Stream of Consciousness
Why “Working Harder” Is the Fastest Way to Burn Out. AI-Generated.
In the age of hustle culture, the idea of working harder is often romanticized. We hear phrases like “Grind now, shine later” and “Sleep is for the weak” plastered across social media feeds, often paired with images of late-night desk lamps and coffee cups. The message is clear: success belongs to those willing to outwork everyone else. On the surface, this advice feels empowering. It appeals to our ambition and reinforces the belief that dedication and long hours are the ultimate keys to achievement. But beneath the glossy motivational quotes lies a harsh truth—working harder, without strategy or rest, is one of the fastest and most direct routes to burnout.
By studio zoom6 months ago in Humans
Two Important Lessons to Learn Before 2025 Ends
Greetings, Vocal readers! It's been forever and a day since I've written a story on here. If you're struggling low self-esteem and confidence issues, this story might be for you. 2025 will come to a close before you know it. I'm going to share a story about my personal struggles dealing with self-esteem and a lack of confidence. Before I proceed any further, be sure to like this story if you enjoyed it, subscribe to my page, follow me on my social media pages, and please kindly send me a one-off tip at the end of this story, as you'll be supporting creators like me and encouraging us to write and publish new stories.
By Mark Wesley Pritchard 6 months ago in Humans
The power of right words
It was a rainy Tuesday morning when Adeel Khan stepped into the conference room for his first day at his new marketing job. The floor-to-ceiling glass walls reflected not only the city skyline but also the nervousness in his eyes. He wasn’t sure if he could make a strong impression on his colleagues.
By Danyal Hashmi6 months ago in Humans
Early Warning Signs of Depression
A few years back, my friend Sarah started fading from our weekend coffee crew. At first, I figured she was just swamped life gets hectic, you know? But then her replies to my texts got short, almost like she was typing with one hand while distracted. She stopped gushing about her latest art projects, which used to light her up like nothing else. Calls went unanswered, and when we did talk, her spark was just… gone. Months later, she opened up: she’d been wrestling with depression, slipping into it so quietly she didn’t even see it coming.
By ziaullahkhankhalil6 months ago in Humans
No One from No Where
There is no one here but I. The place on which I stand is an island in space. It is not very large, but there is room to walk around. One end looks into an endless sea of stars that have long died out, their light just now reaching me. At the other end, a beautiful nebula.
By Anna Boisvert6 months ago in Humans
Ageing Like a Fine Wine
“Your 40s are good. Your 50s are great. Your 60s are fab. And 70 is fucking awesome!” ~Helen Mirren I found it surreal the day I turned fifty, seeing those two numbers standing to attention: five and nought, splashed all over my birthday cards. It felt curiously deceiving.
By Chantal Christie Weiss6 months ago in Humans
Burnout Isn’t Laziness—It’s Emotional Exhaustion in Disguise
We often mistake burnout for laziness. We call ourselves unmotivated, undisciplined, or just “bad at adulting”—especially when we’re too tired to keep up with life. But what if what you're feeling isn’t failure... but a quiet form of emotional collapse?
By Leigh Cala-or6 months ago in Humans
Overthinking: The Mind’s Never-Ending Loop
Sophia was known among her friends as the thinker—someone who carefully analyzed every detail before making decisions. She prided herself on being thorough, cautious, and prepared. But recently, her mind had become a relentless maze of questions, doubts, and “what ifs” that left her feeling stuck, anxious, and exhausted.
By Najeeb Scholer6 months ago in Humans
