Be you.

Hustling doesn’t work for me.

I tried. I really did. I got burned out, and I couldn’t write for several months.

So, what’s the real cure?What’s the right way for us?

For me, it’s slowing down and doing what I feel called to do. That helps.Yes, nothing is perfect—so my plan isn’t either—but I know that I need to be gentle with myself now. Exhausting myself doesn’t help. Being kind and understanding does.

And yes, many will say I’m just lazy. That’s the thought I had about myself, too.But... knowing who I am for the first time in my life—knowing what I can and can’t do, knowing what I truly want—that’s the key to freedom.

Hustling makes work the end-all, be-all.

When I stopped working myself to death, I realized that the things I neglected—like family, hobbies, even sleep—are actually important parts of my life.Those things make me healthier, happier, and more balanced.

Hustle gurus hate the word balanced. It somehow makes people sound average. But who says that just being a normal human being is bad?

In a time of celebrity culture, where everyone wants to be famous, rich, and working themselves into an early grave, “average” sounds like defeat—like you’re waving your flag of surrender.

That doesn’t mean I’m not working to be a better human each day. I am.But instead of listening to others, I’m listening to my gut feeling.

Yes, some days I work harder—longer, more focused.

But some days, I just rest and watch Netflix for half the day.

And as a writer, even watching movies counts as work.

Listen to yourself—not others.

Sometimes you have to turn off YouTube, delete social media, and just be with yourself. Your inner self craves that. Mine does too.

When I open my YouTube homepage and see all the people giving advice—“10 ways to…”“If you see this, it’s meant for you…”

And so on—I get anxious and overwhelmed.

And my gut just says: Turn it all off. Focus on you.

So, focus on what matters to you—your family, your work, your fitness, your health.Those things are more valuable than the opinions of strangers.

You matter.

Don’t give up if your book isn’t selling.Don’t give up if that painting isn’t working.Don’t give up if you have no sales on your Etsy shop.

Whatever it is—don’t give up. Persist.

Listen to yourself first.Yes, take wise advice—but always come back to your inner voice.

You matter.

Dance in your room.Sing with your heart.Walk outside and listen to the birds, the wind in the trees, the way the sun casts moving shadows across the ground.

Unplug for a while. Recharge your creativity.

Try writing with pen and paper instead of the computer. Or a typewriter, if you have one.

Use what you have.

You already have everything you need. And if you do need more, it’ll come at the right moment. Don’t stress about the perfect camera, phone, or supplies.

When I started drawing, I used a cheap children’s watercolor set and some basic watercolor paper. I used what I had in that moment.

Listen to who you really are.

We get so lost in what others want for our lives.We don’t listen to ourselves long enough to see that what we’re doing might just be a job meant for someone else.

Did a parent ever tell you who you should be?Someone you’re not?

Here’s my advice: Be who you are.

As long as you’re not hurting anyone (people or animals), be a dancer, a dentist, a homemaker, a cook, a painter, a writer…Or a thousand other things.You’re a multifaceted person. You can’t be shoved into a box with a label on it.

Move with your flow.

You know who you are—or you will, if you give yourself time to find out.Do the things that inspire you.Help others with your gifts.Be present in the real world.

Be you.

Until next time…

Mateja