Hustle Culture

What is hustle culture?

Hustle culture revolves around the idea that working relentlessly and pushing oneself over the limit is necessary for achieving goals. Sacrificing a personal life for career advancement becomes a norm, often resulting in burnout and neglecting other important aspects of life. In today's fast-paced and competitive world, hustle culture has become increasingly prevalent. It glorifies constant productivity, overworking, and sacrificing personal life for the sake of success.

When I embarked on my recovery journey, I realized that I had never felt a rise in confidence like this before. As I began dedicating myself to personal growth and professional endeavors, I discovered a newfound sense of purpose and a firm resolve. Seeing the positive impact of my hard work on my self-esteem and self-worth was empowering, and I became addicted to the validation and success that came with it. I had come to believe that being a workaholic was a badge of honor. "Look at my personal sacrifices and hours of work I have endured!" Little did I know that getting stuck in hustle culture would contribute to a substance relapse after years of hard work in addiction recovery.

The perpetual "need" to be available around the clock severely affected my mental health. I even worked "off the clock" quite frequently. This is what I thought was needed to advance. This is what I thought was the pathway to success.?

Indeed, It was not.

I have concluded that the answer is, instead, self-compassion and self-care. That is it.

Real self-care. Not just bubble baths and taking cruise vacations.?

While those special vacation days are important, self-care is not limited to grand gestures. It's about finding little moments of rejuvenation in your everyday life. Whether it's a few minutes of meditation, a walk in nature, practicing a hobby, or simply saying no to excessive demands, these small acts of self-care accumulate and create a foundation of well-being.

Finding a workplace that emphasized taking PTO and promoted self-care was just as important. No matter how many bubble baths I take, if I am in a toxic environment, it will still end the same. Change workplaces if it's affecting your mental health or recovery. Recovery is a top priority.?

Boundaries, baby. Boundaries.?

Boundaries are for me, not them. It is my job to reinforce the boundaries I have set. No one else does it for me. Others do not have to respect my boundaries. That doesn't matter. The boundaries I create decide what my limits are. For example, I learned how to let my phone ring and leave texts unread that come rolling in on the weekend from a client or other work-related contact. I'm no longer afraid to tell the boss, "No, I won't do that."?

We teach others how to treat us.?

Yup.?

Mind-blowing, I know. It was for me, at least.

Through my experience, I have come to understand the importance of finding a healthy balance for success in recovery. While hard work and dedication are necessary, neglecting self-care and personal well-being can have negative consequences. Acknowledging that self-worth is not solely tied to productivity and career success is essential. Finding a healthy equilibrium between work and personal life is crucial for long-term well-being and sustainable success.

But what about using work as a drug? Am I replacing my drugs and alcohol with work, of all things? I did that too. I still catch myself wanting to do it. Just because an addiction to work is acceptable and praised in our society doesn't make it any less damaging.?

At the end of the day, I have to ask myself- Do I have a healthy relationship with my work style? Is this affecting me and my life negatively? How about others? What are my motivations for working around the clock??

We've got to be honest with ourselves about everything we do, not just our use of drugs and alcohol. The results can be just as damaging and painful for some.

Recovery is about healing, growth, and finding balance. By prioritizing self-care, setting boundaries, and maintaining a positive work environment, we can avoid the pitfalls of hustle culture.

Remember that our worth extends far beyond our career accomplishments, and true success lies in living a balanced, MEANINGFUL life.?

Let me know what you all think in the comments!

- Lindsay?