My relationship with Capitalism and toxic productivity as a counsellor/social worker in Sydney.
There is a dominant narrative in Capitalism, Colonialism and mainstream media about what you SHOULD be doing in life. I personally call this Hustle Culture.
Your hobbies have to make money on the side.
You should always be working towards are promotion.
You should never be happy about where you are in life and in your job otherwise you’re COMPLACENT and LAZY.
Hustle Hustle Hustle
I am definitely not immune to the temptation of Hustle Culture. It’s pervasive in the messages in the music we listen to, the movies we watch, the social media we’re exposed to… It’s a conscious detoxing everyday to shed the toxic narrative of Hustle.
Even well meaning people in our lives have consumed Hustle Culture their entire lives and model for us the unhealthy focus on “productivity” and “progress”.
Even in the wellbeing industry (which I am in) has Business Coaches and Business Courses on how to build an empire, to expand products and services, to be own a practice and manage others.
Can I not be happy being a solo practitioner who practices within my ethics and make a living?
For my own wellbeing I don’t market my business on Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok or Youtube but we’re told we SHOULD. It sounds exhausting.
I want to keep working my 4 day workweek (2 days in private practice, 2 days at NGO/NFP) and taking my rest and pleasure on my days off. My ideal work week is 3 days but I cannot fit all I do into 3 so 4 is my compromise.
I don’t want to work more. I don’t want to work harder. I want to keep improving my practice, and keep getting better as a person/professional. That does not require me to hustle, to burn out, to work a 9-5/5 day arbitrary work week.
I don’t want to figure out a way to charge the most I can. I want to charge what’s FAIR and what I can afford to and live in Sydney. I want to connect with my peers and colleagues with emotional vulnerability and intimacy and step away from the comparison game. I am happy within myself.
This is my resistance.
