Did you know that practicing self-care and prioritizing your fulfillment can actually increase your productivity and lead to greater success? So, why are you still overworking yourself like it’s some badge of honor?
We live in a world that promotes hustle culture. Our society tells us that working hard is the key to success, that we must push aside what brings us personal fulfillment in order to meet certain standards, and that we should prioritize serving others before serving ourselves.
However, all of this messaging is precisely why we often feel burnt out and disconnected from ourselves. It can put a lot of pressure on us and leave us feeling stressed, anxious, and overwhelmed.
So today, we’re going to talk about deconditioning yourself from hustle culture and prioritizing self-care. Let’s dive in!
Are You Pushing Yourself Too Hard? Signs of Burnout to Look Out For
Hustle culture promotes working long hours in a fast-paced environment with the promise of rewards equated with success. However, this easily creates the habit of pushing yourself to the point of burnout.
Let’s take a moment to reflect: How many times in the last week did you skip a meal or eat lunch at your desk? How many days did you get at least 8 hours of sleep? How much water have you had today? And when was the last time you took some time for sexual pleasure? These four basic needs are essential for your well-being and to avoid physical burnout.
It’s easy to forget about them when you’re pushing yourself too hard. This can lead to feelings of exhaustion, irritability, and lack of motivation. At times, you may feel like you’re not doing enough and keep pushing yourself to do more. You may believe that becoming more motivated and productive will eventually lead to the success you desire. But in reality, it’s essential to take breaks and focus on self-care to avoid burnout.
The importance of taking breaks and focusing on self-care
If you’re feeling exhausted, irritable, or lacking motivation, it might be time to take a break. It’s your intuition’s way of telling you to slow down and take care of yourself. Anxiety, pain, digestive issues, and getting sick are all signs that your body is trying to tell you the same thing. So, please take a moment to stop and acknowledge if you might be in a pattern of pushing yourself too hard.
Sometimes, when you are burnt out, it is necessary to completely stop all the overworking you have been doing and prioritize the level of self-care that you need. Hopefully, you can recognize these signs early on and start creating habits of self-care. By prioritizing self-care, I do not mean anything fancy like getting weekly massages or taking an expensive vacation. What really matters are the simple things.
If you are not prioritizing eating 3-6 meals a day, drinking at least 8 glasses of water, sleeping 8 hours a night, and getting at least 30 minutes of movement in a day, it is time to start. Meeting these basic needs should always be your top priority, before anything else.
Here are some things that you can do to make that happen:
- Set an alarm on your phone for meal times and be sure to follow it.
- Pre-plan your meals and snacks, and make food easily accessible to you.
- Use a water tracking app or get yourself a large water bottle to sip from throughout the day.
- Develop good sleep habits, such as turning off electronics earlier before bed. Train your body to sleep for a full 8 hours.
- Take three 10-minute walks per day.
- Choose an exercise you enjoy and move your body regularly.
Remember that taking care of your basic needs should always come first, before anything else. If you’re neglecting them, it may be time to decondition yourself from hustle culture and stop making excuses for why other things are more important. By prioritizing self-care, you’ll actually increase your productivity and find more fulfillment in all areas of your life.
In conclusion, deconditioning yourself from hustle culture and prioritizing self-care is crucial for your well-being and success. By recognizing the signs of burnout and taking steps to prioritize your basic needs, you can increase your productivity and find fulfillment in all areas of your life. Remember to take breaks, listen to your intuition, and prioritize self-care above all else. It’s time to let go of the idea that overworking is the key to success and embrace a healthier, more balanced approach to life.
