When I wrote my list of ins and outs for 2024, saying no to hustle culture was high on the list. Why? My goal is to empower women to step into the best version of themselves, and that means being realistic about what we can achieve on any given day: at work, in our personal life and with our training. And the last thing I want is to see women in my community left feeling exhausted and burnt out because they’re trying to live up to unrealistic expectations of what success looks like.
For years we’ve glorified hustle culture and a “rise-and-grind” mentality. Being busy has become a badge of honour and I’ve seen so many women put their own wellbeing further and further down an ever-growing to-do list. Don’t get me wrong – I think it’s awesome to set goals and go after what you want in life. Having something to strive for can be incredibly motivating and rewarding. But I also think that hustle culture can send a toxic message that suggests we need to always be working towards the next best thing and wearing ourselves out, instead of taking time to enjoy what’s right in front of us.
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I’ll always be the one encouraging you to challenge yourself and see what you’re capable of, but if you’re stretching yourself so thin that your health, relationships or happiness start to take a hit, it isn’t worth it. Many chapters in my life have required some serious hustle, but looking back I now wish I slowed down to appreciate and celebrate more along the way.
This year I’m saying no to hustle culture and yes to the things that bring me joy: time with Jae, Arna and Jax and our families. Time spent outdoors in our beautiful new home in sunny Queensland. Workouts that I enjoy (at the moment I’m loving my weighted sessions) and plenty of walks to recharge my battery. Embarking on new projects that challenge and excite me.
Want to say no to hustle culture with me? Here’s what I’m doing
Live your most authentic life
And don’t compare your day-to-day to someone else’s highlights reel on social media. I spend a lot of time on my phone and know how easy it can be to look at someone else’s life through their Instagram grid and think they’ve got it all together. But likes and comments should be the last way you measure the value of what you’re doing. They say comparison is the thief of joy and it’s so true!
Spend time with the people that matter
If you’ve followed me for a while, you’ll know just how important family is to me. I love being part of a big, Greek family and family is something Jae and I both value so much. We sadly lost Jae’s amazing mum, Jenny, earlier this year. She was the most kind, inspiring woman and we all miss her so much. I know it’s a cliche, but don’t take time with your loved ones for granted.
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You don’t have to work out every day
In fact, you shouldn’t be. It often surprises people when they find out I don’t work out every day, but as a personal trainer, I know how important it is to include rest and recovery in your week if you want to feel your best.
Prioritise sleep
Whether you’re an early bird or a night owl, we all need our sleep. Prioritising getting enough quality sleep is so important to me (and no small feat with Arna and Jax around!). I know there are people out there who say they can survive on a few hours but I am not one of them. Let’s celebrate getting as much sleep as possible. You won’t be able to hit any of your goals if you’re not well rested.
It’s okay to ask for help
I have a really busy career and a really busy family life. With two young kids, there are only so many hours in the day and it would be impossible to get it all done if I didn’t have help. They say it takes a village to raise a family and I’m so lucky to have such an amazing partner, hands-on family and support system who are always there for the four of us.
Make time for self-care
Whatever self-care looks like for you, pencil in some time in your diary to make it a priority. Whether that’s a solo walk, treating yourself to a massage, time reading a book or listening to your favourite podcast. Self-care can be many things, but it’s not selfish.
