Why Hustle Culture Is Making Us Broke and Burnt Out

Hustle culture sells a seductive story: work harder now and you’ll be free later. It suggests that success is just on the other side of exhaustion. In the early stages, it can even feel good. A side hustle brings novelty, a sense of agency, and sometimes a little extra money to ease the bills. For a while, it feels like you’re beating the system.

But what starts as exciting quickly turns into overwhelming. That fun project becomes another deadline. That extra cash comes at the expense of your rest. And soon, the freedom you were chasing feels further away than ever.