Editor’s Note

Dear World, (this is a long one)

Whether or not we’d like to admit it, we exist in environments that dismiss the need for purposeful rest. In response, we punish ourselves, wrestling with regret and guilt, because we’ve been conditioned to believe that rest isn’t productive – the flawed narrative suggests that if we’re not constantly moving, we must be lazy and unambitious.

Even in conversations with friends, family, and colleagues, we hear the familiar refrain: “We have the same 24 hours in a day as Beyoncé, Rihanna, Oprah…” as if their success is solely a matter of time management. What’s often left unsaid is that these figures have an army of people supporting them, enabling both productivity and the possibility of rest. Whether they actually take that rest is another matter entirely.

Hustle and a strong work ethic are valuable, but so is balance, and ignoring it comes at a cost. I remember in Jamaica, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, many companies professed concern for their employees’ well-being, emphasising health over productivity. Yet, the moment COVID was no longer classified as a pandemic, it became clear what truly mattered: getting the work done. Remote work faded, and new pressure mounted on the workforce to drive productivity for national economic growth. But at what cost? What do we truly have to sacrifice in the name of productivity?

Work fatigue is real and dangerous. Research backs this up.

• A 2024 study in the International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Invention found that two-thirds of high school students experience hustle culture, driven by career ambitions and peer influence. This suggests hustle culture isn’t just an adult problem, it’s ingrained from a young age, shaping how students approach academics and achievement.

• A 2024 literature review published in the American Institute of Physics (AIP) Conference Proceedings examined hustle culture’s impact on mental health, revealing how societal pressures to overwork contribute to stress, burnout, and declining productivity.

• The International Labor Organization (ILO) reported that 32.8% of workers from a sample of 58,115 suffered work-related fatigue due to excessive workloads. Meanwhile, data from Badan Pusat Statistik (BPS) Indonesia found that 24.78% of workers regularly put in more than 48 hours per week, placing them at risk for serious physical and mental health issues.

Though this guest post appears on a platform known for lighthearted and fun-loving content, its underlying message is serious and necessary. Of course, the issue is nuanced, as some people, companies and countries truly do prioritise the balance between rest and productivity.

We’re not attempting to do a deep academic dive. It merely serves as an invitation to reflect. See how Richelle unpacks this issue through her personal experience and insights.

Though the messages written, edited, and shared by Suburban Guests may resonate with The Suburban Girl JA®, they are not our own and they do not necessarily reflect the thoughts and ideals we value.

Signed,

The Suburban Girl JA®

---

Learning When to Pause Amidst ‘Hustle Culture’

For as long as I have known myself, I have always been reliable; I keep my word no matter how long it takes! I am a stickler for honouring your word and fulfilling it. So, I live what I preach and provide very little lip service.

I’m usually working to meet deadlines and keeping up with other activities. However, it has been a struggle to maintain that, and I’ve been quite critical of myself as I know when I’m not performing and it gets frustrating. However, in this season of thriving, I’m also trying my best to extend grace to self. I find that we are quick at extending grace to others but not ourselves.

There’s a certain pride that comes with being a go-getter; the early riser, the late sleeper, the one always “on it.” Hustle culture has taught us to measure success by how busy we are, how booked our calendars look, and how many side projects we’re juggling at once. While ambition is beautiful, somewhere along the way, many of us forget how to rest. This includes me and I’m sure that you, the person reading this, fall in this category too. We forgot that balance isn’t weakness, it’s wisdom.

I’ve learned this the hard way.

The Wake-Up Call

I once had a group presentation for school where I woke at six in the morning and sat by my computer for hours preparing my section to synch with my group members. I took very few breaks for the necessities like showering, eating, etc. Did I meet the deadline? Yes! However, I could not attend that particular class because I faced the consequences of ‘hustling’. With it came a headache and backaches.

The consequences of my hustle culture said, “here’s some pain to force you to rest”. I literally just wanted to be in bed! More consequences followed as the lecturer sent an email indicating that I didn’t get a grade because I didn’t show up for the presentation. This was after submitting my section of the work to my group members and informing them that I could not make it (which I explained to her in detail in my reply). She said I was selfish because I never showed up to support the group.

---

Editor’s interjection: The “wake-up call” that Richelle refers to is the harsh realisation that pushing herself too hard in pursuit of productivity led to serious consequences from a physical, academic, and emotional perspective. She describes how the pain and exhaustion from overworking forced her to rest, acting as an undeniable signal that she had neglected balance. The experience also highlighted how hustle culture can prioritise results over well-being, often leading to unintended setbacks.

If we look at it from a theoretical standpoint, it can be said that Richelle’s wake-up call aligns with theories related to burnout and hustle culture, particularly Maslach’s Burnout Theory and the Workaholism Model.

