Three areas of self-reflection to unlearn the grind
Hustle culture teaches a specific path to success: constant grind, endless pursuit of more, hyper-focus on outcomes, and ideas that we must work ourselves into exhaustion to be valued and feel successful. Hustle culture is a collection of expectations of overwork, productivity, effort, and success which are informed by exploitative capitalism, patriarchal hierarchies, ableism, and white supremacy. For many BIPOC women, these messages about overworking are not just a personal struggle, but a societal expectation intensified by historical inequities, systemic barriers, and cultural pressures (McCurn, 2020). In a world where you are taught that your worth is tied to your productivity, stepping away from the hustle is an act of rebellion. That rebellion is not only against the messaging and systems around us that got us here but also against the way those systems infiltrate your personal beliefs and how you see yourself.
You can break free from the toxic cycle of hustle culture, reclaim your time, and prioritize your well-being. That is not to say that the oppressive systems that got us here should stay as they are. They need to change. But if you neglect your efforts in undoing the indoctrination within yourself, you run the risk of carrying hustle culture with you to the next step, replicating the pressure even when you have the freedom not to.
There are three important areas to address, in no particular order. All three work hand in hand and inform and support each other. Start with the area that feels most accessible and then move to the next one.
Re-examining the Origins of Our Goals
Hustle culture presents us with very enticing, well-marketed goals that are targeted specifically towards People of Color as worth striving for. Several industries offer the idea that material wealth and excess are the solution to societal inequity. Money indeed comes with power, but it does not equalize an unjust system. Hustle culture promotes the noble goal of creating “generational wealth” at the expense of our health, and quality time with family and loved ones. Sacrificing all of this time for generational wealth is a trap. Hustle culture will always create conditions where more money is required to keep up with the pace of these systems.
By reflecting on how your goals have been informed by these systems, you have an opportunity to find alternative paths. For example, if creating generational wealth is a goal for you, consider defining your legacy holistically, not only in a financial way. This self-awareness about what has informed your goals is important in breaking free from hustle culture’s grip.
Reflection Questions:
- Reflect on your top two major long-term goals. How does capitalism benefit from these goals?
- Our goals are often only about outcomes. Envision how you want to achieve that goal without overworking or self-depletion.
Redefining Self-Care
In an industry increasingly obsessed with wellness, it’s easy to confuse self-care with the latest trend or material product. True self-care goes deeper than bubble baths and pricey facials, although there is nothing wrong with those self-care choices. To break free from hustle culture, understand that self-care isn’t about boosting productivity, it’s about honoring your humanity. Don’t rest so you can do more; rest because you are human. Self-care preserves your dignity, ensuring you don’t lose sight of your worth in the pursuit of constant output. This distinction is not just a matter of semantics, it’s crucial. When you rest to increase productivity, you risk entering a cycle of burnout, taking breaks or vacations only to return to environments that deplete you. I’m sure you’re familiar with this quote from Elanor Brownn, “When you take time to replenish your spirit, it allows you to serve others from the overflow. You cannot serve from an empty vessel.” True self-care creates that overflow.
Self-care is best understood as a holistic practice that nurtures every aspect of who you are. It’s not so much about the specific tasks you engage in, but how you approach them. Self-care is not a luxury, though it can feel both luxurious and magical when you recognize that the tools of self-care you use are just that, tools. The real magic lies in you. When you release hustle culture’s hold on your self-care, you realize there’s no one-size-fits-all set of practices to follow religiously. The key is that self-care is personal, authentic, and practical, designed to support your transformation. It should be flexible, fit with your cultural background and values, and adapt to your growth and needs. The only truly consistent element of self-care is self-reflection. It’s through this reflection that you can adjust your practices to best serve your evolution.
In the midst of hustle culture, when you’re constantly busy, you can slowly nudge your way to freedom with self-care practices that are simple and perhaps not glamorous or Instagram-worthy. Don’t be afraid to get a little scrappy with your self-care. Practice yoga in your pajamas, take deep breaths in the car or find small, effortless moments to nurture yourself. The point is not perfection but making space for care in a way that feels natural and accessible.
Reflection Questions:
- How is your current approach to self-care informed by hustle culture?
- How does it feel for you when you are in the “overflow state?”
Building Capacity for Change
One of the most insidious aspects of hustle culture is how it drives so many women to take on new challenges without first building the capacity to sustain them. Whether you’re leaving a corporate job to start a business or striving for a better work-life balance, it is easy to repeat old patterns when you haven’t allowed yourself the time or space to expand your ability to handle change. Hustle culture has probably eroded your patience with yourself, making you believe that progress must always come at a relentless pace (Kumar, 2024). In reality, that pace is often unsustainable and inhumane. It’s time to slow down and give yourself the grace to grow at a healthier, more sustainable rate.
If you’ve identified something you want to change in your life, take the time to fortify yourself, prioritize self-care, and create space for wellness before making any shifts. While the patience required for this approach might feel challenging, it’s worth it. Hustle culture has conditioned us to believe that growth, progress, and success must always come through struggle. They don’t. When you invest in replenishing yourself and holistically nurturing your well-being, any change you pursue will not only be more sustainable but also more authentic, rooted in self-assurance rather than fear or desperation.
Reflection Questions:
- Check in with your capacity regularly. Where are you stretched thin, and in what areas do you have some room?
- Examine your relationship with patience. How can you cultivate patience in your everyday life?
While the undoing of this indoctrination can take years, stay encouraged. Each part of the process is a step towards freedom; for you and all of us.
It’s time to reclaim your power and redefine what it means to live a fulfilling life, free from the oppressive cycles of hustle culture. Your journey with wellness is intimately connected with the journey of others. Your self-care is a puzzle piece in our collective liberation.
Brownn, E. (n.d.). Most Popular Quotes by Eleanor Brown. Eleanor Brownn. http://www.eleanorbrownn.com/
Kumar, Dr. S. (2024, April). Patience: Catalyst for Personal Transformation. International Council for Education, Research and Training. https://icertpublication.com/index.php/eduphoria/eduphoria-vol-2-issue-2/
McCurn, A. S. (2020, May 13). Surviving the grind: how young black women negotiate physical and emotional labor in urban space. Taylor & Francis Online. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02732173.2020.1760155
