Hustle Less, Live More


If you said this to me a couple of months ago I would’ve looked at you, gobsmacked in disbelief. Hustle less and live more? Definitely not! I used to believe that good things come out of hard work – and in some instances it is true – but I took it all too seriously. I started to compare myself to more “successful” people and thought that I wasn’t good enough. ‘I had a breakdown’ was an understatement as I found myself crying in my sleep because of how ‘unsuccessful’ I was while I was on my second honeymoon in Amsterdam. Yep, on a holiday where things should’ve been super romantic and carefree.

I knew that I needed to change my mind-set about my life and the way I view the hustle as the toxic thing that it really is. Hustling has become an obsession in our society and I got caught up in it all. So here’s how I’m trying to hustle less and live more…

hustle less, live more

Know that balance is a unicorn

I’ve been trying to find balance my whole life but, as Jenna Kutcher said, balance is a unicorn. We are never going to achieve balance in our life so the best thing to do is just go with the flow and do our best. I’ve been going out a lot more recently as I realised that most of my weekends were spent working – whether that’s creating posts or artwork – and it makes me feel so much happier. I still allow myself to do blog/design stuff but I don’t feel that sense of urgency anymore. I’m just taking life as it comes. Who knows, maybe next month I won’t feel so outgoing and would spend more time doing work but I won’t beat myself up over it.

Channel my inner Ran Kotobuki

It’s crazy how much impact the Gals! manga has on me, and I thought I’d give Ran Kotobuki a mention as she’s one of my biggest inspirations. Not just in fashion, but on her outlook on life. She doesn’t stress about the fact that she needs to schedule tweets or about the amount of likes she gets on instagram – she just wants to have fun! I’ll be writing more in my next post on the impact that Gals! has on me, so keep your eyes peeled for that.

Autumn gyaru outfit with leopard print

Sweater: Primark / Jeans: Boohoo / Accessories: Glavil by TuTuHa and Primark / Shoes: New Look

Ran Kotobuki from Gals manga

“Now, for real gals, the golden rule is ‘seriously have fun living!’ Devote yourself to being flashy! Devote yourself to having fun! Devote yourself to smiling big!” – Ran Kotobuki

leopard print sweater outfit

Find the best time

My best time to work is really early in the morning, as I view my weekends as how-many-things-can-I-do-before-my-hubby-wakes-up. Once it hits the afternoon I switch off from drawing/blogging and spend the rest of the day going out and doing stuff before winding down in the evening.

Accept that not everything can be done

Did you know that I also design and have an etsy shop as well as blog and work full-time? Yep, I’m multi-passionate. It sounds exhausting and that’s because it is. I get so overwhelmed with juggling everything outside of work but now I’ve accepted that I can’t do everything so I’m going to close down my etsy store. Maybe one day I’ll bring it back, but for now I am going to focus solely on my design and blog.

It sounds like a challenge to hustle less and live more, but I’m going to try my best!

What do you think about the hustle? What methods are you adopting to hustle less, and live more?

Love,
Lizzie xx


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25 Comments
  • Elodie Joriot
    April 12, 2019

    Im happy you finally started to change your mind about it! I think I told you a lot of time to try to just enjoy more and to stress less about your art and blog! ? I don’t know how I do, it’s just my way to think since I lost everything when I lost my business because of the crisis despite all the time I spent working for it… Now I don’t search to be successful, I just want to enjoy my work and everything I do and to spend time with my son! If something becomes stressful, I take a break to ask myself if it’s really important … we have one only life, it’s so pity to loose it being stressed because of not really important things! ??

    • LizzieBee
      April 12, 2019

      Thank you so much sweetie for all of your support! You were right after all – I was stressing way too much and I’m so thankful to have people like you to give me advice and be there for me. You have such a positive outlook to life, and I hope to be like that, too!

  • Kimchi Cakes
    April 12, 2019

    i own those same pants.

  • Jenna Condon
    April 12, 2019

    I can definitely relate! I measure success based on accomplishments, but in the end it’s been pretty difficult to find contentment in that. To rest and be content no matter what I’m up to, is key! Thanks so sharing.
    http://abeautifulheart07.blogspot.com/

  • a n d i ✨
    April 12, 2019

    I definitely need to learn that not everything can be done – I’m normally so impatient that not only do I want to do everything, but I want it all done yesterday as well.. ??‍♀️

    Andi | http://www.andthenzen.co.uk

  • Aaliyah Hunt
    April 12, 2019

    I relate to this so much, I’ve been working so much recently and blogging as well s
    o sometimes I feel so worn out. I need to take a step back and stop which can be hard for me to do but I’m going to try! X

  • AnnieChanie
    April 12, 2019

    I definitely needed to hear all of this! I love my blog and I love my Uni work but it’s important to know when to take some time out and to just have fun. I tend to prioritise work over most other things and while it’s good to have a strong working ethic, balance is important and knowing when to take a break is a really vital too. Thanks for writing this!

