February 2026 "Rise and Grind is a scam" By Bryce Cornett

     “No days off,” they say, or "I'll rest when I'm dead,” are common sayings associated with burnout and hustler culture. Burnout is a state of emotional, mental, or even physical exhaustion due to prolonged and excessive stress. Interestingly, modern society has romanticized and celebrated burnout like it's a badge of honor. Similar to how a soldier shows off their scars from war, it's become a bragging right to show off how you survived studying all night on an energy drink. Our society normalizes and frames overwork as success, rest as lazy, and exhaustion as dedication.

      There is a strange kind of pride in overwork; it’s slipped into conversations as a humblebrag. Someone says they got no sleep the last couple of nights studying, and everyone nods with affirmation. In college, it seems everyone is running the same rat race: who can survive on the least sleep and the most caffeine? We convince ourselves that the more we do, the more valuable we are, sacrificing our mental health in the process.

     This mindset is not limited just to the classrooms; it's amplified online. In today's doom-scrolling age, we scroll through and compare ourselves to countless videos of people pretending to have it all together and convince ourselves that this is what success looks like. Influencers perpetuate this burnout culture by showcasing an idealized lifestyle that isn’t sustainable or realistic. This becomes a cycle of trying to look like we are flourishing, even though inside we are breaking apart. Irincally, in this case, comparison is truly the thief of joy.

     The steadfast myth behind burnout culture is that working harder always means doing better. From the “rise and grind” social media influencers to the glorification of corporate life, there is an unspoken belief that rest is for the weak and that exhaustion is the road to success. However, foregoing rest and leaving burnout unchecked could lead to symptoms such as anxiety, depression, insomnia, or physical illness, as well as destroying relationships, reducing creativity, and diminishing self-worth. In most cases, people don’t realize they're burnt out until their body forcibly stops them, whether through illness, breakdown, or collapse. Your success should not come at the cost of your own mental health.

      During burnout, research shows your brain is undergoing constant stress, which weakens signals in the prefrontal cortex, making it harder to concentrate and regulate emotions. This chronic stress also leads to massive dips in dopamine and serotonin, which reduces motivation, and is why everything may feel joyless or dull. Decreases in memory and learning can also be expected. Fortunately, thanks to the adaptability of our brains, the effects of burnout are not permanent. Reversing these effects can be achieved through simple things like resting, moving, or socializing. Learning to identify early signs of chronic stress and being comfortable with stepping back is an important skill. Your body has limits, and when you push it past these limits too often, you're prone to the repercussions.

     Escaping the burnout trap isn't about giving up your goals, but prioritizing yourself and understanding the importance of replenishing. Burnout does not make you a better student, writer, or artist, only a depleted one. It may feel empowering in the short term to romanticize burnout, but there is nothing romantic about losing your joy, health, or identity. Rest is not earned; it is a right. Instead of trying to prove your worth, you should honor it.