Understanding Hustle Culture: Never Resting in the Pursuit of Success

Success is a condition that everyone wants to achieve. The definition and meaning of success can differ from one person to another, but in general, success means achieving goals or expectations. Some people consider themselves successful when they are able to accumulate a certain amount of money, own the latest model of car, have the most advanced gadgets, complete higher levels of education, or simply be able to give their loved ones what they desire. So, what does success mean to you?

Everyone has their own way of achieving success. Improving personal skills, studying diligently, attending various training programs, working overtime, and putting in many other efforts are common approaches. Not infrequently, people push themselves as hard as possible and eventually do not allow themselves to rest. Sleep is considered a weakness, meals become irregular, hobbies are abandoned, communication with loved ones is limited to spare moments only. In the end, what they experience is prolonged fatigue, stress, difficulty managing emotions, and the emergence of health problems such as blood pressure issues, digestive disorders, and heart disease.

This way of pursuing success is often referred to as hustle culture, the belief that success can only be achieved by working as much as possible and resting as little as possible. It is also often called burnout culture, workaholism, or toxic productivity, where the mindset becomes: if you’re not “sick,” then you shouldn’t stop working.

This culture clearly contradicts the concept of work-life balance, which many people strive for and which has been proven to promote greater well-being. Why do we become “trapped” in hustle culture? Hustle culture often occurs as a form of escape or coping mechanism from situations that feel uncomfortable.

For example, when someone is experiencing conflict with their partner, they may choose to work overtime and earn more money rather than address the conflict. Another example is a student who, in order to meet family expectations of achieving a high GPA, is willing to sleep only three hours a day and eat inadequately. If this continues, will success truly be achieved? The answer is no.

A body that is forced to constantly work and stay active will eventually weaken due to unmanaged stress, prolonged sadness, and unmet basic biological needs such as proper nutrition, sleep, and rest. This condition actually makes us less productive. It may feel like we’ve worked for hours, yet achieved little. Producing high-quality results becomes increasingly difficult. Unresolved problems and ignored emotions grow heavier, leading to deeper sadness and eventually mental health issues. When this happens, the success we long for never truly arrives.

Hustle culture can also arise from a flawed understanding of success. Success is not only seen as achieving goals, but also mixed with the belief that one must suffer or sacrifice excessively to be considered successful. For example, someone may work extremely hard to buy a house for their parents. However, if the way they work leads to illness and neglect of self-care, their loved ones would not truly be happy receiving such a gift.

What can we do to break free from hustle culture?

1. Take time to truly get to know yourself again. Redefine the goals you want to achieve, understand your reasons, and choose methods that suit you best. Don’t let other people’s standards shape who you become.
2. Strive to stay in a positive environment. Support from those closest to you can strengthen and empower you.
3. Practice balance in life. Rest does not make you weak. Our bodies have limits, and with proper rest, both your mind and body will feel refreshed, helping you become more productive.
4. Stop comparing yourself to others. Every individual is unique, including their indicators of success and the paths they take to achieve it. If people around you compare you to others, don’t make that your main reference. You know yourself best, ignore negative comments and focus on reaching your own goals.
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In addition, it is much better to evaluate yourself by comparing who you were in the past with who you are today. Prioritize your health and happiness first, and success will become much easier to achieve.