  • Off a Small Island
    November 11, 2018

    Loving the jumper! And such good reminders, its so easy to get caught up in worrying about not doing enough!

  • Rumaanah
    April 12, 2019

    Some great tips on how to live more happily and not be overly focused on work and striving for that all the time. You’re so pretty and I love the photos. What I do is try to devote a self care day or couple each week and be as disconnected from working as possible. Thanks for sharing your tips Lizzie x

  • Giana Spiteri
    April 12, 2019

    I deffo agree with you here! We always get told we need to work at things everyday if we want to be successful but we’re only human! There will be days where we don’t have motivation and we shouldn’t force ourselves to do things, or else we’ll end up losing our passion for it x

    G

    https://www.teawithgi.com

  • What Corinne Did
    April 12, 2019

    Finding balance between everything I do has been so hard but I am getting better at it! I tried to do it all but it is exhausted and unhealthy so accepting that I can’t do it all, helped reconsider things and achieve a more balanced life =)

  • Lindsey
    April 12, 2019

    Oh my goodness I didn’t realise quite how much I needed this post until now. I have just spent my entire weekend trying to get stuff done and am not the slightest bit relaxed in order for it to be a Monday tomorrow. This is really inspirational – definitely going to be storing these tips away and try and have some refocus. Thank you!

  • Natalee
    April 12, 2019

    Aww I do love this post so much! It’s also so accurate and true and I feel the older you get the more we feel we have to hustle! I feel like the past 5 months I’ve only really been able to stop stressing about stuff and actually start enjoying life.

    I try and do a little bit of something everyday and if I don’t I try not to beat myself up too much about it. Sometimes it can be hard, especially when it comes to blogging but sod it. We only live once! 😀

    https://theremightbecoffee.wordpress.com/

  • ×t s u k i.-
    April 12, 2019

    I feel the same! Your advice really comes in handy at this time of the year. Also I’m trying my best to detox from my phone, I’m reading a book called “How to break up with your phone” and so far, so good! (and it also helped me pick up the habit of reading again and it’s helping me a lot with my anxiety). I really recommend that book if you haven’t read it yet, it’s easy to give a speed reading and very interesting about our habits as internet and smartphone addicts. I can’t wait to see the positive outcome in the future.

  • Emily Tyler
    April 12, 2019

    You need to look after yourself first and formost. Do what makes you happy. Hussle can be hard on the soul, so I totally agree with the less hussle theory

  • Eva
    April 12, 2019

    Ah, I love love this post! I am SO guilty of getting caught up in ‘the hustle’ and then feeling absolutely rubbish when I can’t get everything I’ve set myself done. Its so important to just ‘live more’ as you say! Once you accept that not everything can be done, and you can only try your best, you become so much more free, and in fact I find I become way more productive too! Great post Lizzie!

    http://www.whatevawears.co.uk

    • LizzieBee
      April 12, 2019

      Awh thank you so much Eva! And I know how you feel. Hopefully we can get over this mindset and live more!

  • Emily Harrison
    April 12, 2019

    I always struggle with this, such a good read! Adore your outfit too lovely xx

  • Gemma Turley
    April 12, 2019

    I definitely need to do this more, I spend so many days stressing that I’ve not done enough, or im not doing as well as someone else that I end up wasting the day away and not enjoying it.

  • Kieli Heart
    April 12, 2019

    Yesssss! Ran is such an inspiration. The more I read and watched the series, the more I wanted my life to be better. Yeah, she had her moments but some things that she believed in just resonated with me. I am happy that you are choosing to do things the way you want to. You got this. <3
    ~Kieli♥
    rainbowstarcandy.wordpress.com

  • Mary Lee
    April 12, 2019

    I love the ‘Best Time’ section the most! I’m trying to find inspo in how to be more productive. And stopping around the afternoon and winding down at night sounds perfect! I’m going to try it!

    illustrious-mari.blogspot.com

  • Yume
    April 12, 2019

    Thank you for your good vibes you are sharing! The quote from GALS is great too! I feel guilty how I could forget to have fun.. I always asking myself it is usefull what I am doing? Things should be fun not usefull…stupid capitalism thinking.

  • Love the transparency of this post! It’s something I also struggle with – I find that sometimes I get down because I don’t really have any plans but feel like I’m missing out. Yet I have loads of things I can be getting on with in regards to my business. I think it’s all about listening to what you need. If you need a break – take it, if you are feel motivated – own it and hustle!

    Hayley | hayleyxmartin

  • foundationsandfairytales
    April 12, 2019

    I loved reading this! I’m lucky enough that my job is Monday-Friday and there isn’t much work I can do from home so I have weekends free but that’s the time I dedicate to my blog. Before I’d put off going places because I had to write blog posts but I’ve realised that my blog will always be here when I have time for it but my loved ones may not so time spent with them always comes first!

    Jess // foundationsandfairytales.wordpress.com
    xx