We live in a society where busy schedules are praised and quitting is condemned. While I agree that perseverance is essential to finding success, I’ve recently come to understand that quitting does not always equate to failure, and exhausting yourself does not always lead to success.
I was never raised as a quitter. My parents taught me early on to pride myself on my full commitment to everything I do. But knowing when to quit is important. I’ve been a dancer since I was three years old and have been competing in dance since I was 10. In my freshman year of high school, I was thrilled to have made AHS’ Varsity Dance Team. Right from the beginning, the team not only made me a better dancer, but it also made me a better person by teaching me discipline, drive, and pride.
Toward the end of my sophomore year, I came to a realization: while I adored dance and viewed my teammates as family, the team’s heavy workload left me unable to properly fulfill my number one priority – academics.
I felt ashamed and hurt to drop the sport that I had poured myself into, but ultimately decided that letting go of dance gave me the time and energy to pursue what I deemed to be more meaningful. I found that sometimes quitting isn’t a weakness; it’s a level of self-control and wisdom that is important to satisfy.
Hustle culture is the ideology that glorifies overworking, excessively strenuous schedules, and relentless productivity – often at the expense of well-being, self-care, and a balanced life.
NPR’s Isabella Rosario writes, “It’s fashionable to work yourself to death – or at least look like you are.” She’s right – pulling all-nighters or cramming every minute of your calendar is worn as a badge of honor, which is exactly why hustle culture is so dangerous.
But hidden behind this ‘badge’ are genuine consequences.
Hustle culture can lead to stress-induced physical and mental illnesses by spiking cortisol levels, disrupting sleep patterns, causing inflammation, weakening the immune system, and increasing blood pressure and heart rate. Stress is a normal phenomenon that can fuel ambition and be used to your advantage. Yet feeling stressed to the point that you’re physically or mentally ill isn’t – and shouldn’t – be normal.
Hustle culture also incites a sense of guilt when taking breaks, relaxing, or enjoying hobbies. Having the ability to guiltlessly unplug from the chaos of life fosters personal growth and self-awareness, enhances creativity and focus, and provides opportunities to recharge, process thoughts, and address personal needs.
Prioritizing work over self-care can also lead to a decline in physical and mental health and an inability to create a work-life balance. Schedules packed with constant exertion often don’t allow space for exercise or time outdoors – both of which are necessary to increase mood-boosting neurotransmitters such as dopamine or serotonin, lower stress hormones such as cortisol, increase energy levels, and maintain overall health.
The time and energy demanded by hustle culture can also erode relationships. Lacking the strength to socialize and put effort into personal connections can destroy personal connections, and limited free time to spend with friends and family can do the same. These elements, along with the potential for depression or genuine exhaustion, can lead to feelings of isolation that can be detrimental to one’s collective happiness.
Furthermore, a lack of adequate sleep is often a byproduct of overworking, which can be linked to decreases in cognitive function and an increased risk of accidents.
Hustle culture thrives because it promises validation, status, and even survival in this hypercompetitive world. For some, overworking is fueled by financial necessity rather than choice. Ambition itself is not the problem – drive and discipline are undoubtedly the most important keys to progress and success. What’s dangerous is equating worth with output.
It’s crucial to maintain balance by building rest into a schedule, protecting sleep the same way you protect deadlines, and carving out time for relationships. While it’s hard to remember this in the heat of the moment, rest is productive, too.
Success should not be quantified by the number of hours worked but by the value of the life you’ve lived. Hustle does not inherently lead to greatness… in fact, it usually leads to burnout. I discovered this truth when dropping dance, and I highly recommend doing the same: if something in your life (a class, sport, club, or commitment) causes you more stress than gratification, consider looking inward. True perseverance is knowing when something’s good for you and leaves you fulfilled, and understanding when stepping away is the healthiest option.
