Western and eastern countries sell a false dream of success through hard work. Industriousness, assiduousness, and hard work—these are not virtues, yet they are believed to be by many. Those who do not exert effort, or who embrace idleness, whether by choice or due to illness that prevents them from working, are viewed with disdain by society. Yet this disdain stems from envy, exposing an underlying dislike of modern work that most people are too in denial to openly share and for fear that society will see them as a whiner. Toxic positivity—the excessive promotion of a positive mindset, ignoring or invalidating negative emotions—helps perpetuate this ridiculous acceptance of shit work and the myth that employment improves mental health.
Modern work forces you to give up on other, more profound virtues, pleasures and hobbies that shape the individual. In employment, you are compelled to become someone else; to be what your employer and its clients expect you to be, and to conform to frivolous social norms and conventions in order to gain acceptance in the office. This comes at the cost of living a simple life free from conformity, a life that allows the individual to flourish. The nonconforming, simple life is profound because it allows the individual to withdraw from the confinement imposed by another flawed human.
Excess productivity, driven by the ideal of employment and the glorification of arduous exertion, causes significant physical and psychological harm. Those who embrace idleness, tranquillity, and the shedding of burdens have come to terms with the reality that hard work is not a desirable state of living. Industriousness is merely a choice, or a reflection of personality. Humanity should not be guilted by the masses or political authorities simply because their choices, values, and desires differ from the rest.
