Burn out city

Two years ago, I was knee-deep in work. You know that feeling—stressed, overwhelmed, barely keeping it together. My neck was in constant spasm from the tension, and honestly, I was drained. Every day felt like a struggle. I was juggling a million things, trying to stay organized, but the reality? I was running on empty.

I bet you feel like I did back then, right? Stressed out, trying to do it all, but somehow always falling short. This isn’t just about being productive. It’s about changing the way we look at life and work.

You see, productivity is great and all—don’t get me wrong. It feels amazing to get things done, to cross things off the list, to achieve big goals. But when we start chasing productivity for the sake of it, that’s where things get toxic. That’s where burnout hits.

I used to think if I wasn’t hustling, I was failing. Constantly comparing myself to others, scrolling through social media, seeing people post their perfect morning routines and 5 a.m. wake-ups. There I was, laying in bed, feeling like crap. “Why aren’t I doing more?” I’d ask myself. But the truth is, we’re not robots. You’re not lazy for needing rest, and some days, you’re just not going to be super productive—and that’s okay. You don’t need to prove your worth by how much you work.

I had to learn the hard way. After pushing myself to the point of burnout, I realized that productivity culture—the hustle, the constant grind—wasn’t serving me. It was hurting me. So I shifted my mindset. I stopped looking for validation that I was “productive enough” and started focusing on what really mattered—feeling good, enjoying my work, and giving myself the rest I needed.

Sometimes, the most productive thing you can do is rest. And if you don’t give yourself that rest, life will force you to. Just like it did for me.

Now, I’m all about balance. I wake up, get some sunlight, drink a glass of water, and then I dive into my day. I break my tasks down into small, manageable pieces—easy wins that make me feel like I’m crushing it. I use tools like Notion and Toggl to keep track of my time, and I use Pomodoro sessions to stay focused when I need that extra push.

But more than that, I’ve learned to celebrate the small victories. It’s not about achieving some massive goal all at once—it’s about taking small steps every day and feeling good about each one.

So if you’re feeling overwhelmed, if you’re stuck in that endless grind, take a step back. It’s time to break free from toxic productivity. You’re a human, not a machine. You deserve to feel good, to rest, and to enjoy the journey.

This isn’t just about boosting your productivity—it’s about changing your life. Let’s make those small, consistent changes that’ll lead to a more fulfilling, balanced way of living. It’s not always easy, but trust me, it’s worth it.