From Burnout to Balance: My Journey from NYC Hustle to a Life of Self-Care

In today’s world, being "always on" is often mistaken for diligence. Achieving a healthy work-life balance can feel impossible, especially as a small business owner or designer. For years, I believed that success came from working harder—especially during my time in New York City. It wasn’t until I experienced burnout firsthand that I realized success doesn’t have to come at the cost of my well-being. Finding balance between work and life became essential not only for my survival, but for thriving in both my personal and professional life.

The NYC Grind: Hustling Hard, Until It Was Too Much

When I lived in New York, I was completely immersed in the idea that hard work was the only path to success. I poured everything into my career, believing that long hours and relentless dedication were the keys to making it in the city. I thrived on New York's energy—the constant activity and the sense that if I just pushed myself a little harder, success was always within reach.

But over time, I started to feel the cracks.The constant pressure, the lack of downtime, and the inability to switch off from work led to exhaustion. In my 20s, I didn’t recognize these signs for what they were; I thought that pushing through exhaustion was just part of the process. But burnout has a way of sneaking up on you. One day, you wake up completely drained, with no motivation left. That’s what happened to me.

A Life-Changing Trip to Europe

Two major turning points shifted my perspective. The first was a trip to Europe. My long-term boyfriend is from the Czech Republic, and two years ago, I spent Christmas with his family in Prague. That trip opened up my perspective. The difference in lifestyle was startling. People worked fewer hours, yet their quality of life seemed so much better. There was an emphasis on family, relaxation, and simply enjoying life. It was a stark contrast to the constant grind I had become accustomed to in New York.

Even after returning to New York, I couldn’t stop thinking about that trip. It planted a seed in my mind—Was it possible to be successful without always working and sacrificing my personal time? The more I reflected, the more I realized that my priorities were shifting. I no longer wanted to give everything to my career. My family, both in Japan and in Europe, became my focus. Life is only once. Life is short, and I realized I wanted happiness and fulfillment outside of my career.

Listening to My Intuition: The Courage to Change

I’ve always had the courage to listen to my intuition. That’s what brought me to New York in the first place, chasing my dream of becoming a designer. After my trip to Prague, my intuition spoke again—it was time for a change. I decided to move out from Japan. I could work remotely for NYC corp it was still the end of covid season. Soon after, burnout hit me in full force. No amount of short breaks or vacations could shake the overwhelming feeling of being creatively drained. My body and mind were telling me I needed to make a shift. This period of burnout forced me to reevaluate everything: my work habits, my goals, and how I wanted to live moving forward.

Setting Boundaries: The Key to Thriving

The most important lesson I learned from this experience was the power of setting boundaries—not just with work, but in my lifestyle as a whole. One of the biggest changes I made was moving out of New York City and splitting my time between Prague and rural Japan. Surrounded by nature, I no longer felt the pressure to always be busy or social. In New York, I used to feel guilty if I didn’t have plans every day or if I wanted to stay in and focus on myself. Now, I’ve embraced my introverted nature and realized that it’s perfectly okay to prioritize what truly makes me happy—whether that’s spending time on my hobbies, developing my brand, or simply enjoying a slower pace of life.

These boundary-setting decisions allowed me to focus on my well-being. Living in Prague and rural Japan, I’ve embraced a lifestyle that gives me the freedom to work at my own pace. I’ve established specific work hours for my projects and made sure to reserve time for myself, whether it’s exploring nature, nurturing my creativity, or spending quality time with loved ones. I became more productive, creative, and, most importantly, happier. When i had a courage to let go of the hectic NYC corporative work, and had enough time to take care of myself and my wellbeing with my family, things i wanna do at last in my carrer became clearer, which was establishing my brand that can influence posting things to people the awareness of the importance of well-being and self-care. Setting boundaries didn’t just protect me from burnout—it helped me focus on what I really wanna do or who i really want to prioritize in my life.

Letting go of the constant pressure to be "on" in the hectic NYC corporate world gave me the clarity to focus on what really matters.

The Lesson Burnout Taught Me

Burnout taught me one of the most valuable lessons of my life: success doesn’t come from endless work. It comes from balance. Setting boundaries isn’t just about avoiding burnout—it’s about making space for the things that truly matter. By prioritizing my well-being, I found that I could be more present in both my personal and professional life.

If you’re struggling to find balance, know that it’s okay to slow down. It’s okay to put yourself first. In fact, it’s essential. Today, I’m happier than I’ve ever been, not just because I’ve achieved career success, but because I’ve built a life where my happiness, my family, and my well-being come first.