This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Sonika Arora
Original post: https://onboardedhq.substack.com/p/facing-the-silent-crisis-of-burnout
Something we all chase early in our careers is the “dream job”. You know the one. It’s got the impressive title, the top-tier company name, and the salary that makes our parents proud.
But what if climbing the ladder too quickly just gives you a better view of how lost you really are?
I recently had the honor of talking with Samantha Loeffler, and her story is one every ambitious person in their 20s needs to hear. By age 30, Sam was a Marketing Director at a leading fortune 500 company. She was the definition of success, rapidly climbing the corporate ladder and leading key initiatives 
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On LinkedIn, she was living the dream but if you talked to her you’d hear a different story. Internally, she was falling apart. Her career was draining all her energy.
Over the past few years she learnt how to spot the early signs of burnout and, more importantly, redefined her relationship with work and focused on building a career that energizes her instead of drains her.
And that’s where we can learn some magic from her – because let’s face it, our career is not a sprint, it’s a marathon 
Recognizing the “Mask”
Sam told me about the gradual buildup of burnout that started in her mid-20s. As she took on more responsibility, she became a pro at “playing the corporate game”. She was a people-pleaser, knew how to present well to execs, and collected promotions quickly.
But this outward success hid a deep internal struggle. She was wearing a mask, and it was becoming heavier each day 
At work, whenever someone asked “How are you?”, her answer was always the corporate classic – “I’m good, how about you?”. But what no one heard or saw was that she was battling severe anxiety and the creeping feeling of losing her own identity every day. The version of her everyone saw in the office was calm, capable, and in control. But outside of work, she was deeply unhappy – her brain was unable to switch off from the constant pressure to perform.
Sound familiar…? It’s a quiet exhaustion that many of us suppress within us.
Noticing It’s Not a Personal Failure, It’s a System Failure
For years, Sam thought a new environment was the answer. She job-hopped five times, each time hoping the next role would be “the one” and get her closer to a higher title, a higher salary, and to being truly happy. She finally landed a director position at what she thought was her dream company.
Within two months, she knew she’d made a mistake after noticing the toxic company culture. The breaking point came after a particularly difficult conversation with her manager. By then she had reached her tipping point and called HR and resigned.
Her company was surprised, 
her colleagues were surprised, 
but people close to her knew exactly what’s going on. 
They had seen her “unmasked” version – the one that wasn’t pretending to be just fine.
Her story isn’t about one bad job. It’s about realizing that no external achievement can fix an internal misalignment – which ultimately leads to burnout.
So How Can We Proactively Avoid the Burnout Trap?
Sam’s journey back from burnout wasn’t about finding a better job, but about redefining her relationship with work entirely. Here are the most powerful, actionable takeaways from our conversation that you can apply right now:
1⃣ Build Your “Oh Sh*t Fund” 
The sad reality is we all have bills to pay and this can be biggest hurdle when we think about quitting a toxic job. So, this fund is a non-negotiable.
For two years leading up to her breaking point, Sam had been building what she called an “oh sh*t fund” – the financial cushion that gave her the power to walk away from a soul-crushing job without having to immediately panic about her next paycheck.
She viewed this fund as a direct investment in her mental health and future self. It’s the ultimate form of self-care.
Start building yours today, even if it’s just a small amount from each paycheck. Your future self will thank you.
2⃣ Question the “Success” Script 
After quitting, Sam took an 8-month sabbatical. During that time, she had to unpack years of conditioning. She asked herself a critical question: Are the goals I’m chasing actually my own?
Sam’s biggest fear wasn’t about finances but rather what other people would think – specifically her family, friends, and colleagues.
HQ Tip: It’s super easy to get stuck thinking what family or friends would say if you quit your job. But your life is yours to live, not theirs. When you’re ready to share your decision, focus on your well-being and your growth. Tell them, “This decision is about prioritizing my health and long-term happiness, and I’m excited about this new chapter.” If they disagree, you don’t need to justify or debate; simply reiterate that this is the best path for you right now.
For the first two weeks after resigning, she told only her husband, and took time to process the experience privately before explaining it to others. When telling her family, Sam focused on the company not being a good fit and feeling like her best wasn’t enough. Four months into her sabbatical, Sam shared her story on LinkedIn, where she was surprised to see there were so many others who had experienced the same kind of pressures and had also been burnt out after ‘wearing masks’ at work.
Sam’s advice to her younger self was powerful: “Slow down”.
She realized that rushing toward promotions often means rushing straight into burnout. Today, she’s intentionally taken a step back on the corporate ladder (from Director to Manager) because she values her peace of mind more than the title. And she’ll make the move up at the right time in her long life and career.
3⃣ Own the Break + Train Like an Athlete 
This was my favorite analogy from our chat. Sam mentioned that we should be treating ourselves like athletes.
Think about it. No professional athlete trains 24/7. They understand that rest and recovery are non-negotiable parts of peak performance. Pushing through exhaustion doesn’t make you tougher; it leads to injury.
In the corporate world, that injury is burnout. It can sideline you for months, or even years. Prioritizing rest, setting boundaries, and actually taking your PTO isn’t lazy – it’s strategic. It’s what helps you have a long, healthy, and sustainable career.
Sam listed the sabbatical on her resume with bullet points about mental health focus and activities, which was received exclusively positively during interviews. She was honest and sincere when talking about it in interviews, and it almost made her more human to every recruiter she talked to.
Sam’s story is about a powerful ongoing transformation. She’s back in a corporate role she enjoys as of now, but has identified a love for coaching and mentoring others and wants to explore that further. She’s more authentic, her work is just one part of her identity (not the whole thing), and she actively sets her boundaries. She also manages some side businesses (vending machine, teaching yoga) she started during her sabbatical!
The biggest lesson? You are in control. You don’t have to wait until you hit a breaking point to make a change.
Your well-being isn’t an obstacle to success 
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it’s the entire foundation for it 
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That’s it for today! Have you navigated a similar experience in your career? Let me know in the comments!
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I write short actionable posts on things I struggled with, which I have developed some mind maps for – how to navigate your tech job, network with people, and grow your net worth along the way, backed by tons of research, and learnings from tech leaders.
I wish you a great week!
Until next time,
Sonika
This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Sonika Arora