I Took My Life Back: What One Week of Freedom Taught Me After Career Burnout

One week later, I've never felt more free

It has been a week since I left my position in Higher Education Administration. And it has been nothing but reinvigorating, rejuvenating, and rewarding. Now, this path is not for the faint of heart (more to come), but I firmly believe that anyone looking for a stimulating, less boring, and more freedom in their life can do it, and most of all, you would never know until you do it. It is the fear that "but what if...." that is in the way of your path to discovery and happiness.

The thing is, I was taught and instilled with the mindset of martyrdom. Like you have to suffer in order to rise, you have to work the hardest in order to succeed, and nothing comes free. Though this is mostly true in life for many successful individuals, it is not the only way that others make it. So when I hit 40, I wondered, I have suffered so much inequity at work, and I have tried the hardest for all of my life - why isn't it my time yet? That was when I realized that I had tried hard for the last twenty-something years of my life, so why not try something different? Why can't something come easily? So when the opportunity to apply for the Voluntary Separation Incentives Plan at my job, I took it.

I know what you are thinking: you think that might be the easy way out of something boring and future-less, quite the contrary. I loved my job, and if I stayed, maybe five years longer, I would potentially become a Vice President or something (I am ambitious, as you can see.) A small part of me was thinking "you are giving up," "you are being impulsive" - but I quickly reframed it to "you are taking charge."

It was the perfect storm - the only thing is that I enjoy a stormy day (both realistically and metaphorically), and nothing really stops me from taking on a challenge. A real challenge, like a challenge to my resilience and my capability, not the kind to challenge you to stay when you have gone through a stream of narcissistic environments and an unfulfilling job.

So what does it feel like after a week of being a maverick (someone who is independent and unconventional, someone who goes against the grain)? It is like nothing you can imagine, no matter how many vacations you take after a long work year and how many therapy sessions you cry through. Just yesterday, I had this moment of true bliss while sitting on a lawn chair listening to some live music with my close friends - true bliss. I don't think money can buy that.

So this brings us back to the topic: I took my life back. I felt stuck. To be honest, I had a good routine, I never worked overtime, and when I came home, I did not have to think about work - that was a dream come true, right?! But as my capabilities outgrew my responsibilities, my worth outperformed my pay, and my brain is no longer stimulated for eight hours of my day, I wondered, what is the point? Am I living? No. Because I was not fulfilled in the majority of my day, I came home ragged and had no motivation to proceed with any of my passion projects or anything fun. When I noticed that I would rather watch TV than doing the things I love, I knew a part of me was not satisfied with the life I was leading. So I decided to take my life back. I said, Yu-Shan, for all of your life, you made your own choices, you have shown courage to take a leap - so, now it is the time to take that leap again; instead of waiting for someone to come and change the situation, change it yourself!

This is me, feeling refreshed and free <3

So that's when I realized what I win-win situation the separation is, I get to pursue my passions not as side projects anymore, but as my main focus in life; and I have the resources to do just that (the incentives the company provided when you leave voluntarily). I am leaving my job and finally pushing my business and all of my ideas through. Leading up to the last day of my full-time job, all I thought about was the projects I was going to do for myself to "make it" after the last day of my full-time job, make money, make a name for myself, and make a difference. I have structured my first two weeks of freedom with many valuable tasks, meaningful projects (which I proudly accomplished, of course), self-care, and self-improvement routines that kept me very productive and busy all day. At no point did I feel like I was run down, even if I was staring at the computer all day, and at no point did I regret this decision.

So what have I learned from taking my life back? Here are some pointers if you are at the crossroads right now:

✅ Do’s and Benefits:

• Do trust your gut when something feels misaligned—even if the job looks good on paper.→ Because fulfillment is louder than stability once you experience it

• Do structure your freedom—give your time purpose, but leave room for joy.→ Because productivity feels so much better when it's aligned with passion and your core values

• Do expect transformation, not just rest.→ Because it’s not just about escaping burnout—it’s about reclaiming yourself.

• Do operate from courage, not what-ifs.→ Because we are strong enough to figure it out and there is never just one way of doing things

  
  

❌ Don’ts and Trade-Offs:

• Don’t wait for someone else to fix it.→ Because no one knows what you need more than you do—and no one is coming.

• Don’t expect instant clarity.→ Because confusion is part of recalibration. But it’s a better confusion than burnout.

• Don’t assume this path is easy.→ Because there’s risk—but also limitless possibility. I lost my potential future to be at the top—but gained my freedom.

If you are waiting for permission to change your life, this is it. You don't need to wait for a breakdown to experience a breakthrough. Time to choose yourself first.