Hustle Harder? I’d Rather Nap, Thanks.
Everywhere you turn, someone’s preaching the gospel of the grind. From Instagram reels to overpriced hardbacks by men named Chad, we’re told success only comes to those who sacrifice sleep, sanity and probably their spinal discs. Apparently, if you’re not running on three hours of kip and black coffee, you’re simply not trying hard enough.
But here’s the thing: I’m not buying it. And neither should you.
Who Decided Burnout Was Aspirational?
Somewhere along the line, our culture took a wrong turn. Instead of celebrating productivity with balance, we started idolising exhaustion. We began applauding people who treat rest like a weakness and view 18-hour days as a flex. This “sleep is for the weak” mentality crept in like a mouldy motivational poster, and honestly, it’s time we binned it.
We’ve all seen it:
- “I haven’t slept in 3 days, but I closed a £50k deal!”
- “I built a business while breastfeeding twins and doing a triathlon!”
- “Grind now, shine later!”
Well, maybe I’d rather shine now and not need six months off for adrenal fatigue in my forties. Call me radical.
Burnout Symptoms Are Not Just “Feeling Tired”
Before we go further, let’s get honest about what burnout actually feels like. It’s not just being knackered after a long week. Real burnout seeps into your bones, your personality, and your ability to care. You might be experiencing burnout symptoms if:
- You wake up more exhausted than when you went to bed
- Small tasks feel monumental (like replying to a text or opening an email)
- You feel detached or numb, even in conversations that used to matter
- Your inner monologue is basically a grey fog
- Motivation has packed its bags and gone without a forwarding address
- You cry randomly or feel weirdly emotionless
- Even resting doesn’t restore you
This isn’t laziness. This isn’t “not trying hard enough.” For many people, especially those who are neurodivergent, this is the reality of burnout symptoms and in particular, what’s now being widely recognised as Autistic Burnout. It’s a total system crash, not a dip in energy. And if you’ve been masking your needs, pushing through social overwhelm, or forcing yourself into productivity models that don’t suit you, your body will eventually pull the brakes, with or without your consent.
Know Your Limits, Or They’ll Introduce Themselves Anyway
Let’s be clear: working hard isn’t the issue. I work hard. You probably do too. Whether it’s business, parenting, caregiving, or surviving another Monday without swearing at a printer, we put the effort in. The problem is pretending we’re limitless.
Spoiler alert: we’re not robots. Even Beyoncé sleeps.
I function best when I’ve slept properly, eaten something other than biscuits, and am not teetering on the edge of a nervous breakdown. It’s taken me years and several cautionary tales to learn that “pushing through” often just pushes you off a cliff.
The Shame Game Of The ‘lazy’ Narrative
There’s a nasty little whisper that follows those who resist the burnout badge. “You must not want it enough.” “You’re lazy.” “Other people manage – why can’t you?”
Here’s why: because they’re lying. Or masking. Or quietly unravelling behind closed doors.
This narrative isn’t just toxic, it’s elitist. It assumes everyone has the same energy, resources, neurotype, and physical health. It ignores chronic illness, carer responsibilities, trauma history, and just plain human biology.
We’re not all wired the same. And thank God for that, or we’d all be sleep-deprived lunatics shouting into microphones about “alpha mindsets.”
Rest Is Resistance And Strategy
Let me drop a truth bomb: sleep is strategic. Clarity, decision-making, emotional regulation – all of these require a brain that isn’t fried like a chicken wing. I need 8-9 hours to function properly these days. That’s not indulgent. That’s maintenance.
Operating at your best requires space. Downtime. Breathing room. You wouldn’t drive your car on fumes and then wonder why it broke down halfway to Tesco.
So why do we do that to ourselves?
Reasonable Solutions For An Unreasonable World
Right. Let’s now look at some of the most absurd hustle-culture suggestions we’ve been fed and how to flip them on their overcaffeinated heads.
| Toxic Suggestion | The Reality Check | A Reasonable Alternative |
| Wake at 4am to win the day | Not everyone’s a rooster | Honour your own circadian rhythm. Early bird or night owl – just be consistent. |
| Sleep is for the weak | Sleep is for the smart | Prioritise rest like your success depends on it – because it does. |
| Work 100 hours a week | Congratulations, you’re ill now | Schedule breaks as seriously as meetings. Protect your time. |
| No days off if you’re serious | So serious you’ve got burnout | Use your days off to actually rest. No guilt. No inbox. No “just a quick check.” |
| Say yes to every opportunity | Hello, overwhelm | Learn to say no, it’s a full sentence, not an apology. |
| Grind now, rest later | Later = breakdown | Design rest into your workflow. It’s not a luxury, it’s a requirement. |
Creating Your Own Definition Of ‘success’
Success isn’t just about money, titles or how many unread emails you’ve survived. It’s about feeling whole. It’s about health, peace, and being able to look in the mirror without seeing a husk of your former self.
When you step away from hustle-culture ideals, you start asking better questions:
- What energises me?
- What drains me?
- What matters to me, not to society?
You start building a life that suits you, not some toxic Pinterest board labelled “girl boss.”
Permission To Opt Out (Granted)
So if you’ve been guilt-tripped into feeling like you’re not doing enough – stop right there. You don’t need to hustle yourself into a hospital bed to prove your worth. You don’t need to sacrifice your mental health for someone else’s idea of ambition.
You’re allowed to choose balance.
You’re allowed to rest without explaining yourself.
And you’re allowed to live a full, successful life without ever joining the 5am club.
Your life is your responsibility, and your playground. Don’t let burnout become your brand.
