Do you know what "hustle porn" is?
Hustle porn" has nothing to do with sex. But it does have to do with the fetishisation of a questionable lifestyle.
Two years ago, I was working around the clock. I was employed for a certain amount of time and the rest of the time I was running around as a freelance journalist. That meant non-stop stress for me seven days a week. I got up early, worked on my projects before going into the office, only to hit the keys again after work until twelve o'clock at night. I never turned down a job offer, convinced that every bit of pressure and work would take me a step further. While my friends went out partying, I spent my nights in front of the screen - and I celebrated it. I've since left those days behind me and yet I only now realise what the idea behind this lifestyle is called: "hustle porn".
How expensive is success?
"To hustle" means something like "to work off". Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit, used the expression "hustle porn" during his speech at last year's WebSummit. According to Urban Dictionary, this refers to the fetishisation of extremely hard work. It is also referred to as a "hustle culture". The message behind it: If you don't suffer, you don't work hard enough and you won't be rewarded with success. A credo that many take to heart and glorify. The whole thing is fuelled by social media. This is where seasoned entrepreneurs such as Gary Vaynerchuk or Tom Bilyeu share their "recipes for success".
I also look to successful people for inspiration: their (audio) books, podcasts and YouTube videos are still part of my everyday life. However, unlike in the past, I now consume these media rationally and at the same time seek balance in content that encourages me to relax. Because I know that hard work doesn't always pay off. While all that overtime gave my CV a presentable makeover back then, my well-being went to the dogs, so I ended up seeking help from a psychologist. She put it in a nutshell at the time:
«You have to die a death.»
I only really understood what she meant today: you can never have it all. If you expose yourself to constant stress, sooner or later you will pay for it with your health. Type 2 diabetes, being overweight or underweight, cardiovascular disease and depression are just a few examples. And if you prefer to hear it from a successful person like Alexis: "Please do not let hustle porn win here and do not let it infect your brain".
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As a massive Disney fan, I see the world through rose-tinted glasses. I worship series from the 90s and consider mermaids a religion. When I’m not dancing in glitter rain, I’m either hanging out at pyjama parties or sitting at my make-up table. P.S. I love you, bacon, garlic and onions.