Natalie
“Advocate for Yourself
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I would describe it as a snowball effect. I was working nonstop, and the workload continued to increase with no end in sight. I had just launched three international campaigns simultaneously as part of one workstream across three markets. A week before the launch, I traveled to Tokyo to shoot a fourth campaign and was forced to execute it in parallel, without any project management support. The scale of launching three campaigns while shooting a fourth and managing four different time zones was unreal. I felt like a hamster on a wheel. I didn’t sleep; I just kept running.
Typically, there is some downtime between projects, though not much. Unfortunately, unexpected creative issues following the launch required round-the-clock, cross-team resolution, which was intense and highly stressful. I was running on fumes, leading the effort while navigating the challenges of a new manager and team dynamics. Once resolved, my new manager presented me with an unrealistic work plan, making me feel like I was set up to fail. What was even more concerning was my awareness of how difficult it would be to manage. In the face of the impossible, my instinct was to “paddle like hell to keep the boat afloat!” Ultimately, my effort to meet the overwhelming expectations pushed me into overdrive and burnout.
In high-pressure situations, I get tunnel vision, unable to see the forest for the trees. I focus on executing and delivering results. I have always been able to bet on myself; I’ve been described as “a rock in a rough ocean,” someone who delivers under the toughest circumstances. However, this felt like running a never-ending marathon. I barely ate and worked 24/7 just to keep going. The stress consumed me. I didn’t realize how little I was eating; I was so frantic and focused that I often forgot to eat. My anxiety made sleep nearly impossible. In short, I was a frantic mess. Usually, I’m highly active; I enjoy being with my partner and seeing friends and family, but I retreated and became a shell of my former self. I felt depressed and highly irritable. I could never wind down or relax; I was constantly exhausted. None of it was healthy, and I knew I had to make some changes.
Advocating for yourself is important; while you may not receive the support or justice you desire, knowing that you fought back matters. I documented the events leading to the current circumstances and reported to my manager and HR. I provided background information and my current workload, along with solid evidence regarding the scale, scope, and timelines to illustrate the ongoing situation and to pursue a reasonable resolution. I was aware that HR was not on my side, but I knew I had to take proactive steps to demonstrate that I had documentation, understood my rights, and would not tolerate any disrespect. Recognizing that I was taking action brought me solace. It also helped me reframe my perspective and realize that there’s only so much I can control and perform effectively. This is not my failure; it is simply a result of being treated unfairly.
Looking back, I should have approached HR sooner to discuss the events that had transpired and the ongoing hostile work environment that followed over the past year. I could have gotten ahead of it, played the game, and taken control of the narrative earlier. Instead, I tried to be a good team player and addressed the issues directly with my manager, who ultimately couldn’t be trusted to do the right thing, and I ended up paying the price.
My Decision To Take Leave:
Human Resources took a month to conduct an internal investigation. While their findings concluded that the events did not constitute what they labeled a workplace violation, they acknowledged that it had been a challenging year. They gently reminded me of my options for leave and provided additional information. I expressed the need for a clear, reasonable, and achievable plan. After taking a day to decompress, I returned to meet with my boss to review the work plan. I thought, let’s reset and see if we can return to normalcy. In hindsight, that was a significant mistake. I should have realized that my manager was determined to see me fail. He orchestrated and exaggerated the charges because he was implicated in the recent campaign issue and intended to make me the scapegoat. The unreasonable workload was a tool to carry out his plan to push me out.
Most importantly, I should have prioritized my well-being. I was stressed and burnt out, yet desperate to keep my job. For two more months, I pushed forward, but my situation only worsened. I was meeting the plan’s requirements, but my manager consistently offered subjective criticism, told me my work was “below the bar,” and contradicted me. I tried to obtain clear objectives and KPIs (key performance indicators), but the work wasn’t solely about delivering on time or receiving positive feedback from colleagues (which I did). Much of it was open to his interpretation, which was the whole point (and his intention). Ultimately, he held all the power.
During those two months, I hadn’t been sleeping or eating, and I had lost even more weight. My relationship suffered, and things began to crumble. I found my- self asking, “How can I continue like this?” “What do I risk by trying to keep going under these overwhelming conditions?” Reflecting on these questions, I realized I had to take a leave immediately.
At first, I worried, “What will people think?” I thought, “I can’t let my team down or burden them with my work.” However, I realized that I’d been there for almost two years, and during that time, I had consistently delivered and managed complex tasks. People knew I was not someone who failed to meet expectations. Ultimately, the company will always care for itself. Everyone is replaceable, and the work will still get done. You shouldn’t be concerned about what others might think or say; their opinions are irrelevant. They know nothing about your situation.
You also can’t make good decisions when you’re in a crisis. You must decompress, be present and mindful, and work through the situation. Ensure you have a plan for your return to work, be honest with yourself about your needs, and prioritize putting yourself first. While on leave, planning how and when to return to the office is critical. From a mental health perspective, I met with my doctor and therapist to align on how many days a week I would be in the office and how many hours per week I would work. She wrote a letter to my employer outlining these terms, which my company later accepted. Knowing my employee rights had been breached, I contacted a lawyer to assess my case and discuss the next steps regarding legal action. Leaving provided me with the space to refuel and prepare for the upcoming fight. It also allowed me to regain my composure and confidence. I was not going back without protection; having a strategy and being clear about the next steps made me feel empowered and safe.
At the beginning of the chapter, you read the first part of Natalie’s story about how she became burned out and how it affected her mentally, physically, and emotionally. Here is the rest of her journey. Hopefully, after hearing her story, you will take the time to stop, reflect, and ask yourself honest questions about your own burnout and its impact on you.
Creating A Culture That Supports Mental Health:
The topic of mental health has long been considered taboo, but remember, you are not alone. Disability benefits exist for a reason—it’s not solely for physical conditions. People will respect your courage in advocating for yourself by prioritizing your well-being and mental health. Consider what matters most: your values, health, well-being, and your ability to perform at the level required by your job. If you don’t feel comfortable saying, “I am taking leave for mental health reasons,” that’s perfectly fine. It’s entirely up to you what you choose to share regarding your reason for taking this leave. People were very supportive when I returned, but honestly, they wouldn’t have cared if I didn’t return, either. No one knows what you’re experiencing. Ultimately, the only opinion that counts is yours.
Moving Forward:
Now I am establishing better boundaries both personally and professionally. I will be more self-aware and in tune with my needs and mental health. Having regained a healthy work-life balance, I will evaluate companies closely to ensure they offer a work-life balance and a culture that aligns with my values. I am also reassessing the size of an organization and the type of role I wish to pursue. My last experience taught me a lot about what I do not want and that I should take a different approach when evaluating the role, the team, and the company as a whole.
I will continue to advocate for myself and seek help when necessary. Prioritizing my mental health and well-being is essential. Staying in touch with my doctor, my therapist, and my coach will remain a priority to maintain balance and focus on the people, activities, hobbies, and work that bring me joy. I will not overwhelm myself with a job again. This experience has served as a harsh reminder that you are the only person who can take care of yourself. You alone are responsible for your happiness. My greatest responsibility is to my- self, not to my work.
Where are they now?
At the time of the interview, Natalie’s journey was still relatively fresh. She is in transition, working on her career plan and strategy while taking time to determine her next step. She has taken on some consulting projects and is networking with trusted colleagues and friends to explore companies of interest. She is mindful of enjoying this corporate break because she knows it’s much needed. Natalie stated, “Sometimes in life, you need a break, and stepping off the corporate ladder is more than okay.”
