It was August 2025, when my life flipped outside down. I had been working almost non-stop for almost 5 years, pushing myself to extremes just to achieve more than I accounted myself for. My mind was begging me to stop, as I’ve come to the realization that I have lost myself on the way of finding my career.

It was the biggest burnout I had ever been through.
” I was so ahead of the curve, the curve became a sphere.”

So, I quit my job, took a sabbatical from the entire creative industry and picked up some new hobbies along the way. I spent 6 months trying to ‘find or reinvent’ myself, just to end up with nothing. Or so I thought…

Along the way, I found that I had perfected the art of burning out; at least in my personal opinion. Here’s what I discovered;

Phase 1 - BURN THE ENTIRE CANDLE

If you’re going to burn out, then you better do it right. The right way is to keep burning until your candle runs out and I don’t mean that in the literal sense. The way you need to realize what you’re going through; sometimes we mistake lazy for burnout and while it might be a catalyst it is not the same.

Identify your feelings, you know your mind better than anyone else; try to rationalize it. As yourself the following questions:

• How long have I been feeling this way?

• Did a specific situation trigger this feeling, or did it cause it?

• Is this a recurring feeling or something new?

The answers are going to help rationalize your thoughts, differentiating between being lazy and this is an actual burnout.

Lazy is something you can fix almost instantly.
A burnout requires an action plan.


Phase 2 - GIVE ADAPTATION A TRY

I’m going to assume that you’re in your twenties, which means you’re at the age that’s all about constant growth and change. Key word here is constant; therefore, one way or another you’re going to have to adapt to some circumstances.

The burnout you’re going through right now can sometimes be a sign, that something you’re doing right now isn’t working. Either reevaluate and change or control the narrative. Often times, when we’re consumed by many thing we feel a loss of control over our own lives.

Think of it as an equation

new experiences + constant change + figuring it out x roaring twenties = human overload accumulated by all of the above.

Give yourself a break, like I said you’re figuring it out so take a deep breath, ditch the overbearing inner thoughts and give it another try.

Phase 3 - TIME IS KEY

No, it’s not giving up, it’s called leaving what’s not working for you aka a leap of faith.
To me it was a mixture of unmotivating work and personal issues. The only solution was to quit my job, start a new chapter in the story of finding myself.
Now I’m not saying be crazy and do exactly the same, just change your perspective on what you want. You don’t need to quit your job for that (that if your job isn’t the problem, if it is then find a new job and QUIT)

While on my sabbatical, I allowed myself one week to mourn the person I was during the burnout because as stupid as that sounds; she was also figuring it out. Then I made an action plan that included but not inclusive to trying new things, give myself time to understand this new person I’m becoming. I also tried new jobs that have absolutely nothing to do with my work, it helped me view different priorities and responsibilities.

Another important note, I gave myself a deadline.
6 months to get my bullshit together, burnouts are a pitstop not the entire destination. Burnouts are completely normal, think of them as the death of a Phoenix, before they are reborn, they technically die and burn themselves. Don’t give in the bed rot, it might be tempting but there’s a fine line between bed rotting and losing yourself. Give yourself a deadline if you abide by them well. Burnouts don’t mean you’re failing, it means you’re growing and changing.

And that’s it, for now I’m sure the question on your mind is
DID IT WORK FOR YOU?

let’s find out in pt.2