Abstract:
My goal while writing this Opinion piece was to get whoever reads it thinking about the ways our lives could be better. I also felt that this topic applies and is relatable to almost any person who reads it. Anyone who reads and relates might feel the inspiration to advocate for better work conditions and attempt to make some kind of change.
It’s very common for any social media user to feel as if they are not doing enough. This is a direct result of something called hustle culture. Hustle culture connects our worth to how much work we can get done, how many things we can achieve, or how much money we can earn. “Hustle culture” glorifies non-stop labor, convincing people that their worth is tied to productivity. But hidden under all the prospects is an invisible force that we all know of as capitalism. A system that thrives on squeezing as much output as possible from its working class at any cost. Why is this bad, you might ask? If we continue down this path, we risk becoming alienated not just from our work but from our own lives. We also risk our mental health.
Capitalism has always prioritized efficiency and profit over workers’ well-being. This is clearly shown in the way that current corporate or service workers are driven to produce more labor without more compensation. Only the indirect promise that if you work harder, you may be promoted. In Anxious? Depressed? You might be suffering from capitalism: Contradictory class locations and the prevalence of depression and anxiety in the United States, researchers highlight how workers become disconnected from the fruits of their labor, leading to dissatisfaction and burnout. When labor is held against people as a way to survive, and they are forced to work nonstop to move up economically, in hopes of developing some sort of financial freedom, work becomes struggle. A lot of people work endlessly without ever seeing any improvement. People needing multiple jobs just to get by. People are now expected to monetize every aspect of their lives. While some may argue this promotes financial independence, in reality, it creates a culture of exhaustion, where rest feels like failure and self-worth is measured by how much one can produce.
The glorification of non-stop work takes a significant toll on mental and physical health. According to Work-Life Balance Statistics for 2024: A Global Perspective, 79% of employees report chronic workplace stress, with burnout reaching record levels. Long work hours lead to sleep deprivation, anxiety, and physical ailments like heart disease. The expectation to always be available, even through emails when out of office and outside of work hours, further blurs the line between personal time and work time. Eliminating the distinction causes workers to not get moments to take their work shoes completely off.
The idea that you need to always be working and productive also causes guilt around resting. A lot of people feel ashamed when taking breaks, leading to a cycle of exhaustion and decreased productivity. As Research Shows Hustle Culture Does More Harm Than Good points out, this culture does not breed innovation or success, it fuels stress, disconnection from one’s work, and especially produces people who are too drained to care about the quality of their work. Besides the effects it has on health, hustle culture stunts personal development and damages relationships. Work-Life Balance Statistics for 2024: A Global Perspective reports that 67% of workers with poor work-life balance cite work as the main reason for their struggles. When long hours consume personal time, people miss opportunities to participate in hobbies, things they like, or make them feel relaxed, and meaningful connections with others. Relationships suffer when work is prioritized over family and social life, leading to loneliness and emotional exhaustion.
To reduce the pressures of hustle culture, we have to redefine what it means to be successful. Success should not be measured by long work hours or the amount of income one can make by any means. Success should be defined by a balanced life where personal well-being is just as important as professional achievement. It must also be defined by the quality of work and pride in the work one produces. For this work, though, workplace policies have to change. Companies need to implement flexible work hours, fair wages, and mental health resources that prioritize employee well-being. Some businesses are already experimenting with four-day workweeks, an effort that has been shown to improve productivity while reducing burnout. This is easier said than done, and exactly why capitalism and what it is stands for is so harmful to an individual. On an individual level, people need to reject the glorification of overworking and attempt to further separate their work and their personal lives. Rest should not be considered a luxury; rest is necessary.
Works Cited
Prins, Seth J, et al. “Anxious? Depressed? You Might Be Suffering from Capitalism: Contradictory Class Locations and the Prevalence of Depression and Anxiety in the USA.”
Sociology of Health & Illness, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Nov. 2015,pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4609238/#:~:text=Alienation%20of%20workers%20from%20production,Roberts%201987%3B%20Seeman%201975).
Ruggeri, Christine. “Research Shows Hustle Culture Does More Harm than Good.” Leaders.Com, 16 May 2023, leaders.com/articles/company-culture/hustle-culture/.
Whiting, Geoff. “Work-Life Balance Statistics for 2024: A Global Perspective.” Hubstaff Blog, 24 Feb. 2025, hubstaff.com/blog/work-life-balance-statistics/.
