2 out of 12

I burnt myself out, February.

Took on a full-time job despite already having hoarded a huge load of freelance work. Worked after workhours, on the weekends, heck, even during the holidays. Do I get an award?

I started out with a full plate, yet I took on more projects for “good measure” [probably to distract myself from facing my personal issues tbh] failing to realize this would mean half-assing everything for the sake of a submission. I barely even had the time to breathe.

My realization? I suck at saying “no”.

When opportunities present themselves, the default thing I’d do is welcome them with open arms. I guess this only applies when you’re just starting out and trying to build your ground. I now recognize that at this point in my career, tho grateful, I should be more keen on selection and curation. I seriously need to get the hang of that work-life balance. Like, seriously.

Thing is, I don’t enjoy rejection. Too often, I beat myself up and put myself on a guilt-trip for being too nice or too naïve that people would assume I’m interested (you know?). And then comes the part where I have to explain I was genuinely just being nice, and turn them down. It’s not cool. But it’s an entirely different context that I shouldn’t apply to work. Work. Is. Different.

It’s ok to say “no”. It’s ok to set aside some me-time and not feel guilty about it. A job is only well-done when I do it out of intention and passion, not out of complacency. These are my takeaways.

Going into another month with steadier and more sensible work management (hopefully!).