Member-only story
When the Body Says “Enough”
My Journey Through Burnout, Symptoms, and Self-Discovery
A couple of years ago, I left London for Amsterdam. The move wasn’t really my choice. It happened due to circumstances, and while I tried to make the best of it, part of me was still grieving the life I had left behind. But then, I landed a job I had truly wanted for a long time. It felt like a win, like proof that things were aligning. I was motivated — even excited. I threw myself into it completely, working 10 to 12 hour days from the very beginning. I didn’t mind. I loved what I was doing.
Or at least, I thought I did.
What I didn’t realize was that I was slowly building up pressure inside my body. I hadn’t learned to say no yet. I didn’t know how to set boundaries. I kept going. More projects. More responsibility. More hours. It was like my worth was measured by how much I could carry. And I carried a lot. Until one day, something cracked.
The Day Everything Shifted
It happened during a day-long company event. There were a lot of people. Noise. Conversations. Bright lights. I remember smiling, trying to stay engaged. And then, something shifted. I felt dizzy. Off-balance. Like my legs were walking but I wasn’t fully inside my body. It was surreal and terrifying. I tried to stay…
