Create More by Doing Less: Breaking Free from Hustle Culture After 40
by Kimberley Roberts | SolefulYin
Here's something that still blows my mind — something that’s quietly draining so many of us, especially those of us over 40: the hustle.
Let’s be real… hustle culture is exhausting. And as we age, it doesn’t just get harder — it gets unsustainable.
Why Hustling No Longer Works (and Never Really Did)
Back in your 20s, maybe you could pull all-nighters, down a pitcher of beer, eat a whole pizza, and bounce back the next day. But now? That same pace knocks us out for days.
The truth is, the same thing happens with overworking. The body can’t sustain constant pushing and striving. It needs rest, ease, and flow — not friction.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, your Liver energy loves flow. It thrives when you move gently, when things feel easy and aligned — the complete opposite of hustling. When you’re in constant “go” mode, your Liver energy stagnates. You feel stuck, irritable, drained, or even creatively blocked.
So what’s the antidote?
Doing less. Pausing. Moving slower.
And I know that can feel scary — especially if you’ve spent decades believing that your worth comes from productivity. I’ve been there.
My Story: From Corporate Hustle to Calm Clarity
For years, I lived in the corporate world — 14-hour days, constant pressure, endless striving. I thought leaving to start my own business would bring freedom. But ironically, I pushed even harder. I swapped one kind of hustle for another.
Rest felt wrong. Guilty. Like I was falling behind.
Can you relate?
But then, I started experimenting.
With Yin Yoga. Breath work. Acupressure. Reflexology. Meditation.
And something beautiful happened.
I discovered the power of pausing.
When I slowed down, my nervous system softened. Clarity replaced chaos. Inspiration flowed. My best ideas for classes and programs came not when I was hustling — but when I was lying in stillness on my mat.
Doing less actually helped me create more.
Now, I work about 20 hours a week — and I feel more fulfilled, calm, and creative than I ever did working 70+ hours.
A 2-Minute Pause to Feel the Shift ✨
Let’s experience this together right now.
🧘♀️ Mini Breath + Acupressure Practice
Find a comfortable seat or lie down.
Place one hand on your lower belly.
With your other hand, use your thumb to press into the center of your palm — this is Pericardium 8, a powerful acupressure point for calming the heart, easing anxiety, and soothing heat and tension.
Breathe in through your nose for 4 counts.
Hold briefly.
Exhale through the mouth for 6 counts.Repeat 3-4 times, switching hands halfway through.
Now pause. Notice how you feel.
Can you sense a little more ease? Maybe a lightness or warmth in the palms, a softer belly, a calmer heart?
That’s your nervous system rebalancing in real time.
Even a 2-minute pause can reset your energy.
Rest Is Not Laziness — It’s Productive
We’ve been conditioned to believe that rest equals laziness. But the truth?
Rest is the most fertile ground for your best ideas, health, and joy.
When you slow down:
Your nervous system moves into the parasympathetic state (rest and digest)
Your Liver energy flows with ease
You become more creative, inspired, and grounded
You show up with calm confidence
So if you’ve been pushing, striving, or proving yourself for decades…
It’s time to stop.
You’ve earned the right to live your extraordinary life — with ease, joy, and balance.
Start Your Pause Practice
If that mini reset felt good, imagine what a consistent practice could do for you.
You don’t need hours — just a few minutes a day can change everything.
✨ I’ve created three free Yin Yoga classes here to get you started:
🧘♀️ Acupressure Meditation for Inner Peace
🌸 Abundance Meditation to shift from lack to flow
💫 60-Minute Yin Practice for tight hips and shoulders
Or if you’re ready to go deeper, try the 14-Day Unwind & Calm Series — a soothing journey designed to help you regulate your nervous system, release tension, and feel deeply rested.
You can find this series and all my series inside the SolefulYin Yoga app — available as part of a 7-day free trial or as stand-alone programs. 🌿
Give Yourself Permission to Pause
Start small — even 2 minutes.
Breathe. Press into that calming point in your palm. Step outside for a 20-minute walk. Roll out your mat for a short Yin session.
Bit by bit, you’ll retrain your body and mind to thrive in stillness.
Because you don’t need to hustle to be worthy.
You simply need to be.
Here’s to creating more by doing less — and living your most extraordinary life.
Ready to slow down and feel amazing?
👉 Try the SolefulYin Yoga App Free for 7 Days
👉 Explore the 14-Day Unwind & Calm Series
And if this message resonated, share this post with a friend who’s been hustling too hard. Let’s remind each other that rest is the NEW BLACK.