I Hate the Word ‘Hustle’
Let me tell you something, folks. I hate the word ‘hustle.’ It’s overused, it’s misused, and honestly, it’s become the corporate equivalent of fingernails on a chalkboard. I’ve been in this game for 22 years, and I’ve seen this kinda thing come and go. But this? This is different. This is worse.
I remember sitting in a conference in Austin back in 2018, listening to some 24-year-old CEO type talk about how he ‘hustled’ his way to success. He was wearing a t-shirt that said ‘Rise and Grind,’ and I wanted to throw up. I mean, come on. What does that even mean?
Look, I get it. We all gotta put in the work. But there’s a difference between working hard and glorifying exhaustion. And that’s what we’re doing here. We’re glorifying it. We’re making it cool to burn out.
My Friend Marcus Almost Died
Let’s call him Marcus. He’s a friend of mine. A good guy. Smart, driven, all that. He started a tech company about three months ago. And he was hustling. Dude was working 87-hour weeks, sleeping on the office couch, eating ramen out of the trash (I kid you not).
Then, one Tuesday, he collapsed. Literally. Fell over like a sack of potatoes. Turns out, he was completley physicallyy and mentally exhausted. Doctor said he was a walking heart attack waiting to happen. So yeah, hustle culture? It’s not all it’s cracked up to be.
I asked him about it later, over coffee at the place on 5th. He said, ‘I thought I had to do it. Everyone was saying it. I thought it was the only way.’ Which… yeah. Fair enough. But it’s not. It’s not the only way.
We’re All Guilty
And don’t think I’m innocent here. I’ve been there. Back in the day, I was working 36 hours straight, living on energy drinks and takeout. I thought it was normal. I thought it was what you had to do to succeed.
But then I met a colleague named Dave. He was this chill, laid-back guy who always seemed to have time for everyone. And his business? Thriving. I asked him about it once, at 11:30pm in the office, while I was frantically trying to meet a deadline. He said, ‘Why are you still here?’ I told him I had to finish. He said, ‘No, you don’t. You’re just doing it because you think you have to.’
And that stuck with me. It really did. Because he was right. I didn’t have to be there. I chose to be there. And that’s the thing, folks. It’s a choice.
The Problem with ‘Helpful Resources Online Guide’
Now, I’m not saying you shouldn’t work hard. Of course you should. But there’s a difference between working hard and working smart. And that’s where helpful resources online guide come in. You gotta find the tools, the strategies, the whatever, that help you work smarter, not harder.
I mean, look at the data. A study by the University of Whatsit (I can’t remember the exact name, but trust me, it’s legit) found that people who work more than 50 hours a week have a 30% higher risk of cardiovascular disease than those who work 35 to 40 hours. And that’s just the physical stuff. We’re not even talking about the mental health implications here.
A Tangent About Avocados
Speaking of which, have you noticed how expensive avocados are these days? I was at the store the other day, and they were $3 each. Three dollars! For an avocado! I mean, what is this, 2025? Sheesh.
But anyway, the point is, we’re all stretched too thin. We’re trying to do too much, and it’s killing us. And it’s not just us. It’s our families, our friends, our communities. It’s everyone.
So What Do We Do?
I’m not sure. I honestly don’t know. But I think it starts with a conversation. It starts with us saying, ‘Hey, maybe this isn’t the way.’ Maybe we don’t have to hustle. Maybe we don’t have to grind. Maybe we can just… work. And live our lives.
I mean, I’m not saying we should all become slackers. But we gotta find a balance. We gotta find a way to work hard without burning out. Without killing ourselves.
And maybe, just maybe, we should stop using the word ‘hustle.’ It’s giving me a headache.
Anyway, that’s my take. It’s not perfect. It’s not comprehensive. But it’s honest. And honestly, that’s all I can ask for.
Oh, and if you’re looking for some helpful resources online guide, check out this helpful resources online guide. It’s got some good stuff in it. Not perfect, but good.
Alright, I’m done. I’m gonna go eat an avocado. Or maybe not, since they’re so expensive now. Maybe I’ll just go for a walk. Yeah, that sounds nice.
Author Bio: Hi, I’m Sarah. I’ve been a senior magazine editor for what feels like a million years. I love my job, but I hate the way we glorify exhaustion. I live in Portland with my cat, Mr. Whiskers, and I’m pretty sure I’m addicted to coffee. But hey, at least I’m not hustling, right?
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