It’s time for the second round of our hustle culture series, friends!
If you’re new here, we started a hustle culture vs slowing down series last month. So you can head over to this link and read the first post if you’d like to catch up really quickly!
Perspective seemed like the next stop in this series as it is a determining factor in how we think. My perspective on something may differ from yours, and it could vary slightly or we could be completely opposite in our thinking.
How we think is going to drive us in one way or another, and that’s going to directly affect whether we are focused on hustling away, slowing down, or even somewhere in-between.
Let’s dive in headfirst to learn more about perspective and why it matters!
What Is Perspective?
Your perspective in a nutshell is your outlook on life.
How you see your life, what you want it to look like, the things you need and want to have, and how you feel. Also, your perspective doesn’t stop at just your life, but it extends to how you see every single thing in the world too. People you know, a person you pass on the street, what you watched on tv today, that book you just read…your perspective is going to color the way that you view it all.
Perspective is subjective.
We often hear the common phrase, “keep things in perspective.” This suggests that we should remember the big picture and that we are likely getting ourselves all worked up for something that will mean absolutely nothing later on.
But because our perception of life may not be the same, your big picture may be quite a bit different from my big picture. That doesn’t necessarily mean that either of us are wrong, but it does mean that you may put a larger emphasis on something than I would.
Thus, it’s important to remember when we are trying to help others see another side of things – it’s simply that, another point of view. Just some food for thought!
How Perspective Affects Lifestyle
They say what consumes your mind controls your life – and whoever ‘they’ are, they’re right!
If your mind is fixated on climbing the corporate ladder, then everything in your entire being is affected by that. Your decisions, the media you consume, the people you surround yourself with, the clothes you wear, your schedule, etc.
Likewise, if your mind is focused on protecting your peace – slowing down and living a simpler life is more appealing to you than climbing a corporate ladder. Therefore, you’ll gravitate towards everything that falls into alignment with creating a life that supports your mental and physical wellbeing.
Perspective Changes Over Time
The interesting thing about life is that it is ever-changing, our thoughts and perspectives included.
It might be someone else’s point of view that changes your perspective over time, like we talked about earlier, or it could be an impactful life experience that shaped your way of thinking. No matter the reasoning, our mindset is often evolving.
In my life, I’ve experienced that shift in perspective. Shortly after starting college, I changed jobs to a local bank. I started as a teller and worked my way into the loan department. I fell in love with it. At that time, school and work were among my top priorities, but I also juggled teaching a Sunday School class for littles, helping my parents and taking care of the sweetest little lady that lived next door. If that wasn’t enough, I reconnected with a handsome guy who would make me Mrs. Burchett soon after! 🙂
I compartmentalized every single piece of my life at that time and tried to stay present no matter where I was because I knew a ball would drop if I didn’t.
As you might imagine, those balls were going to drop anyway. You can only do so much at once for so long before you need some sort of break. I would go from work to college and then back to work, and it actually went smoothly until work got stressful. I wanted to work my way up to management, it had been my dream. I wanted to be what I felt was successful, something that made myself proud as well as my parents.
I’ll save you the details, but work became a very toxic environment and there was absolutely a point where my husband thought I was going to have a heart attack in my 20s.
I had fully lived and embraced hustle culture during that time in my life. After that, my mindset and perspective absolutely changed. I no longer cared about rising in the ranks, I just wanted to survive. So much has happened between then and now! I certainly had a negative experience with hustle culture, but it taught me a lot about who I want to be and what I want my life to look like.
I think you can still hustle away and work hard without embracing a culture that doesn’t make room for rest, mental health, etc. I’d like to think that’s sort of where I am, in a bit of a balance between hustle culture and slowing down.
That’s a wrap on hustle culture series 2.0 today, haha! I truly hope you gained a little something from this post, and I’d love to hear your thoughts on it! Have you had an experience with hustle culture? Have you had a shift in perspective over time?
Thanks for sharing your perspective. I like it and am trying to embrace that for myself. What helps me to stay focused on the big picture is God. Sometimes I forget but he reminds me. Lol
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Aww, thanks so much Kathrine! That is so very true, the Lord helps us to remember what is most important and what He wants for us. Haha, I’m with you on being reminded, He keeps us in check! 🙂
Great post! You’re right, perspective is everything. We can easily get caught up in negativity, but taking a step back and looking at things differently can lead to a more positive outlook. I appreciated your suggestion of “flipping the script” and seeing things from someone else’s perspective. Thanks for the reminder that we have the power to choose our outlook on the world.
Aww, thank you tons Candice, that means so much! 🙂 I’m so happy you enjoyed this post, and I appreciate you always!
My outlook has changed frequently over the past few years. You make such a good point that my perspective and big picture could be different than yours, and it’s important to see things from both sides.
Jill – Doused in Pink
I can definitely relate, my friend! And thank you so very much, I appreciate you always!! 🙂
This is so true! I know my looks at things have definitely changed over the past few years!
Jennifer
Curated by Jennifer
Thanks so much Jennifer, and I can truly relate!
This is so good and so right. The events that happen in our lives often change our perspective on things.
https://fashionradi.com/
Aww thank you Radi, and I absolutely agree with you. It really shapes who we are and how we think over time.
I’ve definitely shifted my perspective on many things over time. I think age and experience does that and I wouldn’t change it!
I completely agree with you Laura, that’s so very true!
That’s so scary that he thought you were going to have a heart attack, wow… You’re doing better now, right?!
It really was! I was so overly stressed and looking back, it was so ridiculous. I’m all better now! Thanks so much Caitlin, you’re the best! 🙂
Great post, Ashley. My perspective has definitely changed over time and I think that this is a totally normal part of the stages of life we go through.
Julia x
https://www.thevelvetrunway.com/
Aww, thank you tons Julia! I agree with you, it really affects us over time and just different experiences we go through.
Yes to this post!!! Perspective and mindset are so important!! I used to suffer from imposter syndrome but don’t any longer because of the mindset work I continue to focus on. I know I have the ability to be successful and bring my skill sets from my prior profession.
Love this post so much friend!
Thank you tons, Kristina! I can truly relate and I’m so glad that you were able to push through imposter syndrome (it’s so hard!!). Inner work truly does wonders even though it’s certainly not an easy process, and always something we have to continue. You are awesome my friend, and thank you so much always!!
Loved this post! My last job after college was extremely stressful with long hours, etc. and I think that is why I just wanted to do something else and take a break from it all. I love to be busy, but as I got older I also wanted to enjoy life a bit more. However, I am still really busy and my life is still a little chaotic at times, but I’ve also learned there is seasons in life and sometimes things are going to be a bit more chaotic and sometimes they’re going to be more peaceful. I tend to thrive on structure, but I’m also trying to have a lot of grace on that… because, life is never going to be fully structured week to week, day to day, etc.
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Aww, thanks Carrie! So happy you loved this one! 🙂 I remember you telling me how stressful your old job was, it just makes you truly miserable and it’s amazing how much it affects with your mind and body. I’m so glad you got away from that and you truly are a busy bee still, but always love and appreciate that you give yourself grace and just do the best you can when sometimes things just don’t go according to plan.
Thanks for sharing about Perspective and yes it can change over time sometime.
https://www.melodyjacob.com/
Aww, thank you for reading my friend, and I definitely agree with you!