Maslach’s Burnout Theory suggests that prolonged stress and overwork lead to emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation, and reduced personal accomplishment. Richelle’s experience of pushing herself to meet deadlines at the expense of her well-being reflects this cycle of burnout. In the same breath, the Workaholism Model explores how excessive work habits, often fueled by hustle culture, can result in physical and mental exhaustion. Richelle’s body forced her to rest after overworking mirrors this concept.

Additionally, there’s the Self-Determination Theory (SDT) which highlights the importance of balance between ambition and well-being. It suggests that intrinsic motivation (working for personal fulfillment) leads to healthier outcomes than extrinsic motivation (working for external validation). It canbe argued that Richelle’s experience suggests how external pressures like grades, and meeting deadlines can lead to burnout rather than sustainable success.

---

Rest Is Not Laziness

Somewhere deep in our cultural mindset, we’ve learned to associate rest with laziness. However, real rest is intentional. It’s the sacred pause that helps you to hear yourself think again. It’s where clarity and creativity return. It’s where healing begins.

Rest isn’t scrolling through social media in bed with your heart racing about tomorrow’s to-do list. It’s not procrastination in disguise. Rest is unplugging without guilt. It’s choosing stillness and silence, not because you’ve earned it, but because you need it.

As a creative person, I’ve also had moments where I sat in front of my laptop and fail to type a single word – not because I lacked inspiration, but because my mind had shut down. That was the moment I knew that I had gone too far without refueling. I stepped back, took a break (actually rested) and slowly, the words returned. More importantly, peace and joy returned.

That experience taught me this: we don’t have to crash to rest. We don’t have to break down before we slow down. Learning when to pause is a form of emotional intelligence, spiritual maturity, and self-respect.

How to Create Your Own Pause

• Schedule breaks like meetings. Treat rest as non-negotiable. Pencil in “do nothing” time and protect it fiercely.

• Disconnect to reconnect. Step away from screens, social media, and constant notifications. Let your mind breathe.

• Do things that recharge, not just distract. Read. Walk. Journal. Laugh. Sleep. Hydrate. Connect with nature or a loved one. Joy and peace often return in the quietest moments.

Three Life Lessons About Hustle and Rest

As is customary with The Suburban Girl JA®, I’ve identified three lessons you may apply to your life if you like to lean into the hustle culture.

1. You are not what you produce.

Your value isn’t measured by your output. You’re a human being, not a machine. Your worth doesn’t disappear the moment you take a day off or say “no.” Boundaries aren’t barriers. They’re bridges to a healthier you.

2. Seasons exist for a reason.

There’s a time to plant, a time to water, and a time to let the soil breathe. Life ebbs and flows. Rest doesn’t cancel your dreams; it prepares you to pursue them with more clarity and purpose. Think of rest as strategy, not stagnation.

3. Burnout isn’t noble.

Overworking isn’t a badge of honour. It’s a warning sign. When we constantly choose hustle over health, we’re quietly telling ourselves we’re only as good as what we do. However, true strength is found in knowing when to pull back, reassess, and care for the vessel carrying the vision: you.

4. True productivity is NOT the same as the hustle culture. (this is an editor’s addition)

True productivity is about efficiency, balance, and meaningful progress, whereas hustle culture often glorifies overwork and exhaustion without prioritising well-being. Sustainable success comes from working smarter, not just harder, recognising that rest and renewal are essential for long-term achievement. Perhaps we need to reframe the accepted meaning of the ‘hustle’ and ‘productivity’ alongside our social constucts.

Final Thoughts: Redefining Success With Getting Rest

Something I strongly believe and endorse is that true success is not just about crossing things off your list. It’s about living fully, loving deeply, and listening to what your mind, body, and spirit need. It’s about knowing that your best work comes from a rested mind, and body, not an exhausted one.

So here’s your gentle reminder: you’re allowed to pause. You’re allowed to breathe. You’re allowed to rest, not as a reward, but as a rhythm. Because balance isn’t just about getting through life – it’s about living it well. Take it from someone who had to learn it mid-hustle: the pause isn’t the opposite of progress, it’s part of it. The ultimate balance between hustle and rest is intentional rhythm a cycle where both productivity and restoration coexist without one overshadowing the other. Hustle should fuel your ambitions, but rest should sustain them.

---

Read Richelle’s second entry for the Suburban Guest series! –> The Importance of Self-Compassion: Being Your Own Ally. This entry to the series explores the importance of self-compassion and how being kind to oneself can foster resilience and personal growth. Richelle, the guest writer, shares personal experiences and insights on embracing mistakes, setting boundaries, and practicing self-kindness. She highlights the three key elements of self-compassion—self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness—and encourages readers to treat themselves with the same grace they extend to others. The piece is a thoughtful reflection on becoming your own ally in the face of life’s challenges.

---

Connect with Richelle on her blog: https://richellethenry.wordpress.com
LinkedIn: Richelle T Henry | Instagram @richelle_t_henry | Facebook @Richelle MsRoyal T. Henry