Hustle Culture and its Damaging Effect on Highly Sensitive People (HSPs)

What if you believed your level of productivity didn’t define you? Would you still hustle?

If you are an HSP, you need a lot of down time. Your neurological system is picking up on the tiniest details all the time. Your brain spends more time than the average brain processing and analyzing all internal and external stimuli. This level of feeling and thinking is exhausting. 

My Story

I personally felt like there was something wrong with me when I couldn’t be everything all of the time. I would push myself harder and harder until I became physically sick or depressed or panicky, if not all of the above. And then I would feel badly about that, too. The truth is, I spent too long ignoring my own needs. I was putting hustle culture above my own authentic self. 

As a career caregiver, it was especially easy to put my needs last. My specialty is infant care and postpartum support. I have loved being able to grow and learn with each new baby and family for which I have worked. However, in 2020, in an attempt to be everything, I took my role as nurturer several steps further and became a licensed foster parent. I thought my early childhood knowledge would lend itself beautifully to helping babies who had been removed from their parents. 

Breakdown

I knew this would be extremely difficult work. Any feelings I had about how this level of around-the-clock care would impact my health were pushed down. Over the course of a year and a half, I ended up fostering two children. Eventually, the intensity of this work led me to a complete breakdown.

Had I truly accepted and embraced my sensitive trait, I would have known that fostering wasn’t right for me or my family. That’s not to say that HSPs shouldn’t be foster parents. Actually, if you already have an amazing and abundant support system, a strong sense of self-worth, self-awareness, and a kick-ass self-care routine, you can do anything in moderation. Your ability to understand the needs of others lends itself beautifully to any number of nurturing fields of work. This level of commitment just wasn’t right for me or my very sensitive heart.

I am beyond grateful for my time as a foster mother. I was able to help both of my foster children thrive. And, though my breakdown was painful, and I hope you can avoid coming into your own self-discovery this way, I am grateful for the spiritual awakening that came from coming by my limitations honestly.

So, what exactly did I learn?

First and foremost, it is okay that sensitive people need more rest. As an HSP, It is necessary to give yourself plenty of time to breathe. You must reflect and be mindful of your particular set of needs. The nervous system of an HSP needs more downtime, and that is neither bad nor good, just neutral. 

On an average day, an HSP needs to regularly check in with, and attend to their energy levels. It is helpful and encouraging to make small, achievable to-do lists. Try not to fall into the multitasking trap. If you have an intense job, taking small breaks in between tasks to breathe and reflect is crucial. 

You Aren’t Lazy

In today’s hustle culture, it might feel like prioritizing rest or self-care is lazy. On the contrary, if you truly want to optimize your productivity, you need to recharge. During your down time, allowing space for stillness and screen-free time is essential for the health of your nervous system.

You might be able to push yourself through low energy levels for a while. However, take it from me, friend, you may be putting yourself at risk of mental and physical breakdown. It is also important to note that HSPs often experience illness more intensely. We take a bit longer to heal than the average person. Therefore, breakdown could rob you of precious time to enjoy your life fully.

I’m here to encourage you to allow your radiant heart to thrive. Check in with yourself periodically throughout each day, and rest and recharge as needed.