Finding Freedom: Letting Go of the Hustle to Live Authentically
"I was so tired of pretending I had it all together. The hustle, the constant pressure, the endless striving—it wasn’t making me happy. It was time to realign and find real freedom."
I spent years living under the illusion that if I just hustled harder, I'd find happiness. The idea of "having it all together" was like a shiny badge I thought I needed to earn. But deep down, I knew the truth: I was crumbling, and the hustle wasn't bringing me closer to joy—it was pushing me further away from it.
For so long, I wore my achievements like armor, hoping they'd protect me from feeling not good enough. I chased the perfect career, the perfect body, the perfect life—all while ignoring the whispers in my soul telling me that something was missing. I believed if I just checked all the boxes, I'd finally feel free.
But the reality was that every new achievement felt empty. Each milestone that I thought would bring fulfillment left me feeling hollow and even more disconnected from myself. It wasn't until I hit my breaking point—the lowest of lows—that I realized I was chasing after the wrong kind of success.
What I truly wanted wasn't more accolades or a bigger to-do list. What I wanted was freedom. Freedom to live without the constant pressure to be perfect. Freedom to strip away all the expectations I had let others put on me. Freedom to step into who I truly am, without apology.
Finding freedom wasn't an overnight transformation. It was a messy, uncomfortable process of letting go—of unlearning the belief that my worth was tied to my productivity, my appearance, or my accomplishments. I had to choose myself, over and over again, even when it felt scary.
I had to embrace the idea that freedom isn't something we earn—it's something we create. It's about choosing to live in alignment with who we are, rather than striving to be who we think we need to be.
If you're tired of hustling and feel like you're drowning in a life that looks successful on the outside but feels empty on the inside, know this: you're not alone. The journey to freedom isn't easy, but it's worth every step. It's about reconnecting with your own voice, letting go of the expectations that don't belong to you, and creating a life that feels truly yours.
I invite you to start small today. Take one thing—just one expectation, one belief, one "should"—and let it go. Free yourself from something that no longer serves you.
I'd love to hear about it. Share in the comments below: what's one thing you're letting go of today?
Let's support each other in choosing alignment over hustle. Let's create a life of freedom, together.
XO,
Rachel
—--
PS:
For real, raw conversations and inspiring stories that help you become your best and most confident self, tune into The Confident Woman Podcast. Listen here.
Get your weekly inspiration and actionable steps toward a life of freedom, passion, and purpose. Join The Confident Woman Weekly Newsletter. Delivered every Thursday, it's curated for faith-fueled, purpose-driven women—just 5 minutes to uplift your week. Subscribe here.
Want to create meaningful impact and amplify your influence? Check out The Confident Woman Impact Accelerator. It's your guide to building confidence, aligning your goals, and making a difference—all on your own terms. Join us here.
Learn more about how to build a legacy that lasts beyond you with the Legacy Builders Program. Learn more here.