The Reality Of Burnout: My Story Of Hitting Rock Bottom

Feeling the pressure of constant hustle? You’re not alone. I recount my experience with burnout and how it reshaped my approach to work and life.

Unfortunately, many of us have been there – working ourselves to the brink, convinced that constant hustle is the only path to success. In a busy city like Hong Kong, the workaholic culture is all too real. This relentless pursuit of achievement, often glorified as a status symbol, leaves many of us grappling with burnout. But what if there’s another way? Discover my experience with burnout, the hard lessons I learned, and how we might all find a healthier, more balanced approach to work and life.

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The Workaholic Culture In Hong Kong

In 2022, Kisi conducted a study examining 100 cities to determine which ones offer the healthiest work-life balance, and the findings were alarming for Hong Kong. It ranked as the second most overworked city. This workaholic culture is often traced back to deep-seated conditioning, where success is equated with hard work. Our initial job experiences further cement these norms, making it hard to break away from the overwork mindset. Overworking, especially among middle and upper-class “knowledge workers”, is often romanticised as a status symbol of success. In addition, companies expect constant availability, perpetuating the overwork culture. For some, there’s even a performative aspect to this grind – showcasing new designer items, boasting about “dream jobs” or even flaunting exhaustion as a badge of honour.

Despite these pressures, there’s a growing recognition of the harmful effects of this culture, leading to a slow shift towards valuing balance and mental well-being. However, the transition isn’t smooth, and our work culture often results in severe burnout. Addressing the root causes of burnout is crucial as we push for a healthier work-life balance.

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What Is Burnout?

Burnout is officially recognised by the World Health Organization (WHO) as an occupational phenomenon, not a medical condition, stemming from chronic workplace stress that remains unmanaged. The symptoms include energy depletion, increased mental distance or cynicism towards one’s job, and reduced professional efficacy. It emphasises that burnout is linked to environmental stressors, not personal weakness. This perspective suggests that fixing the workplace is the primary solution to combating burnout.

But I beg to differ. Can we always fix our workplaces right away? Is this a realistic feat? While addressing workplace stressors is crucial, making these changes will take time. Structural and cultural issues can be deeply ingrained, making it difficult to initiate change quickly. In the meantime, we should equip ourselves with tools to manage stress and prioritise self-care.

The Breaking Point: When Everything Comes Crashing Down

My own encounter with burnout came unexpectedly and left me feeling utterly lost. At 25, after a career change and opening two businesses, I found myself exhausted from years of relentless work since the age of 15. As a perfectionist and over-achiever, my life appeared enviable on Instagram – full of coffee-fuelled productivity and jet-setting adventures. But behind the scenes, I was chronically stressed, battling anxiety and feeling depressed. My immune system was compromised, my digestion was a mess and I didn’t want to get out of bed. Socialising felt like a chore, and I began isolating myself from friends.

I ignored the signs of burnout for far too long, convincing myself that everyone else seemed to cope just fine. It wasn’t until my body reached its breaking point and I physically couldn’t get out of bed that I had to confront the reality of my situation. Burnout had taken a severe toll on my mind and body, and the fear of looking weak prevented me from seeking help. Looking back, I wish I had recognised the signs sooner and taken steps to prioritise my well-being before reaching such a critical point.

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How I Recovered From Burnout

Eventually, I realised I needed to rebuild my social life and make genuine connections. It’s easy to withdraw when you’re feeling low, convinced you’re no fun to be around. But staying isolated only makes things worse. I forced myself to reach out and found that even small interactions helped lift my spirits. These days, I try to be kinder to myself, focusing on what I need rather than just what others expect of me. It’s a tough shift, especially when you’re conditioned to prioritise work and productivity over personal well-being, but it’s crucial for recovery.

One of the biggest lessons I learned was the importance of prioritising. Initially, it felt overwhelming to decide what truly mattered each day, but making a physical list of priorities helped. Each morning, I would review or edit my list to remind myself of the day’s focus. This practice was instrumental in my recovery. It taught me that not everything can be a priority at the same time, and that’s okay. Some days, my priority is work; other days, it’s self-care. Checking in with myself regularly helps me stay balanced and prevents me from falling back into old habits. Setting boundaries and learning to say no have also been essential. As a recovering people pleaser, this was difficult, but it’s better to be honest about your limits. Recovery is not a one-size-fits-all journey, but taking time to reflect on your needs can make a significant difference.

Lessons Learned From My Burnout Experience

Burning out because of unrealistic expectations and constant judgment at work took a severe toll on my mental and physical well-being. Reflecting on my experience, I realised the importance of assessing whether these challenges were within my control or beyond my influence. I learned to stop reacting impulsively to every stressor and started to pick my battles, accepting that some situations were simply beyond my scope of influence. Embracing this mindset brought me true peace and wisdom. I also had to let go of the belief that I needed to work until I broke. Choosing happiness and taking full responsibility for it, while believing that life and work can be light and fun, was transformative. How might your world change if you dared to try this mindset? The results, as I found, could be truly life-changing. Will you dare to try it with me?

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