Rest as a right, not a reward: Rebelling against hustle culture

In a time when productivity and hustle culture have been glorified, rest is constantly treated as a luxury instead of a necessity.

It has become something that can only be earned after back-breaking work, when one has pushed oneself to the brink. Hustle culture has only served to enlarge this phenomenon. A mindset is being practised- especially among students and young professionals - that rest must be justified.  One’s worth is equated with the output they can produce. Considering all this, it is necessary to understand that rest is not a luxury but a right. Reclaiming rest is resistance in the present world. It becomes an act of self-preservation in the face of hustle culture.

Hustle Culture

Hustle culture is a system that thrives on the glorification of overworking. If one is not constantly going from their main 9 to 5 job to working their side hustles and creating three sources of income, it is seen as not being productive enough. Not utilising all 24 hours of the day is seen as laziness. Even people who pick up hobbies are encouraged to monetise them, taking away the simple pleasure of practising them outside of economic activities. Hustle culture also disregards those who are physically unable to keep up with such a strenuous everyday life. It puts those already in a place of systemic inequality at a disadvantage. 

Mental Health Consequences

The mental health consequences of this culture are society-wide. Burnout, workplace stress, and anxiety are constant companions to those in the workforce. The post-pandemic workspace has worsened these symptoms, with remote work blurring the line between personal and professional life. These exacerbate the anxiety and depression that people may have. The need to constantly be productive without a break leads to internalised guilt when people take breaks. They feel like they should be doing something. This stress and guilt are symptoms that don't allow people to lead a healthy life. 

Rest as a right 

To understand rest as a right, we must first recognise rest as a necessity for a physically and mentally healthy life. Reclaiming rest as a right redefines success, from constant productivity to something that prioritises health, in both capacities. To practice a culture that prioritises rest includes encouraging regular breaks in schools, workplaces, mental health days, and a system that prioritises health over competition. 

In a society where rest is seen as a luxury, it is essential to normalise seeking rest whenever necessary. We should stop asking whether we have earned it when we already have.