Ever caught yourself answering “How are you?” with an exhausted “Sooo busy!” like it’s some kind of achievement? Friend, we need to talk about why hustle culture has us all convinced that an overflowing calendar somehow equals success.
By Cora Pursley l Dupe
How we got trapped in the glorification of busy
Since the rise of hustle culture and its “rise and grind” mentality, being perpetually busy has become our society’s strange status symbol. The fewer gaps in our schedules, the more important we feel. We’ve somehow convinced ourselves that our worth is directly correlated to how overwhelmed we are, and let me tell you, that’s a one-way ticket to burnout culture.
I’ll be the first to admit that I used to intentionally overschedule myself to feel like I’m actually doing something with my life, and otherwise, I’d feel so guilty for simply resting.
As Tim Kreider, writer of “The Busy Trap,” brilliantly puts it:
People are addicted to busyness and dread what they might feel in its absence.
So relatable! How many times have we filled our days to avoid sitting with our thoughts or confronting uncomfortable truths about our lives?
Toxic productivity
Here’s what is really happening behind all those packed schedules: we’re wearing stress like a designer handbag. That familiar phrase, “I’ve been so busy and stressed,” has become our collective humble brag, our way of signaling importance that associates rest with laziness, rather than something natural human beings should experience daily.
The problem? This toxic productivity mindset is literally making us sick. Our bodies weren’t designed for constant stress. When we glorify being overwhelmed, we normalize a state that shouldn’t be normal for us as human beings.
What’s even more concerning is how comfortable we’ve become with this discomfort. We’ve normalized feeling stressed, overwhelmed, and stretched thin. We’re convinced ourselves that this is what success feels like, and that this is the unavoidable price of achievement.
Social media feeding the work grind
Let’s about about those perfect “day in my life videos flooding our social feeds. You know the ones: featuring super well-dressed influencers who somehow manage to work full-time, meal prep, work out five times a week, maintain a social life, pursue three hobbies, and still have time for an elaborate skincare routine.
These highly edited glimpses into supposedly “busy” lives have manipulated us into believing our own balanced existence is somehow lacking. The work grind portrayed on social media rarely shows the behind-the-scenes reality.
What these reels don’t show is that for many content creators, making content about their productive lives is their job. They’re literally paid to make their lives look aspirational. And yet, we’re comparing our unfiltered reality to their highlight reels.
Why we need to break up with burnout culture
I’ve learned something essential in my journey away from burnout culture: we are not machines. Our value doesn’t come from output or productivity. We’re inherently worthy simply by simply existing. While I’m also realistic here, we have life obligations and bills to pay. Being uncomfortable and stressed sometimes is unavoidable in life, and that’s why we don’t need to literally add to it; there’s a way to live a softer life while still staying productive and working towards your goals.
We all get the same 24 hours, but different responsibilities, resources, and circumstances drastically affect how hours can be used. The key isn’t trying to pack more into your day, it’s identifying what truly matters to you and making space for those priorities.
How to escape the “toxic productivity” trap
1. Reclaim your agency
The first step to breaking free from hustle culture is recognizing that you have more control over your time than you might think. Yes, there are obligations we can’t avoid, but there’s almost always room to make different choices about how we spend our energy.
2. Practice mindful presence
When we’re caught in the work grind, we’re rarely fully present. We’re thinking about the next task, the next meeting, the next deadline. Learning to be fully present, even for a few minutes a day, can transform your relationship with time.
3. Nourish your body and take care of your health
It’s nearly impossible to resist burnout culture when you’re running on empty. Proper nutrition, hydration, and movement aren’t luxuries, they’re necessities. Your body needs a good amount of fuel to function, especially when having a lot on your plate.
4. Change your language
Notice how often you say “I’m so busy” or “I don’t have time”. These phrases reinforce your identity as someone who’s so overwhelmed and lacking time. Instead, try saying “that’s not a priority for me right now” or “I’m choosing to focus on other things.”
5. Create small moments of joy
Even in the middle of necessary responsibilities, finding tiny pockets of delight or what I like to call “having my personal dopamine menu“. It could even be a 10-minute morning walk and a slow coffee ritual before diving into the day. These small anchors give me things to look forward to in my day.
Final thoughts on how we measure success
What if we have other things we can measure success on, more than the amount of money we’ve made or promotions? If it can be something like how aligned our days feel with our values? What if we celebrated having some time in our schedules rather than every minute being accounted for?
Breaking free from toxic productivity doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a gradual process of unlearning harmful messages about worth and productivity. But trust me when I say the other side, where rest is valued and “busy” isn’t a badge of honor, is so much more fulfilling.
Remember: You are not what you produce. Your worth isn’t measured by your output. And some days, the most productive thing you can do for yourself is rest.
What small steps will you take today to break free from hustle culture? I’d love to hear in the comments below!