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Okay, let’s be honest—when did 'grinding' become our entire personality? When was the last time we relaxed without feeling guilty? Somewhere between Zoom classes in pyjamas and 2 AM assignment panic, we lost the plot. The lines between work and life became blurred, and now it feels like we’re always stuck in 'go' mode. If your life is just one big, never-ending to-do list, let’s talk about it—because if my caffeine-fueled brain is any clue, we all need a break.
We know what burnout is, right? The Oxford dictionary defines it as “physical or mental collapse caused by overwork or stress,” but for me, burnout is when your brain feels like it’s running on 1% battery—constantly. Even the smallest tasks feel like climbing Everest, but you keep pushing through. Sound familiar?
It’s unhealthy, yet somehow we’ve normalised it. Feeling drained has become perceived as a badge of honour, and we keep hustling because we believe if we’re not always 'on,' we’re falling behind.
But why? Why do we equate constant work with success? Maybe it's society's obsession with hustle culture, or the highlight reels we see on social media where everyone’s doing more. Rest has become a luxury instead of a necessity, and that’s where things start to unravel.
So, who’s most susceptible to this? Honestly, it’s anyone in high-pressure environments. Students aiming for elite universities or other such competitive positions are prime candidates for workaholism because they feel as if they’re not doing something productive every time they’re free, they’re lagging behind. Perfectionists are especially vulnerable, constantly pushing themselves to meet impossible standards. And the pandemic has made this worse—people who already struggled to set boundaries are now finding it even harder to loosen up.
The consequences? They’re more than mental exhaustion. Workaholism wrecks your physical health too, leading to headaches, insomnia, and even weakened immune systems. Emotionally, it leaves you feeling drained, stuck in a fast-paced treadmill that only speeds up. Passion turns into pressure, and instead of feeling fulfilled, you feel trapped.
Let’s talk about social media’s role in this. Every time we scroll, it's a stream of people flaunting their hustle—pulling all-nighters, juggling side gigs, scoring internships. Instead of Instagram or TikTok being a means to relax, it’s just a constant reminder of all the things we could be doing instead. Remember the “study till the candle burns out” trend? That was peak toxic productivity, glorifying exhaustion as if it’s something to be proud of. Sure, hard work is important, but this pressure to constantly go beyond has skewed what hard work really means. It’s become about quantity over quality—how much can you cram into 24 hours?
Students, you know the struggle. Ace your exams, get internships, build a portfolio, have a social life, and somehow, sleep (yeah, right). But that non-stop hustle? It leads to burnout—a state where motivation dies, creativity suffers, and your mental health takes a nosedive. The pandemic blurred the lines even further—our living rooms turned into classrooms, and suddenly, 8 PM felt like a reasonable time to still be 'in school.' Now, even post-pandemic, we feel this constant need to stay plugged in and productive. We’re not working out of passion anymore; we’re working out of fear of falling behind.
Oh, and you know when our parents say, “In our day, we just studied and got in”? Yeah, sure, Dad, because back then, just having a degree—any degree—was enough to land a decent job. Now, the bar is practically in orbit. Good grades aren’t enough, it’s just the minimum; we need flawless GPAs, extracurriculars, internships, volunteer work, and maybe even a few published novels on the side- just for fun, of course.
Let me take you back a few weeks. It was a typical weekday, and I thought I had everything under control. I’d planned my day down to the minute—colour-coded my to-do list and everything. It started well enough, but by noon, my plan? Derailed. Unexpected deadlines popped up, tasks ran overtime, and stress crept in. By 5 PM, I had that familiar tightness in my chest—the sinking feeling that there was no way I was going to get everything done. But instead of calling it a day or giving myself a break, I did what I always do—I doubled down. I told myself I just needed to push harder, work longer, and somehow I'd catch up. So, I chugged my third cup of coffee, put my phone on 'Do Not Disturb,' and convinced myself that I could power through. Spoiler alert: I couldn’t.
By 10 PM, I was still sitting in front of my laptop, staring blankly at the screen. My brain felt like mush, but the guilt of stopping was worse than the exhaustion. It’s a vicious cycle—when work piles up, I push harder, thinking it’s the only solution, and it never seems to help. The worst part? I know how unhealthy it is, yet it feels like the only option when the pressure mounts.
The good thing is, thankfully, there are solutions, even if they’re not one-size-fits-all, and it’s definitely not a fast process. Recognising the problem is step one. We need to start normalising resting and setting boundaries, and stop treating self-care like it’s an afterthought. I don’t deny that academics are important for your future, but if you don’t take care of your health now, in the present, you won’t be able to fully enjoy the future you create for yourself.
I’m still figuring it out. Some days, I set boundaries and log off early; other days, I fall back into old habits. It’s a process, and I’m learning that rest doesn’t make me lazy—it helps me recharge. I’m starting to understand that I don’t have to be 'productive' every minute of the day. Progress isn’t about perfection; it’s about catching myself when I start slipping back into that mindset and choosing, little by little, to do things differently.
So, what’s the takeaway? We’re all figuring it out. Whether it’s setting boundaries, embracing a bit of chaos, or learning that it’s okay to not have it all together—we’re all unlearning the toxic grind culture we’ve been force-fed for so long. And if you’re still figuring it out like me? Congratulations, you’re human, not a machine.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go lie down on my unmade bed and stare at the ceiling for a while.
By: Anonymous author
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