Alice Kim's journey from burnout to a transformed life is a powerful reminder that sometimes the best career move is to step away. After six years in investment banking and private equity, she was exhausted, irritable, and felt a constant sense of dread. Despite achieving her dream role with better work-life balance, she knew something had to change. So, she quit, thinking a few months off would suffice. Instead, she embarked on an 18-month career break that changed everything.
The Burnout Spiral
Kim's burnout was a slow accumulation of 80-hour weeks, chronic stress, and a perfectionist mindset. She functioned on five hours of sleep, relied on caffeine, and struggled to maintain healthy habits. Her burnout manifested as a feeling of being stuck in cement, unable to find motivation. For someone who identified as a hard worker, losing that drive felt like losing herself.
A Surfing Epiphany
A random PTO trip led Kim to discover surfing, and she fell in love. It opened her eyes to a world beyond her finance bubble and sparked a desire to travel. When she stumbled upon a surf trip to a bucket-list location, she took it as a sign and resigned. She booked the trip and planned her exit.
The Hard Lesson: Time Doesn't Heal Burnout
Kim initially planned a four-month break, but as her travels began, she realized it wasn't enough. Six months in, she took on freelance work and immediately felt burned out again. She realized that her core belief system—that her worth was tied to productivity—was the root cause. Even surfing became a source of burnout as she applied the same perfectionist standards to it.
Redefining Self-Worth
Kim is now deconstructing the belief that her worth comes from work. She's learning to find value outside of productivity, though it's a gradual process. She's grateful for her corporate experience, which provided financial stability, but she's now building a portfolio career that aligns with her values and allows for freedom. She's doing strategic finance freelance work and building her social media presence, working odd hours to overlap with US business hours.
Kim's story is a testament to the importance of addressing the underlying mindset that drives burnout, not just the external circumstances. It's a journey of self-discovery and a reminder that true fulfillment often requires a radical shift in perspective.
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