Today is #WorldMentalHealthDay, and I would like to take this opportunity to share a personal story. This day is an opportunity for all of us to raise awareness of mental health issues and reduce the social stigma it can still have.
One morning, I woke up with a tight chest – but shrugged it off. I opened my work inbox on my phone – the tightness worsened. I entered the office of my startup – I felt like I couldn’t breathe anymore.
In 2019, I suffered from a #burnout. I had spent the previous 4 years trying to build two tech companies at the same time (what could go wrong?) and had been working 60-100 hour weeks for four years. And slowly, but surely, I ran into an inevitable brick wall.
Since that spring day, everything changed. I set boundaries, I prioritised my non-work life, and I learnt a lot about mental health at work. Today, I consider my burnout one of the greatest gift I ever received. Life has and will never be the same again.
Unlike what people often think, I rarely work more than 35h/week. I try to spend as much time outdoors as I do in front of a screen. I ruthlessly prioritise my wellbeing above work. My productivity has never been greater and – crucially – I feel good and have not suffered from anxiety in several years.
Today, on World Mental Health Day, I want to call out toxic work environments and practices. Excessive work is not cool, nor necessary, nor productive. Moreover, your value is not based on your productivity. I encourage you to talk, whether to a friend, partner, a professional, or a supportive colleague (a gamechanger for me). You are not alone.
Comentarios