I was at the office while writing this story. But the day before was a national public holiday.
I believe that it wasn’t just me who was excited when we had a public holiday on weekdays. For me, I always use my weekends to cook or bake, and with the public holiday, I thought that I would cook or bake on that day. Unfortunately, I woke up at 2 PM, which was already a half day. Feeling guilty, I tried to reassure myself that it was normal to have a resting day, but somehow I felt like I wasn’t productive enough.
Nowadays, we are familiar with hustle culture or productivity culture.
Is it wrong? I wouldn’t say yes, but it’s not wrong either.
I have that uneasy feeling about being unproductive on the weekend or holiday, so I have to keep busy during the day that should be my resting day, which is starting to be unhealthy. Digging to the root cause, why do I feel that way? There are a few reasons I felt guilty of being unproductive even on weekends/holidays, but I will focus on the main cause.
I’ve read a lot of definitions of hustle culture and found this one that could generally relate to some of us. Quoting from My Careers Future, basically, hustle culture is all about always pushing yourself to succeed through hard work. But what makes it different is that it’s not just about working hard; it’s also about making sure nothing stops you from being successful. We worked hard and harder each day, wishing that we would reach our goals sooner, but little did we know that it consumed us. I started to think that taking a rest on weekends was going to hinder me from success, I baked and cooked on weekends so that I could improve my skills and build my FnB business as soon as possible. But after doing all the work, I started to feel exhausted and drained, which is not so good with all the efforts I put in. It felt like I forced myself to do all the things and at the end of the day, I felt like I still didn’t do enough.
These days, we’ve seen that successful people we see on the internet are subjected to their productivity. You might, or might not seen the posts on TikTok or Instagram of influencers that vocalize their success through working with more than two jobs at a time and pushing themselves to the limit. I actually felt motivated by that kind of post, but after trying to be like it, I was drained. The thing is, it’s up to you whether you want to do more than one job or else, but remember, that you also have your limit. Know your limit first, then you can choose what’s best for you. Remember that what you see on the internet does not always reflect reality.
In conclusion, the pressure of hustle culture and productivity might weigh heavily on individuals. My personal experience has led me to reflect on the destructive effects of constantly pushing oneself to succeed, even at the expense of rest and well-being. Society’s glorification of overwork and relentless pursuit of success can lead to burnout and dissatisfaction, ultimately hindering our overall well-being and happiness.
It’s essential to remember that true success has more aspects than just professional achievements. It embodies fulfillment, contentment, and a sense of inner peace. Knowing our limits and prioritizing self-care is not a sign of weakness but a necessary component of a healthy and fulfilling life.
So, the next time you feel guilty for taking a much-needed break or prioritizing self-care, remember that rest is not a reward for productivity but a fundamental human need.
In the end, what matters most is not how much we accomplish but how we nurture our minds, bodies, and souls.
Let’s fight for a world where success is measured not just by productivity but by our ability to live fully and authentically.
