Ambition drives our actions, pushing us to strive for more rather than settle. Amid today’s hustle culture, this mindset is praised and admired. Our success is measured by how much more we can gain physically, while disregarding the unpretentious parts of life.
Although the idea of taking breaks is often discussed, there is a constant pressure that you are simply not doing enough. Haven Wellness describes this as productivity anxiety. Boasting about working extra-long hours and maintaining continuous productivity has made the appearance of hard work seem more valuable than the actual output or quality itself—an illusion perpetuated by the media that guides this generation. The ideologies the internet feeds Gen Z overlook the value of patience, even though, as psychologist Sherrie Campbell notes, it is patience that cultivates excellence. A part of the “hustle” is getting to your goals as fast as possible, and to do so, you must work as hard as possible.
Although the idea of taking breaks is often discussed, there is a constant pressure that you are simply not doing enough. Haven Wellness describes this as productivity anxiety. Boasting about working extra-long hours and maintaining continuous productivity has made the appearance of hard work seem more valuable than the actual output or quality itself—an illusion perpetuated by the media that guides this generation. The ideologies the internet feeds Gen Z overlook the value of patience, even though, as psychologist Sherrie Campbell notes, it is patience that cultivates excellence. A part of the “hustle” is getting to your goals as fast as possible, and to do so, you must work as hard as possible.
Where is the line between hard work and laziness? Society has led many to believe that taking a break and being lazy fall under the same category. This mentality has been so ingrained that workers often feel ashamed of stepping away from their desks during long hours (Occupational Wellness). Being a hard worker isn't the problem; the issue lies in not knowing one’s limits. The toxicity of today’s hustle culture begins when guilt prevents us from taking breaks and living in the present moment.
To achieve balance, our bodies require seven different types of rest. Physical rest involves restorative activities such as stretching and massage therapy. A sign of needing mental rest, on the other hand, is constant exhaustion—even after hours of sleep. Including short breaks during a work period, as previously mentioned, helps to recover mentally. Sometimes, doing nothing does everything.
Sensory and creative rest involve disconnecting from screens and background noise altogether. This is why nature is at our disposal—created for us to enjoy. Surrounding oneself with healthy relationships is also a crucial part of emotional and social well-being, which is often ignored in our hustle culture. Lastly, spiritual rest—which extends beyond body and mind—can have a different meaning for each person, but it is just as necessary to replenish our bodies with the energy they need.
However, reclaiming rest is not simply about doing less—it’s about doing things differently. True rest does not always look like stillness; sometimes it means choosing activities that bring peace rather than pressure. Reading a book with no goal of finishing it, taking a walk without tracking your steps, or enjoying a quiet meal without scrolling on your phone are small acts of rebellion in a productivity-obsessed world. These moments reintroduce intention into our routines and remind us that rest can coexist with ambition. The key is not to reject productivity but to detach our self-worth from it.
In fact, rest and creativity are deeply intertwined. The mind cannot create when it is constantly consumed by deadlines and metrics. Some of the most innovative ideas emerge in moments of stillness—during a shower, a walk, or simply daydreaming. Neuroscientists refer to this as the default mode network, the part of the brain that activates when we are not actively focusing on a task. Allowing ourselves time to do nothing gives space for our thoughts to connect in new, unexpected ways. Paradoxically, slowing down often accelerates growth.
Rest also sharpens emotional intelligence. When we pause, we gain clarity about our feelings, our boundaries, and our motivations. We begin to notice how exhaustion shapes our behaviour—how irritability, impulsivity, or even apathy often stem from being overworked. Learning to rest is, therefore, not just self-care but self-awareness. It allows us to make better decisions, lead with empathy, and sustain the drive that hustle culture so relentlessly demands.
It’s also time to redefine ambition itself. Success should not be measured by exhaustion but by fulfillment. A person can be both driven and well-rested, passionate and peaceful. As more people begin to challenge the glorification of burnout, workplaces and universities are slowly recognizing the value of well-being as a foundation for sustainable success. The sweetness of doing nothing lies in learning to be present, to pause, and to let the mind wander freely—because in those quiet spaces, creativity often finds its way back to us.
At its core, the idea of hustling doesn’t carry a negative connotation; ambition and drive propel people forward. However, the issue arises when one no longer knows how to slow down while pursuing a goal. This goes deeper than discovering one’s work-life balance—it’s about redefining our mentality toward success and recognizing how much one is willing to sacrifice along the way.
Works Cited
Amy, & Amy. (2024, December 10). Do you have productivity anxiety? Haven Wellness Collective. https://www.havencollective.ca/2023/12/12/productivity-anxiety/
Buecheler, K., & Stefanski, J. (n.d.). The impatient generation. C Magazine. https://cmagazine.org/2018/12/14/the-impatient-generation/
Carnegie, M. (2023, April 19). The fading glamour of hustle culture. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20230417-hustle-culture-is-this-the-end-of-rise-and-grind
Dalton-Smith, S. (2024, July 25). The 7 types of rest that every person needs. ideas.ted.com. https://ideas.ted.com/the-7-types-of-rest-that-every-person-needs/
Redefining success in today’s world of hustle culture. (2025, January 3). The American Institute of Stress. https://www.stress.org/news/redefining-success-in-todays-world-of-hustle-culture/
WellRight. (2025, February 28). Hustle culture and mental health: Overcoming the toxic grindset at work. Employee Wellness Programs. https://www.wellright.com/resources/blog/hustle-culture-and-mental-health