From Hustle to Burnout: My Journey to Digital Well-being
The Pressure to Always Be “On”
At 19, I stepped into the corporate world full of ambition and curiosity. After a year of coaching teenagers in personal development, I wanted hands-on experience in business. I quickly climbed the ranks, moving from customer service to an innovation manager at a startup, and eventually becoming an operational manager in a corporation. Like many young professionals, I believed success meant working hard, staying available, and always being “on.” But that mindset came at a cost.
From the moment I woke up, I was connected – emails, Slack messages, social media updates. The constant buzz of notifications kept me engaged, but also distracted, overwhelmed, and disconnected from what truly mattered. I was giving my energy to everything except myself.
The Breaking Point: Burnout at 23
I poured my time, loyalty, and effort into proving myself, ensuring I was doing my part, and fitting into the fast-paced startup world. But the long hours, the endless notifications, and the pressure to always perform eventually took their toll. By 23, I was burned out—mentally exhausted, emotionally drained, and physically depleted. It was a wake-up call I couldn’t ignore.
Stepping away from the hustle culture wasn’t easy. It felt unnatural at first, as if slowing down meant falling behind. But deep down, I knew something had to change. I took a year and a half to recover, focusing on my health, rebuilding my energy, and questioning everything I once believed about work, productivity, and success.
The Digital Overwhelm That No One Talks About
When I returned to the corporate world, I noticed something alarming—I wasn’t the only one struggling. Many young professionals around me were dealing with the same exhaustion, the same inability to focus, and the same pressure to always be digitally available.
After the events of 2020, the boundary between work and life blurred even further. Remote work, endless Zoom calls, and the expectation to be constantly reachable made it harder than ever to disconnect. Why were we all so overwhelmed? And why was technology—something designed to make life easier—only making it harder?
The Turning Point: A Year-Long Digital Detox
In December 2022, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I committed to a year-long digital detox—no social media, strict limits on emails and calls, and a complete shift in how I worked and communicated. It wasn’t about eliminating technology altogether but learning to use it with intention.
Through this process, I rediscovered the power of digital well-being, slow living, and mindful productivity. I learned that:
- Productivity isn’t about working faster—it’s about working smarter.
- Presence is more valuable than constant availability.
- True success comes from balance, not burnout.
A New Mission: Helping Others Reclaim Their Time
While managing a team of young professionals, I saw the same struggles I had faced—difficulty focusing, constant digital distractions, and a feeling of always playing catch-up. It became clear that we don’t just need better personal habits—we need better systems, better leadership, and a workplace culture that prioritizes digital well-being.
That’s why I started The Year of Growth. My mission is to help ambitious professionals break free from screen overwhelm, create healthier digital habits, and build a more mindful, balanced way of working and living.
If my journey resonates with you, know that you don’t have to keep running on empty. Digital well-being isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity for sustainable success.
📌 Ready to take the first step? Start by setting one simple digital boundary this week. Whether it’s turning off notifications after work or taking a social media break, small changes lead to big transformations. Or enter one of our programs and move your journey forward together.
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