Workism: Why Making Work Your Life’s Purpose Isn’t Always the Best Idea

Have you ever heard people say things like, “You’ve got to hustle 24/7 to succeed” or “Work hard, play later”? These ideas sound inspiring, but they’re part of a more significant trend called workism. Derek Thompson from The Atlantic coined this term as “the belief that work is not only necessary to make money but also the most important part of your identity and purpose in life.”

While it’s great to work hard and care about what you do, turning work into your life can cause serious problems. Let’s break it down.

What’s the Big Deal About Workism?

Workism isn’t just about working hard; it’s about making work your everything. It’s like treating your job as the most important thing about who you are. While being passionate about work isn’t bad, constantly focusing on work can lead to issues like stress, burnout, and losing touch with the people and activities you love. This is why it is crucial to have a work-life balance.

The Pressure to Always Hustle

In today’s world, people often celebrate being super busy. You might see posts on social media about "the grind" or hear people brag about working long hours. This pressure to hustle can make you feel like you’re never doing enough. But here’s the problem: working non-stop can leave you feeling tired, stressed, and unhappy, even if you’re achieving your goals. Even if you achieve your goals, you won't feel the same satisfaction, which decreases your morale.

No Boundaries Between Work and Life

Imagine trying to finish homework while getting nonstop texts from teachers or classmates. Now, imagine that happening every day. For adults, workism can feel like that—emails, calls, and messages come at all hours, even during dinner or weekends. Taking a break is hard when work follows you everywhere, making it difficult to relax or enjoy personal time.

Losing Connections with Others

Workism also affects friendships and family time. When people spend all their energy on work, they might not have much left to hang out with friends, talk to family, or relax. Over time, this can make people feel isolated and lonely, even if they’re successful in their careers.

Why Should We Care?

If work becomes the only thing people care about, they miss out on what makes life meaningful—like spending time with friends, pursuing hobbies, or just enjoying a moment of peace. That’s why it’s essential to find balance. Balance is the key to meaningful relationships with your friends and family.

How to Beat Workism

1. Set Priorities: Work (or school) is essential but not the only thing. Make time for things you enjoy, like sports, hobbies, or hanging out with friends.
2. Set Boundaries: Just like you need schoolwork breaks, adults need work breaks. Turning off emails or work apps after hours can help people recharge.
3. Focus on Community: Spend time with family and friends. Building strong connections outside of work makes life more fun and meaningful.
4. Speak Up for Change: Workplaces can do better, too! People should encourage healthier habits, like shorter work hours or more focus on mental health.

Finding Balance

Workism teaches us that working hard is okay, but we shouldn’t let work take over our lives. Life is more than work—it’s about friendships, hobbies, and making memories. By balancing things, we can work toward success and enjoy life simultaneously.