I Burned Out and Quit My Career. It Led Me to a New Way of Thinking.
Business Insider • • health
Key Points:
- Alice Kim experienced six years of burnout working in investment banking and private equity, initially pushing through with grit but eventually feeling exhausted and unmotivated despite moving to roles with better work-life balance.
- Her burnout manifested as a pervasive sense of dread and loss of motivation, exacerbated by long hours, chronic stress, and perfectionist tendencies, which made her feel trapped and disconnected from her identity as a hard worker.
- A spontaneous surfing trip during a vacation sparked a desire for change, leading her to resign and take a career break, but she found that time alone did not heal her burnout due to underlying mindset issues.
- Kim realized her burnout was tied to her core belief system equating self-worth with productivity, which followed her into freelance work and even surfing, prompting her to gradually deconstruct these toxic patterns.
- She is now focused on building a flexible, portfolio career that aligns with her values, combining strategic finance freelancing with social media work, prioritizing freedom and remote work despite the challenges of working across time zones.
