I Used to Think Hustling Meant Winning. Then I Nearly Burned Myself Out.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been a "go, go, go" person. The kind who says yes to too much, mistakes busyness for productivity, and operates at breakneck speed because stopping—even for a second—felt like falling behind.
And for a while? It worked. Sort of.
I was always doing something. Writing, working, side-hustling, squeezing productivity into every available moment. I glorified speed, believed in hustle culture, and thought that if I just pushed harder, I’d reach success faster.
Then one day, I realized: I was exhausted.
Not the good kind of tired, like when you’ve just finished a workout or a rewarding project. No—this was deep, bone-level burnout. The kind where even the things I loved felt like a chore. The kind where creativity dried up and I found myself scrolling my phone aimlessly instead of writing anything worthwhile.
That’s when it hit me: I wasn’t actually getting anywhere faster. I was just running myself into the ground.
We Live in a World That Glorifies Speed. But at What Cost?
Hustle culture tells us that faster is better. That success belongs to the ones who push the hardest, say yes to the most, and sprint toward the finish line without stopping to breathe.
But here’s the truth:
✔ Speed isn’t the same as progress.
✔ Being busy isn’t the same as being effective.
✔ If you’re always sprinting, you’re eventually going to hit a wall.
And when it comes to creative work, personal growth, or building something meaningful, it’s not about quick wins—it’s about longevity.
It’s the difference between a sprinter and a marathon runner. One burns out fast. The other is built for the long haul.
The Year of Shedding Old Habits (And Learning to Slow Down)
This year, I’ve been thinking a lot about letting go of old habits—fitting, since it’s the Year of the Snake.
In many cultures, the snake is a symbol of transformation, a reminder to shed what no longer serves us so we can grow into something new.
For me, that means shedding the habit of overcommitting and embracing a slower, more intentional pace.
Because let’s be real—I used to pride myself on juggling a million things at once. I’d say yes to every project, every opportunity, every late-night brainstorm session.
It felt productive. It felt like I was winning the race.
Until I realized: What race? Who was I even competing with?
Some of my best ideas—whether in writing, business, or personal growth—didn’t come from sprinting. They came when I:
✔ Gave myself permission to pause.
✔ Created space to think.
✔ Allowed ideas to actually breathe.
Turns out, slowing down wasn’t a weakness. It was a strategy.
What Slowing Down Actually Means (Hint: It’s Not Stopping)
Slowing down doesn’t mean giving up or losing ambition. It means:
- Working with intention instead of just working for the sake of working.
- Resting without guilt because recovery is part of progress, not the opposite of it.
- Knowing when to push forward and when to pause.
Because let’s be honest—what’s the point of reaching your goals if you’re too burned out to enjoy them?
How to Pace Yourself for Long-Term Success (Instead of Sprinting Toward Burnout)
1️⃣ Pay Attention to Your Energy (Not Just Your To-Do List)
We love tracking tasks, deadlines, and milestones—but how often do we track our energy levels?
📖 Example: I used to ignore the signs of burnout until I was already crashing. Now? I pay attention. If I’m creatively drained, I don’t force it—I step back, recharge, and come back stronger.
(Pro tip: If you’re running on caffeine and willpower alone, that’s your body sending an eviction notice.)
2️⃣ Build in White Space (Because Rest Is Fuel, Not Laziness)
Some of the most brilliant ideas in history didn’t happen at a desk. They happened:
✔ On long walks.
✔ In the shower.
✔ While staring out a window, doing absolutely nothing.
📖 Example: Some of my biggest creative breakthroughs have come when I finally stopped trying so hard and just let my brain breathe.
(Also, let’s be real—if “staring out a window and thinking” was good enough for Einstein, it’s good enough for me.)
3️⃣ Relearn the Art of Saying No (Without the Guilt)
If you say yes to everything, you’re actually saying no to your own time, energy, and focus.
📖 Example: I used to feel guilty turning down opportunities. Now? I remind myself: every yes has a cost. If I say yes to something that drains me, I’m saying no to something that actually matters.
(Also, fun fact: Nobody actually dies when you say no. It’s wild.)
4️⃣ Trust the Process (Even When It Feels Slow)
We live in a world that celebrates instant results—but the best things take time.
📖 Example: Every time I’ve rushed a project, it felt productive in the moment but ended up needing twice as much revision later. The work that stands the test of time? That’s the stuff I let unfold naturally.
The best ideas aren’t forced—they’re nurtured.
The Power of Pacing Yourself
Slowing down doesn’t mean losing momentum—it means:
✔ Creating space for better ideas.
✔ Working in a way that’s actually sustainable.
✔ Enjoying the journey instead of just chasing the finish line.
So if you’re feeling the pressure to move faster, do more, hustle harder—maybe take a step back.
Ask yourself:
👉 Am I sprinting toward burnout, or am I pacing myself for something greater?
Because in the end, steady progress, done with intention, will take you exactly where you need to go.
Want to Build Sustainable Success? Here Are Some Great Reads
📖 Essentialism – Greg McKeown
A must-read on focusing on what truly matters.
📖 Rest – Alex Soojung-Kim Pang
A deep dive into how rest fuels productivity and creativity.
📖 Peak Performance – Brad Stulberg & Steve Magness
A guide to sustainable success and avoiding burnout.