Burn outs

What I Learned From Watching Someone Burn Out

Let me tell you a little story about a former officemate of mine—let’s call him Mark. He was that guy in the office who always seemed to have everything under control. First one in, last one out. Always willing to help. Never said no. Super dependable, the kind of employee every company wants.

At first, we all thought, “Wow, this guy’s on fire!” But looking back now, it was more like he was burning out.

Mark worked late almost every night. While the rest of us were logging off, grabbing dinner, or watching Netflix, he was still there—glued to his desk. He skipped breaks, ignored weekends, and even brought his laptop on vacation. He’d say things like, “Just need to finish a few things” or “I’ll rest after this project.” But the “few things” never ended, and the projects just kept coming.

After a while, he started to change. He looked tired all the time. Snappy. Quiet. Not his usual self. Then one random Friday, he submitted his resignation. No drama. No complaints. Just… done.

I was shocked. But honestly? I wasn’t surprised.

That was the moment it really hit me: burnout doesn’t always come with warning signs. Sometimes, it builds up slowly, until one day, you just can’t take it anymore.

Mark’s story stuck with me. It made me realize how easy it is to fall into that trap of thinking we always have to say yes, always go the extra mile, always be “on.” But here’s the thing—we’re not machines. We’re people. And people need rest.

If there’s one thing I learned from Mark’s experience, it’s this: you have to manage your time before your time manages you. It’s not about being lazy or slacking off—it’s about being smart. Setting boundaries. Listening to your body. Knowing when to pause.

You don’t need to work yourself sick just to prove your worth. Because let’s face it—if you suddenly left tomorrow, the company would find someone else. That’s the harsh reality. We’re all replaceable at work, but we’re not replaceable in our lives.

So now, I take my breaks seriously. I turn off my work notifications after hours. I protect my weekends. I’ve learned that saying “no” doesn’t make you difficult—it makes you healthy.

To anyone reading this who feels like they’re heading down the same path as Mark—please, check in with yourself. Take that day off. Set those boundaries. Don’t wait for burnout to make the decision for you.

Because your mental health isn’t just important—it’s everything. Take care guys!