Hustle culture has gained popularity in the current day. More people than ever are pushing themselves to work longer, harder, and faster. While having this perspective can help you succeed in some areas of life, it can also have unfavorable effects. It might be difficult for a young Christian to strike a balance between the demands of our faith and the pressures of our fast-paced culture. In this article, we will explore how to deal with hustle culture as a young Christian.
What is Hustle Culture?
Hustle culture is a mindset that glorifies overworking and pushing oneself to the limit. People who embrace this mentality believe that success can only be achieved through constant hard work and sacrifice (which is true to an extent). While the purpose of this article is not to condemn hustle culture in its entirety, but to bring to your awareness the negative aspects of the same and offer some practical tips to help deal with it.
Children as young as second and third graders are being pushed into the hustle culture by being given loads of homework apart from their study time at school so much so that they do not have time to engage in extra curricular activities. College students are being pushed to sacrifice their relationships and mental health by sacrificing their blood, sweat and tears into academics.
Overworking can lead to burnout, physical and mental health issues, and a lack of work-life balance. Hustle culture can also make people feel like they are never doing enough, which can lead to feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt
DEALING WITH HUSTLE CULTURE
Get Your Priorities Right
It's important to prioritize the things that matter most in life. As Christians, we should prioritize our relationship with God, our family and friends, and our personal and mental well-being. While it's important to work hard, we shouldn't sacrifice the things that matter most in life. Invest your time and energy into your relationships as much as you invest the same into your academics and career. Prioritize your relationships and health over anything else.
Embrace Rest and Self-Care
As Christians, it's essential to prioritize rest and self-care. God created the Sabbath for a reason, and we need to take time to rest and recharge. It's okay to take breaks, say no to extra commitments, and prioritize our physical and mental health. Take yourself out to a movie sometimes. Hang out with your friends. Take time to unwind and catch up on rest. Unless you get enough rest and care for yourself, you will not be able to give your best at your studies or job.
Focus on Your Spiritual Life
While it's important to work hard and pursue our goals, we should never neglect our spiritual life. We should prioritize prayer, Bible study, and attending church. These practices can help us stay grounded in our faith and give us the strength we need to face the pressures of hustle culture.
Avoid Comparing Yourself with Others
Social media can be a significant source of pressure when it comes to hustle culture. We see influencers and entrepreneurs who seem to have it all, and it can be easy to compare ourselves to them. It's important to remember that everyone's journey is different, and we shouldn't compare our lives to others. Also, you need to remember that what is portrayed on social media is often false and deceptive. The Gucci bag your favorite influencer posted on her Instagram could actually be her friend's that she borrowed for a quick selfie!
Seek God's Guidance
As Christians, we should always seek God's guidance in our lives. When we feel overwhelmed by the pressures of hustle culture, we should turn to God for guidance and strength. We should pray for wisdom and discernment in our decisions, and trust that God will guide us in the right direction.
Remember, as a Christian, it's essential to find a healthy balance between work and rest. We can work hard to achieve our goals while staying true to our faith values and living a fulfilling life.