grit
Grit is lauded as the holy grail of achievement, even though it often functions as an unmarked trap compelling pointless persistence. It serves as the marketing slogan on countless self-help manuals, shifting blame to the unworthy when dreams remain unfulfilled. A set of invisible shackles masquerading as empowerment, it justifies endless toil. Rather than elevating us to new heights, it revels in the exhaustion of the weary. Ultimately, grit is the polite coercion we use to push ourselves and others into the arms of burnout.