I’ll Start on Monday is a free, weekly newsletter that lands in your inbox every, you guessed it, Monday. We explore creativity and curiosity, plus you get access to resources for your own mini project to work on over seven days! If you like what I do, you can also buy me a coffee to help support my work. It is greatly appreciated. *virtual hugs*
It seems that what we have been exploring in this newsletter recently really resonates with a lot of you and while it has made me feel less alone in how I am feeling, it also got me thinking on our obsessiveness with being productive and sharing it online, constantly.
Have you ever stopped and asked yourself why you do what you do?
Before COVID-19, four days a week I would get up at 4:45am to meditate and then walk to a one hour gym class in Richmond before I started work at 8:30 am. Every Sunday morning, without fail, I went to a barre class at 8am, despite having been out late the night before. I didn’t even think twice about it AND I made sure to share a photo of myself to remind all of you that there are no excuses for working out. (Sorry for that lol)
Having thrown routine as I know it out the window this year, I look back at my past crazy schedules and wonder why I put myself through such a gruelling timetable. On one hand I felt guilty - guilty for not making the most of every single moment of every single day - and on the other hand I wanted to be seen as an overachieving, type A, hustler who cannot and will not be stopped - ever.
This hustle era that we are living in glorifies the excessive pursuit of reward and recognition. Who are we without constant, external praise and validation? Can we do things without sharing it online? How can we ever stay full and inspired, if we are constantly sharing every part of our work and our selves.
We work hard, and play hard, not for the sheer enjoyment of our pursuits and hobbies but because we feel obliged to. Millennials especially are a product of hustle culture. Having been built for the workplace we don’t know any different other than go go go, and then go some more.
Last week we questioned why we avoid doing things we want or need to do, and I think a lot of it boils down to the fact that we never stop and just rest. We run on empty, and then wonder why we have no energy to face even the smallest of tasks. This week, let yourself stop. Let yourself off the hook - no one is watching, literally. Notice what you fill your time up with and where your energy is going, and ask yourself why you do what you do.
I was meant to leave 30 minutes ago to meet a friend for a walk lol so I am going to have to leave it there - we will pick up from here next week!
Your words for the week: rest and restore!
RESOURCES
This article on hustle culture is fantastic and sums up my thoughts and feelings.
This article looks at millenials and burnout - it’s one that I go back to and reread often.
Lol at this generic pop song but it’s boppy lil tune really helps me when I am writing the newsletter. *type type type type*
Reading this book in my book club and you should read it too.
Last night I shared a cheese platter with a friend from this divine local business. It was DIVINE!!!
PROJECT
There is no project this week because I was NOT organised. Next week, okay!