For years, I thought success meant working harder—more hours, more effort, more commitment. And for what? Burnout, frustration, and feeling stuck in my career.

I followed all the “right” advice. Hustled like crazy. Waited for recognition that never came. And after repeating the cycle one too many times, I finally stopped and asked myself:

“Why do I keep doing this to myself?”

The Career Shift That Changed Everything

I’ve worked in tech for over a decade, but before that? I was stuck in a job I hated—offshore in oil and gas. Making the switch to tech was a game-changer. I finally loved what I did!

But here’s what they don’t tell you: Loving your job doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice yourself for it. And I learned that the hard way.

I kept thinking, If I just do more, push harder, I’ll get where I want to be. But instead of success, I hit burnout. Again. And again.

So I took a step back and really looked at what was happening. Turns out, my brain has a thing for:
Seeking validation through work
Overcommitting to everything
Thriving in chaos—until I crash

Sound familiar?

Why I’m Done Overworking Myself (For Someone Else)

After my last burnout, I made a decision:

I wasn’t going to quit tech (I actually love my work). But I was done sacrificing myself for a company that could replace me in a second.

You know who can’t replace me? Me.

So, I started investing in my own success—not just my employer’s.

But Here’s the Problem…

As much as I love the idea of taking control of my future, I struggle with:
Imposter syndrome—Can I actually do this?
Overworking in new ways—Apparently, I can hustle anywhere.
Figuring out what I actually enjoy—Writing? Social media? Digital products? Who knows?!

I’ve never been a “personal brand” kind of person. But I know I have more to offer than just burning myself out for someone else’s bottom line.

And if I can make extra money while figuring it out? Even better.

What’s the Plan? No Idea.

I don’t have a five-year roadmap for this. I don’t even know if I’ll ever go full-time with digital marketing. Right now, I’m just:

Trying everything—Blogging? Social media? Digital products? Let’s go.
Not overthinking the end goal—For once.
Giving myself permission to change my mind—Because I can.

And if you’re wondering how it’s going… well, you can judge for yourself. I’m documenting it all here on Medium, and I even started reviewing digital marketing courses—because if I’m diving in, I might as well take you along for the ride.

(Will it be insightful or just me questioning my life choices? Click to find out. )

Just start.

What, exactly? Something. Anything.

Because the biggest mistake I made was waiting to feel ready. Turns out, the only way to know what works for you is to actually do the thing.

So if you’re reading this, wondering if you should take the leap—this is your sign.

Now, let’s call ourselves out. Drop a comment with ONE thing you’ve been procrastinating on for no reason.