Hey First name / there,

 

What comes to mind when you hear the phrase “hustle culture?"

 

Probably some 22-year-old tech bro standing in front of a rented Lamborghini trying to scam people sell online courses, right?

 

Hustle culture has become a dirty word in certain corners of the online business world—especially in communities led by moms, chronically ill folks, neurodivergent creators, and others who don’t have the time, energy, or desire to work 60-hour weeks chasing some shiny entrepreneurial dream.

 

And look, I get it.

 

You’re reading a newsletter from a chronically ill woman who takes twelve weeks off each year to rest and recharge. Hustle is not my natural state (at least, not in my geriatric era 30s 👵🏻).

 

 

There’s a subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) sense of moral superiority that creeps into the anti-hustle culture rhetoric. As if choosing not to hustle is a sign of evolved values. As if choosing to rest makes you better, wiser, or more conscious than someone who’s still grinding it out.

 

 

Or is it more of a privilege? 🤔

 

Because for a lot of people—especially those supporting families, navigating medical bills, managing student debt, or living without a financial safety net—rest isn’t always an option. Sometimes, you have to hustle to survive, even at the cost of your health and sanity.

 

And while I’ll always advocate for sustainable marketing strategies, solid boundaries, and building a business that supports your life (not the other way around), I also want to emphasize this:

 

 

 

I’ve been thinking about this a lot since I sent that recent newsletter about finances and got so many replies from people saying: “Yes. This is what I’ve been feeling too.” 

 

Because the truth is, the average online entrepreneur is under a lot of financial pressure right now—both in business and on the home front. And not everyone has the luxury of scaling back and spending less.

 

Even if you’re not in survival mode, you might be stockpiling cash because you know that one unexpected medical bill, natural disaster, or [insert personal catastrophe here] could wipe out your life savings.

 

 

That’s a question I hear a lot in anti-hustle circles.

 

But here’s the thing: no one really knows.

 

“Enough” changes. What feels secure one year might feel terrifyingly inadequate the next. Life is unpredictable, and financial safety—especially in this crazy economy—is a rapidly moving target.

 

 

👉 There’s no shame in working hard.

👉 There’s no shame in grinding when you need to.

👉 There’s no shame in doing what it takes (ethically) to meet your financial goals—whether that means taking a week off every month or working weekends to just to stay afloat.

 

So if you’re in a season of hustle, I see you.

And if you’re in a season of rest, I see you too.

 

Both are valid. Both are necessary at one time or another. And neither one defines your worth, your values, or your success as a business owner.

 

 

And your definition? It’s allowed to change—just like you do!

P.S. I love hearing from readers like you. If this week's topic resonates, hit the reply button and tell me about it! 🫶