Hustle Culture Is Collective Sleep Deprivation Dressed in Business Casual
Why Sophia and I are writing Pause Day
Photo by Mpho Mojapelo on Unsplash
Let’s cut through the noise: we live in a society that glorifies exhaustion.
We wear “I’m so busy these days” like a badge of honor, as if the sheer volume of our to-do lists determines our worth.
We brag about surviving on five hours of sleep, as if sleep deprivation were a sign of dedication rather than self-sabotage.
We scroll through anxiety-inducing news feeds at 2 AM, then wake up at 5 AM to “crush the day,” only to spend the afternoon mainlining caffeine just to stay upright.
And for what?
We’ve been sold a lie — that burnout is just a phase, that exhaustion is the price of success, that if we’re not perpetually hustling, we’re falling behind.
But here’s the uncomfortable truth: hustle culture isn’t sustainable. It’s a pyramid scheme where the currency isn’t money — it’s your health.
The Science of Sleep (And Why We’re Failing At It)
In a powerful episode of the Rich Roll Podcast, neuroscientist Dr. Matthew Walker dropped a truth bomb:
“Sleep is the single most effective thing we can do each day to reset the health of our brain and body.”
Let that sink in.
Not a new productivity app. Not a 75-hour workweek. Not another “life hack” squeezed into an already overflowing schedule.
Sleep.
The one thing we consistently sacrifice in the name of “getting ahead.”
Walker’s research shows that sleep deprivation isn’t just about feeling tired — it’s linked to Alzheimer’s, heart disease, obesity, and a weakened immune system. It impairs memory, creativity, and emotional regulation. It makes us worse at our jobs, worse in our relationships, and worse at being human.
Yet, we treat sleep like an optional upgrade — something to “catch up on” someday, when we’re less busy. (Spoiler: that day never comes.)
The Rebellion of Rest
This is one reason why Sophia and I, Cristof, wrote Pause Day (launching September 1 — join the pre-release buzz here).
It’s not a book about sleep, though. It’s a manifesto for reclaiming pauses in a world that profits from our exhaustion.
Because here’s the radical idea you may have forgotten: You are not a machine.
You are a living, breathing being who, biologically, requires rest to function — not just physically, but creatively, emotionally, and spiritually.
The most successful people in history didn’t grind themselves into the ground.
They paused.
They meditated.
They walked.
They stared out windows.
They took naps.
They journaled.
(Looking at you, Einstein and Da Vinci.)
The Hard Truth About “I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead”
Let’s address the elephant in the room: the toxic mantra of “I’ll sleep when I’m dead.”
If you wear this phrase like a badge of honor, I’m not here to shame you.
I’m here to tell you: You’re not winning. You’re just dying faster.
The data doesn’t lie:
Chronic sleep deprivation shaves years off your life.
It’s linked to a significantly increased risk of heart disease.
It makes you more prone to anxiety, depression, and impulsive decisions.
Is that really the trade-off you want to make?
A Call to Action (For Your Own Good)
It’s time to stop glorifying burnout. It’s time to stop equating busyness with worthiness. And it’s time to recognize that real success isn’t measured in hours worked — it’s measured in a life well-lived.
So here’s your challenge:
Audit your sleep. Track it for a week. Be honest.
Protect your rest. Treat bedtime like a meeting with your future self.
Embrace the pause. Not as a luxury, but as a necessity.
Because the most revolutionary act you can commit in a hustle-obsessed world?
Stop participating in your own depletion.
Agree? Disagree? (I can take the heat.) Drop your thoughts in the comments.
P.S. If you’re ready to reclaim rest without guilt, pre-order Pause Day here. Your future self will thank you.