vulnerable to its allure. It’s often drilled into us that our value is measured by our ability to produce, excel, and outperform.

It’s something we pick up so early on through the school grading system, perhaps through our family and friends too. Along with the rise of social media and so-called ‘influencers’, it’s easy to see how the youth of today can get caught up in this culture.

My experiences have taught me that while ambition is a powerful motivator, it must be handled correctly. I’m finding that true ‘success’ in life stems not solely from my ‘achievements’, but from my ability to integrate them into a life rich with meaning and connection. Rethinking success in this way leads me to believe that life is less about the destination and more about the journey. I believe the journey itself is what I should truly be ‘grinding’ for.