Gen Z is often labeled as the ‘lazy’ generation, but anyone living in today’s fast-paced world knows that’s far from the truth. We’re hustling, we’re creating, we’re innovating. But with the constant push to prove ourselves, we’ve lost sight of something equally important: self-care.

The Rise of Hustle Culture and its Impact on Gen-Zers

Hustle culture has become the dominant narrative for anyone starting out in the workplace in this age, therefore us Gen-Zers are constantly striving to prove ourselves to our new workplaces, our new bosses, and our new peers. Self-care, although a widely-spoken topic on social media at the moment, has become a secondary priority for many of us, with this pressure bowing down on us 24/7.

This toxic workplace environment, and social media environment, hits our generation harder, as we are entering the workplace in this negative way. With a huge emphasis on (toxic) productivity, working long hours, and juggling one-hundred things at the same time, there’s no doubt that a lot of us are struggling.

We often feel as though we have to push that little harder, as we have to fight against this stereotype of the “snowflake generation“: lazy, social media addicts, overly emotional and easily offended. From what I was just explaining, however, we all know this is untrue. We have to prove ourselves as ambitious, capable, and strong. And these things are often skewed as we’re fighting everyday to challenge this stereotype.

This stereotype is fueling this drive to overwork and to fall into the trap of toxic productivity, when all we want to do is enter the workplace with a positive stereotype on our shoulders! We are capable, and we are driven, so why do employers still believe that we have to prove ourselves even more?

Self-Care and the Struggle to Prioritise it

Self-care is at the forefront of online discussions at the moment, with thousands of influencers showcasing their self-care routines, the importance of journaling and so on (yes, me included!). The concept of self-care has now become more of a performative act, rather than a true, lived experience for many of us young adults. Why? We simply don’t have time for it.

Despite self-care being a buzzword, it often feels impossible to actually practice. We’re balancing jobs, side hustles, social lives, and content creation, all while pretending we have it all together. In reality, many of us are running on empty.

That is a hard truth to say, but nonetheless the truth. We are balancing too many things, and then being told that we’re not working hard enough, or we’re not prioritising things enough.

Self-care is the ultimate act of self-love, and it stops us from falling down that rabbit hole of burn out, anxiety and self-doubt. A little act of self-care each day can go an extremely long way.

The Balance Between Hustle and Wellness (Is it Even Possible?)

Now I’m talking about what I always talk about: balance. Also, where does self-care fit into our daily routine?

It’s easy to feel guilty for taking time to rest, but balance doesn’t mean giving up on your goals. It means understanding that taking care of yourself is essential to achieving those goals in the long run. It’s time we give ourselves permission to recharge.

In the same way that we schedule our work days and our to-do lists, schedule in times for self-care. Step away from your computer when 5pm ticks into view, and do something for you that will aid the present you (not the future you as I often talk about). Forget your goals and professional career dreams for that moment, and just enjoy a cold glass of wine in the bath, or a good book, or a long run, or chatting with a friend. Ignore everything else going on and just focus on you, and what makes you relax in that moment.

And set boundaries with social media. 9 out of 10 jobs these days rely on computer screens, so make that step to also halt the doom-scrolling. Give your eyes a rest! Netflix is a good down-time to have, but just consider how much time you spend on screens.

Find a way that works for you to unwind, and then make it stick.

How to Redefine Success for our Generation

Success in today’s world often feels like a race to see who can work the hardest, grind the longest, and keep hustling no matter the cost. But as Gen Z, we have the opportunity to redefine what success really means for us. Success doesn’t have to be measured by constant productivity or how much we accomplish in a day. Instead, it can be about living a balanced, fulfilling life that aligns with our values.

When we take care of ourselves—mentally, physically, and emotionally—we’re actually fueling our creativity and productivity in ways that lead to sustainable success. Wellness isn’t a distraction or an excuse to slack off. It’s a necessary foundation for achieving long-term goals without hitting burnout. Taking time for self-care, setting boundaries, and giving ourselves room to rest aren’t signs of laziness—they’re signs of strength. These practices allow us to show up fully in everything we do, with more energy and passion than ever before.

At the end of the day, success should be defined by how happy and fulfilled we feel, not by how exhausted we are from trying to prove ourselves to others. We don’t need to validate our worth by burning out. Real success comes when we live authentically, stay true to ourselves, and prioritise our well-being along the way.

---

The pressure to hustle, prove ourselves, and fight against the “lazy” stereotype can be overwhelming. But we don’t have to sacrifice our mental health or neglect our self-care to show the world what we’re capable of. We have the power to break free from the hustle culture that glorifies exhaustion and redefine success on our own terms.

By balancing productivity with wellness, we can thrive in a way that’s sustainable and authentic. So, let’s stop living to meet other people’s expectations, and start living for ourselves. Your worth isn’t tied to how much you can accomplish in a day—remember, you are enough just as you are.