Mindset

Ep 199. Breaking Up with Hustle Culture

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I'm Ashley!

My mission at The Purpose Gathering is to help driven momtogs like you level up, so you can build a sustainable business AND a fulfilling family life. I do that through authentic brand photography and my signature program for mompreneurs: The Efficient Mompreneur.

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How to Optimize Your Limited Time & Maximize your Revenue as a Mompreneur 

Are you feeling exhausted from trying to keep up with everything—your business, your family, your never-ending to-do list? Trust me, I get it.

Two years ago, I was sitting on my couch, feeling completely overwhelmed, when something terrifying happened. My vision blurred. I couldn’t think straight. My words wouldn’t come out.

I thought I was having a stroke.

My daughter panicked and called my husband. I was trying to explain what was happening, but my brain and my mouth just weren’t connecting. It was one of the scariest moments of my life.

That experience led me down a path of reevaluating everything—especially my relationship with hustle culture. And today, I want to share what I’ve learned so that you don’t have to wait for a wake-up call to start making a change.

The Hidden Dangers of Hustle Culture

I used to believe that success meant working harder, doing more, and constantly being busy. Hustle culture teaches us that:

✔️ If you’re not grinding, you’re falling behind.
✔️ Rest is a reward, not a necessity.
✔️ You can always squeeze in one more task before bedtime.

Sound familiar?

I didn’t think I was overworking myself—until my body shut down. I had been running on stress, skipping meals, working late into the night, and constantly telling my kids, “Just one more minute.”

But here’s the truth: Burnout doesn’t just affect you—it affects your family, your health, and your ability to show up for the things that truly matter.

I see so many moms trapped in this cycle, and I don’t want that for you.

The Moment That Changed Everything

After my ER visit, I realized my entire approach to business (and life) had to change. The doctors told me that my nervous system was completely overloaded, and I was on the verge of a serious breakdown.

It wasn’t a stroke. It was burnout at a dangerous level.

And the worst part? The same unhealthy patterns kept creeping back in. As I started planning my live event for mompreneurs, I felt the pull again—to work longer hours, sacrifice sleep, and push past my limits.

But this time, I recognized the warning signs. And I made the decision to do things differently.

Jesus Modeled Rest—So Why Don’t We?

One of the biggest mindset shifts I had to make was realizing that rest isn’t laziness—it’s obedience.

📖 Mark 6:31 – “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

Even Jesus, in the middle of His ministry, took time to rest. If He made rest a priority, who are we to think we can push through without it?

More importantly, our kids are watching. They’re learning from us:
✔️ What success looks like
✔️ What faithfulness looks like
✔️ What surrender looks like

When we constantly push ourselves to the brink, what message are we sending them? I want my kids to see rest as a requirement, not a luxury.

Breaking Free from Hustle Culture: 6 Ways to Reclaim Your Peace

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, here are some practical ways to reset and take back control of your time and energy:

• Schedule Rest First – Block out downtime before filling your calendar with work tasks.
• Create a Soul-Care Ritual – Start and end your day with prayer, journaling, or quiet reflection.
• Turn Off Notifications – Stop letting your phone dictate your priorities.
• No Phone for the First & Last Hour of the Day – Charge it in another room and use an actual alarm clock.
• Practice Deep Breathing – Try box breathing to reset your nervous system in stressful moments.
• Leave Space Between Appointments – Give yourself room to breathe and transition between tasks.

These aren’t just productivity tips. They’re spiritual practices that align us with God’s design for work and rest.

A Special Invitation: TPG Live 2025

If this message is hitting home for you, I want to personally invite you to an event that will change the way you approach business and life.

TPG Live 2025 is happening April 16-17 in Gilbert, Arizona!

This isn’t your typical business conference. 35% of this event is dedicated to connection, implementation, and rest.

• Learn how to grow your business while honoring God’s design for rest.
• Step into a community of like-minded mompreneurs who are done with the hustle mentality.
• Walk away with a plan you can actually follow—without burning yourself out.

Join us in person or virtually! Get your ticket here: ThePurposeGathering.com/TPGLive

It’s Time to Slow Down and Trust God

Mama, I know how hard it is to break free from hustle culture. But you are not meant to run on empty.

You were created for more than burnout.

So take a breath. Take a step back. And start living at the pace God designed for you.

I’d love to hear from you—what’s one thing you can do this week to slow down and reclaim your rest? Share it with me on Instagram @thepurposegathering, and let’s do this together.

You don’t have to hustle to be worthy. You are already enough.

I’m rooting for you always.

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Complimentary Episodes:

  1. Ep 198. Finding Peace in the Messy Middle
  2. Ep 187. Get Out Of Your Head + Start Living Your Life with Carla Reeves
  3. Ep 184. Navigating the All In or Burn it Down Mentality
  4. Ep 77. The Key to Preventing Burnout
  5. Browse All Mindset Related Episodes

Resources:

  1. The Purpose Gathering Live – A transformative two-day experience for women ready to trade worldly hustle for Kingdom impact, where you’ll learn to infuse God’s wisdom into every area of life and discover sustainable success His way
  2. Local to Gilbert/Mesa Arizona (For Mom Business Owners) Join our in person membership community
  3. Need support managing your time well and creating systems to streamline your business? Join the Organized CEO Bootcamp (6 Week Group Program)
  4. Message me on Voxer (My username is afreehan)
  5. Have a question for me? Or a specific struggle you’re dealing with? I’ll address your question on the podcast. Submit your ‘Ask Ashley’ question here

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My mission is to help fellow mom business owners experience success in business and in motherhood. As an Arizona brand photographer for mompreneurs, I’m passionate about capturing authentic images that show off my clients’ unique personalities so they can connect with their ideal clients. And as an online business coach for mompreneurs, I LIVE for helping mamas experience incredible transformations that help them build a business they love, without sacrificing their precious time with their littles.

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