The Problem with Hustle Culture — and What to Do Instead

There was a time when I thought being tired all the time meant I was doing something right. That my value came from always being “on.” That if I just pushed harder — woke up earlier, filled every hour, answered every email immediately — I’d eventually earn the peace I was chasing.

But the truth is: hustle culture sold us a lie.

A lie that says our worth is tied to output.
That burnout is a badge of honor.
That rest is a weakness — or worse, laziness.

But here’s what I’ve learned:

Burning out doesn’t make you more successful. It just makes you... well, burnt out.

I’ve met women who run companies, raise families, care for aging parents, and still feel guilty for sitting down with a cup of tea. Not because they aren’t doing enough — but because hustle culture tells them they never will be.

But hustle isn’t the same as purpose. Movement isn’t the same as progress.

So what do we do instead?

We lead differently.
We work slower — but smarter.
We create space for thinking, not just doing.
We ask better questions: Is this moving me toward who I want to be?
We rest without apology.

And we remember: your calm presence in the room is often the most powerful thing there.

You don’t have to chase.
You can attract.

That’s not laziness — it’s mastery.

— Elena Morelli

💭 Journal Prompt:

Where in your life are you mistaking busyness for meaning?