How I Overcame Burnout

As the founder of Early Bright New York, I shared in a previous post how I faced burnout, eventually left my job, and found the inspiration to start my own company. I firmly believe that life often throws us into turbulent storms of challenges, and only those who persevere through them are rewarded with the opportunity to step into the next stage of life. In the end, I managed to overcome burnout, and it has brought me to where I am today.

In this article, I want to share how I managed to break free from burnout. If you’ve ever experienced burnout yourself, or if you’re currently feeling like you’re navigating through a dark tunnel in life, I encourage you to read on. I hope that my small story can offer you some insight and encouragement.

I Couldn’t Let Myself Die in New York

It might sound like an extreme expression, but if you’ve ever experienced burnout, you’ve probably found yourself entertaining similarly dark thoughts, perhaps even tinged with a little depression. Five years ago, after quitting my job and facing what felt like the end of my career, I lay in bed staring at the blank white ceiling, asking myself, “Is this it for me? Am I done?”

At the time, I was working in the beauty industry. I had no desire to go back, nor did I want to simply continue on the same path. I wanted to start something new, to challenge myself from scratch. But with that desire came fear—a lot of fear, if I’m being honest. Most of us know that feeling, the overwhelming anxiety that comes with embarking on something new and unfamiliar.

The next day, I decided to shift my mindset. After all, the one thing unemployed people have is time. So, I ventured out into Manhattan during the hours I would’ve typically been in an office. I strolled aimlessly, soaking in the city at a slower pace than usual, and found myself watching the sunset over Manhattan.

Standing there, bathed in the intense light of the setting sun, surrounded by the hustle and bustle of people and the iconic yellow cabs that define New York City, a thought struck me: “So many people are out here fighting to survive and thrive in this relentless city.”

And then, almost as if instinctively, I thought to myself, “I can’t let myself die here.”

It was in that moment that something shifted. I resolved to stand tall in this city, to thrive as a part of it. I wanted to prove to myself—and maybe even to the people in my former industry—that I could succeed in a completely new field. I wanted to leave my mark, to show them and myself that I was capable of building something extraordinary from scratch.

Since that day, I’ve kept this vision alive in my mind. I even printed out a picture of that Manhattan sunset and hung it on my wall as a reminder of the moment I decided to fight for a new chapter of my life.

Never, Ever Give Up

That’s the mindset I embraced as I dove into a completely new field, just like the frog in that famous illustration: even in the worst circumstances, refusing to give up by clinging to life—like squeezing the pelican’s throat to avoid being swallowed. I pushed forward with that same unrelenting determination.

If you’re currently facing difficult times, I encourage you to save that image and look at it every day. I truly believe it will help you persevere, just as it did for me.

Following that pivotal moment, I decided to take on a new challenge and ventured into the e-commerce industry. Since 2019, I’ve documented my entrepreneurial journey through YouTube and social media, sharing my ups and downs with the world. And now, at the end of 2024, I stand here once again, ready to embark on yet another challenge.

Was it hard? Of course. Did I feel burnt out along the way? Absolutely. And if you’re wondering how I overcame it all, I’ll share just three key things that helped me get through.

1. Be Someone Your Past Self Wouldn’t Be Ashamed Of

We all have moments in our past that we look back on with pride—those "glory days" when life felt brighter and full of accomplishments. For me, those memories came from my time in my previous job. It was a mix of successes and challenges, but I cherished that chapter of my life, wearing it like a badge of honor.

The first step is to acknowledge your journey. Appreciate the road you’ve traveled, because it’s the reason you are where you are today. Instead of asking yourself, “Why am I not as successful as I used to be?” remind yourself that the person you were back then laid the foundation for who you are now.

What truly matters is this: are you living today in a way that your past self would be proud of?

Each day, I worked toward being someone my former self would look up to rather than be ashamed of. That mindset kept me moving forward and helped me climb out of burnout. It wasn’t about competing with others—it was about being better than the version of myself who might’ve given up.

So, embrace your past, but don’t let it define you. Instead, let it inspire you to grow. This perspective was a key part of my recovery and my drive to keep pushing forward.

2. Run to Forget, Run to Move Forward, and Run to Achieve

To become someone my past self wouldn’t be ashamed of, I knew I needed to strengthen both my mind and body. And for me, the best way to do that was through running.

We all carry painful memories from the past. Often, burnout comes from the weight of those memories pressing down on us, leaving us paralyzed and unwilling to do anything. For me, running was the key to letting go of those heavy thoughts.

• I ran to overcome burnout.

• I ran to move forward in my life.

• I ran to achieve new things in a completely different field.

And yes, I ran to forget the painful memories of the past.

As I kept running, the pain and heaviness of the past started to fade. All I could hear was the pounding of my heartbeat and the rhythm of my breath. My body pushed itself forward, and my mind followed.

Running wasn’t just about physical fitness; it became a way to train both my body and my mental resilience. It was a reminder to keep moving, no matter what.

If you’re stuck in the dark tunnel of burnout, I urge you to try running. Run until you can hear nothing but your own heartbeat. Run until you feel your body and mind sync, and the weight on your shoulders starts to lift.

Running helped me see the light at the end of that tunnel. And now, here I am. But what was the final piece that helped me overcome burnout? Let’s move to the last point.

3. Read, Read, and Read Some More

To become someone my past self could be proud of, I didn’t just run—I also turned to books. I read tirelessly, diving into one book after another. At first, it felt like the words weren’t sinking in, as if my mind couldn’t focus. But just like any practice, persistence led to progress. The more I read, the more things started to click.

Slowly but surely, the old, stagnant thoughts that had been holding me back began to clear away. My mind felt like it was being detoxed, cleansed of outdated ideas, and replaced with fresh, new perspectives.

Here’s the truth: to fill your mind with something new, you first have to make space by letting go of the old. You can’t pour new water into a cup that’s already full.

Now, I feel at peace. Every day is steady, and burnout no longer has a hold on me. I’ve become someone I’m not ashamed of—someone who continues to grow through running and consistent reading. I’ve made it a habit to empty out what I’ve learned and keep making room for more, like regularly updating my mental "software."

Remember: we are always in beta mode, constantly improving. Never forget that.

And now, in 2024, I’ve reached a point where I’m running the Early Bright New York brand that you see today. In my previous posts, I’ve shared how I overcame burnout and the journey that brought me to where I am now. In the next episode, I’ll dive into how Early Bright New York was born, and what values we aim to bring to the world moving forward. Stay tuned!

Thank you for taking the time to read this long story.