IN HER VIEW | Episode 4 - Hustle Culture

Summary

The panel discusses hustle culture as the glorification of constant work, productivity, and relentless success—often at the expense of wellbeing and work–life balance. The women share that ambition can be energizing when work feels meaningful, but treating long hours and constant busyness as proof of commitment can lead to burnout.

Their experiences show how work and identity can become tightly linked: losing a job or having an empty schedule may feel like losing part of yourself. Over time, they learned that personal worth is not defined by output, hours worked, income, or job titles. Identity and priorities can also shift with life circumstances, such as becoming a parent or caring for family.

Key Wellness Strategies and Advice

• Make room for rest and balance. Being productive all the time is not sustainable; sleep, recovery, and personal life matter.
• Get to know your values and limits. Self-awareness can help you recognize people-pleasing, understand what gives you meaning, and decide which opportunities are right for you.
• Set boundaries and practice saying no. Decline work that exceeds your capacity or undervalues your contribution, and learn to do so without guilt.
• Assess the real cost of a job. Consider whether an opportunity is worth lost sleep, missed family time, or reduced wellbeing, as well as whether it brings fulfillment or purpose.
• Build an identity beyond work. Cultivate roles, interests, and relationships outside your career so that work is not your only source of self-worth.
• Accept that priorities change by life stage. Work, parenting, partnership, and caring for relatives may take different levels of priority at different times.
• Value your skills and experience. Don’t assume that working longer or accepting lower compensation proves dedication. Be thoughtful about jobs that pay less but offer genuine personal meaning.
• Treat rejection as one closed door, not the end of the road. Trust your own path and remain open to other opportunities.
• Make room for enjoyment. Having fun in your work and life can be part of a healthy approach, rather than a distraction from ambition.
• Recognize the broader pressures behind overwork. Some people take multiple jobs because wages do not cover living costs. The panel says employers and other stakeholders should consider whether workers are paid enough to live on.

Presenters and Sources

• Presenters: Kai Soerja (host), Caroline Soerachmat, Shahnaz Soehartono, Marissa Anita, and Karina Basrewan.
• Source mentioned: World Health Organization (WHO), referenced in the discussion of women’s mental health.