Have you ever felt like catching up on things seems nearly impossible, no matter how much effort you put in? It's a familiar feeling among corporate workers, especially high achievers who hold onto their company's values like they were theirs. It is as if the company you have committed to has become your identity.
The moment I realized I needed to leave my career to improve my well-being is precisely where my current journey begins. I had an extreme need to excel in my career, which became an open invitation for my employer to load as many tasks as humanly possible onto one person. The long hours and ongoing meetings about meetings left me feeling exhausted, frustrated, and downright unmotivated. It was excruciating because I was committed to a place that no longer shared my values or vision. It's almost like trying to escape a bad relationship with a partner you depend on extensively, but you learn they will leave you stranded in the desert and not look back.
Inheriting Career Burnout : My Rise to the Top
I had taken a non-traditional road to a career in Influencer Marketing (more to share later). My path to success moved quickly, partially because I was a thirty-something-year-old mother with her feet planted firmly on the ground. I was spicy and street savvy, something you do not get from college. However, after making it into a leadership role and liaising with executives on things they didn't understand, I started to feel the weight of burnout creeping in. My face started to look drained like I had been governor of the state for multiple terms. It began with minor symptoms like fatigue and lack of focus, but soon, it turned into a full-blown crisis. I was struggling to get out of bed, my work performance was declining, and I was constantly on edge. I knew I needed to quit my job, but something was holding me back.
Seeking Mentorship & Kind Words from Successful Business Women
I remember my last few days like it was yesterday. I was traveling to NYC for a conference and stumbled upon Laura Nguyen on LinkedIn. Her content talked about the stages of burnout, like this post. It became evident that I was stage FIVE! I was up against a wall at work, my wrist had reconstructive surgery after a bad break in May, our dog died unexpectedly in June (on my birthday), and I was neglecting everything else around me. I was so sad that I even contacted Laura directly for advice! Yes, she replied and provided me a shoulder to lean on when I needed it the most.
What did I do next, you ask?
I pulled myself together on the plane to NYC, delivered a killer panel at the conference, celebrated for the last time with some long-time co-workers (I miss them dearly), and took an unreasonable thrashing from my boss (instead of the congratulations I deserved). It was as if the universe was sending me a sign to get the hell out of the job immediately. So, I decided to take a sabbatical from work. Leaving a career can be a hard decision, especially when it's a job that you've invested so much blood, sweat, and tears into. But there was no hesitation on what needed to happen at that moment.
Quitting My Job was the Best Thing I Ever Did
Fast forward to today, almost a year after leaving my career, I have finally dug myself out of the corporate mold I had become. However, I am faced with a shifting job market, years of experience that makes me hesitant to jump back into corporate, and a desire to be successful. This personal journey is the moment we find out what's next, and I am excited to try new things with you!
Continue watching me find a new balance in this changing world by following me on Instagram. I hope you are as excited as I am to be on this Defiant Journey.
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