Everybody loves a good motivating quote or image, but some of the inspiration I see today seems misguided. At least for me personally, in my current season of life.

I’m talking about what I’ve termed “the hustle mantra.”

Some of my inspiration is from Carla Birnberg’s recent post, but much of it comes from the inner buzzing of my own brain. And maybe sheer exhaustion (just being honest).

Anyway, what does it mean to hustle?

According to the top definition on Urban Dictionary, hustle means “working hard, usually towards the common goal of creating an income.”

Another popular definition is “to have the courage, confidence, self-belief, and self-determination to go out there and work it out until you find the opportunities you want in life.”

Those things, at first glance, sound great! Nothing wrong with working hard toward something important to you. Especially if it leads to an income, independence, and further opportunity.

Except…I think the traditional definition of “hustle” is more accurate: “force (someone) to move hurriedly or unceremoniously in a specified direction.”

It’s the “hurriedly” and “unceremoniously” that get to me. And the “forcing.”

Essentially, hustling is the new “busy.”

It’s the new “you must achieve” and “you must do great things at all costs” mentality.

To me, it’s the rejection of stillness. It’s the demonizing of “average,” and the ridicule of “comfort.”

And, right now, I’m all about stillness, finding beauty in the average parts of life, and enjoying comfort.

Recently I realized something monumental. Two things, actually.

First: all my life, I have equated achievement and accomplishment with love and worthiness. That constantly seeking “more” is the only way to gain respect or purpose.

The thing is, though, I’ve actually become really content with my simplistic life. I still have dreams, and I still feel like I have something to offer to this world that hasn’t yet been discovered or brought to fruition, and yet I’m realizing that “more” is right in front of me.

More is in the quiet weekends watching Bazooka play with his cars.

More is in the sunny days spent outside eating snoballs and tossing Nerf footballs.

And more is in the simple satisfaction I reach when I speak/act/write from my heart and somebody—just one person—finds comfort in those simple acts.

And second: I’m much more motivated by values than by specific, regimented goals.

I’ve become more open to the possibility and uncertainty of the future instead of feeling like I must be pulled in one direction only. Because numerous paths can lead to the same destination.

I’ve learned when to reject the “work hard, all the time,” and “don’t take no for an answer” voices and softened myself to the “rest is the best thing for you” and “savor what is fulfilling in this moment” voices.

Instead of hustling, try softening yourself to the ideas of stillness and simplicity. Share on X

When you hustle, you don’t make time for rest. You put 100% of your energy, vision, and worth into a specific goal—and, in my opinion, you lose part of yourself along the way.

I’m not trying to say that you shouldn’t dream big or set out to create something bold and influential.

In fact, if you’re starting your own business or attempting to reach an important milestone in your life or career, then you’re going to have to make sacrifices.

You’re going to have to work extremely hard.

But, the important thing is to remember: you’re in control. You can choose to rest. You can choose a different path—whether it’s longer, narrower, darker, and more dangerous or shorter, broader, lighter, and less risky—no matter how far you’ve already gone.

And, contrary to popular belief, neither is better or more respectable than the other!

Accomplishment and self-discovery can be found anywhere—especially in the quiet realization of “now” and “I’m already good enough.”

Self-discovery can be found anywhere - especially in the quiet realization of 'I'm already good enough' Share on X

Please remember that.

[linking up with Amanda for thinking out loud]

So tell me…

• What does the idea of “hustle” mean to you?
• How do you try to enjoy the stillness and present moment?