0 comments
wtf is ‘maxxing’ and why are we applying it to literally the most normal things?
If you’ve been reading my musings, then you’ll know that I’ve been dedicating a good amount of time to bettering myself in recent years. But as much as I consider self-improvement a positive thing, as always, it’s most constructive in moderation.
Personally, I work best with a bit of structure. For one reason or another, if and when I’m able to stick to some semblance of a routine, life seems to flow a helluvalot easier.
I’m also heavily prone to criticising myself though, so the process often goes as follows:
I’m feeling a little off at the moment, maybe I should get back to doing what I’ve proved to myself is helpful on numerous occasions… yes, great idea, let’s write it down.
Cool, I’m accomplishing my favourite healthy activities again – I am That Girl!!!
Uh oh, what I used to enjoy now needs ticking off, that’s kinda intense.
Well, would you look at that, I’ve stopped engaging with them altogether.
Aaand I’m annoyed. Why can’t I maintain this level of productivity?
I’m gonna beat myself up about it.
This is a cycle I’m beyond familiar with by this point and one I’m focused on breaking away from because obviously, viewing practices that are designed to help me find peace and detach from the rat race as part of an agenda makes them entirely redundant.
The problem is, with where society’s headed, I can’t bloody escape.
On and offline, ‘maxxing’ culture has become so prevalent, so obsessed over that even sleep is being streamlined. In this capitalistic nightmare we’re forced to exist in and much like an iPhone, nothing is safe from an upgrade and there will never cease to be room to improve.
Bubbling up from the cesspool of incel forums on Reddit, the concept has metastasised into an inherently toxic lifestyle choice that way too many of us have begun to embrace.
You don’t have to be a sociologist to understand that this constant push for enhancement is wrapped up in our collective quest for perfection, which is concerningly normalised.
There’s the media, which still (no matter how much progress we’ve made) instructs us to be skinny, look flawless, and cower at the prospect of ageing. There’s also tons of pressure from all sides to get a degree, get a job, build a career, date, marry, buy a house, have kids, and so on. It’s not our really fault, but when are we going to wake up and realise that this is why we’re depressed, anxious, and insecure? Why we worry that we’re not enough?
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but no amount of ‘maxxing’ will fill that hole.
And, speaking from experience, nothing saps the joy out of an activity like trying to do it with ulterior motives or because you’re ‘less than’ if you fail to complete it.
With this in mind, my objective going forward is to only do yoga, journal, or meditate when it calls to me. To read for pleasure – and pleasure alone. To go for walks because I love being outside and connecting with nature, not because I have to hit ten thousand steps before the day is done. Whatever it is you’re into, I sincerely hope you’ll take the same approach.
Let’s leave ‘maxxing’ with the misogynists where it belongs.
Thanks for reading and make sure to subscribe for the latest news on Gen Z and youth culture. Also, don’t forget to check out The Gen Zer for a weekly roundup of more trending insights, stories, and discussions.
