I Don’t Subscribe to the Hustle – And I’m Not Ashamed
This is for you if you are tired of the constant hustle and are seeking a more sustainable, intentional way to work and live.
Somewhere in my 20s, definitely in my 30s, I got caught up in the hustle. You know the story — the glorified grind, the “sleep when you’re dead” mentality, the idea that if you want to escape the 9-to-5, you have to outwork everyone. At the time, it made sense. I wanted more for myself. I wanted freedom. And I thought hustle was the only ticket out.
But let me tell you something: Chile, I am not a hustler — and I’m not ashamed to say that.
I’m not the “always on,” “go hard or go home” type. That’s just not me. I am dedicated. I’m resilient. I’m strategic. I know how to spot and seize opportunities when they come. But this idea that I have to be in overdrive all the time? No, thank you. That’s a one-way ticket to burnout, and I’ve learned the hard way that it’s not sustainable.
Some Seasons Require More — But Not All
Don’t get me wrong — I know some seasons demand more. Longer days. More focus. More effort. And I can rise to that occasion. But the key word there is season. It’s not forever. It’s not all the time. It’s not the baseline.
Earlier this year, during my slow season, I kept telling myself, “I need to go harder.” I felt like I wasn’t doing enough. I thought I had to push to prove something. But every single time I tried to force it — tried to hustle harder in a way that didn’t align with how I naturally work — I ended up exhausted. Mentally drained. Physically off. And most of all, frustrated.
So I had to stop and ask myself:
What is my working style? How do I make progress without burning out?
The answer I landed on:
Move at my pace.
Not lazy. Not indifferent. But in a way that makes room — room for creativity, for clarity, for strategy. Space to slow down and go deep. To give more when I can and rest when I need to.
Is Work-Life Balance a Myth? I Don’t Think So.
There’s so much noise out there about how work-life balance isn’t real. That if you’re chasing balance, you’re not built for the top 1%. That success means sacrifice — always.
Honestly? I’m starting to think I’m okay with that.
Because some days are exhausting. And I don’t want to be constantly sacrificing my peace, my well-being, or my health just to chase someone else’s definition of success. If that means I’m not in the top 1%, that’s fine.
What I’ve come to understand is this: Turning off is a power move.
It’s not laziness. It’s not falling behind.
When I allow myself to disconnect — really unplug — I actually think more clearly. I make fewer mistakes. I’m more creative. More strategic. More me. And isn’t that the point?
Give Yourself Permission to Work Differently
If you’re reading this and feeling guilty for not “going hard” all the time — breathe.
You’re not alone, and you’re not doing it wrong.
Some seasons require more of us. But others invite us to slow down, recalibrate, and realign. You don’t have to be constantly grinding to make real progress. In fact, you might just find that your best work — the most inspired, impactful work — happens when you give yourself room to breathe.
So here’s my takeaway:
Do what works for you.
Know which seasons require more — and know when to turn off.
Because success isn't just about how hard you can go — it's about how well you can sustain.
ABOUT ME
I’m Carey-Lee Dixon, a creative at heart with a deep-rooted passion for helping others by sharing my story, my journey, knowledge and skills. I am a creative partner to women ready to show up boldly and build with intention. After years of side-hustling alongside my 9-to-5 job and honing my skills in branding and design, I stepped fully into my journey as a full-time entrepreneur, committed to helping women grow their presence with clarity, courage, and confidence.
Through shared experiences, I’m creating a space for others who seek more than just a good job with a big title that lacks heart or purpose. Instead, they want to lean into their purpose, do what they love, and make an impact by showing up boldly, courageously, and with intention. Whether you're starting fresh or scaling something meaningful, you may find something here that will shift your perspective and inspire you to take action, creating and living a life of intention and authenticity that feels like yours.
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Engage with the content—like, comment, and share with others who might find this valuable.
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I enjoyed reading this. Glad we are no longer glorifying the hustle. ❤️