I used to think my burnout was solely my employer’s fault.

From Burnout to Emotional Freedom: How to recognize and release toxic productivity.

This photo was taken in Sri Lanka, enjoying the sunshine at the beach - one of my favourite places to heal, be present and feel free.

I experienced corporate burnout, not once, but twice!

Both corporate roles ending in total mental and emotional exhaustion. I resented the deadlines, the pressure, the constant urgency. I blamed the company culture, the lack of support, and the impossible expectations.

And for a while, that made sense. I needed something to point to, and the job was the obvious culprit.

But then something unexpected happened. When I left those roles and created space for healing—stripped everything back to the basics—I still felt burnt out.

That was my wake-up call.

In the quiet, I started asking better questions:

• Why did this pattern repeat itself?

• Why did I still feel exhausted, even when I wasn’t working?

• What was driving this relentless pressure to do more—even when no one was asking me to?

I knew I wanted to become an entrepreneur and I needed to figure this out once and for all to allow me to thrive in my business.

That curiosity led me to invest in a burnout coaching program and do some serious inner work. What I discovered was both confronting and freeing: It wasn’t just the job. It was me, too.

I uncovered a deep wiring for people-pleasing, perfectionism, control, and an inability to delegate. I thought these traits were my superpowers—what made me successful. And maybe they were, at times. But left unchecked, they also fed into something far more dangerous:

Toxic productivity.

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7 Signs You Might Be Caught in Toxic Productivity

Recognizing toxic productivity takes self-awareness and honesty. Here are some signs to look out for:

1. You Feel Guilty When You’re Not Working

If you struggle to enjoy rest or feel like you need to earn your downtime, you might be caught in a cycle of guilt-driven work.

2. Your Self-Worth is Tied to Output

Do you measure your success by how many tasks you checked off rather than how you feel? A “slow” day shouldn't define your value.

3. Your To-Do List Never Ends

Even after a productive day, do you feel like it wasn’t enough? That chronic pressure often points to unrealistic expectations—and a lack of prioritization.

4. You Struggle to Be Present

If work thoughts dominate even during vacations or time with loved ones, your mind may be stuck in overdrive.

5. You Sacrifice Sleep, Food, or Health for Productivity

Pushing through exhaustion may feel noble, but it’s a fast track to burnout. Your body is not a machine—it’s your partner in creating a fulfilling life.

6. You Can’t Say No

Taking on too much? Always being available? These are often signs of deeper people- pleasing patterns masquerading as “hard work.”

7. You're on the Edge of Burnout

If you feel drained no matter how much you do—it’s time to pause and reassess. You are not a failure. You’re human.

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What Helped Me Heal (and How You Can Start)

Once I understood what was underneath the surface, everything changed.

I realized I could keep my ambition, drive, and high standards—but I needed boundaries to protect my energy.

I redefined productivity to include rest, reflection, and presence. I created rituals that helped me get more done in less time—without the pressure to always be "on."

And most importantly, I now choose to live with intention—not urgency.

Here’s where I started:

• Reframing my mindset: Rest is not a weakness—it’s a tool. Productivity doesn’t define my worth.

• Setting clear boundaries: My workday has an end time. My weekends are sacred. I respond when I’m ready, not out of obligation.

• Redefining success: I celebrate maintenance phases, strategy days, and seasons of slow just as much as big wins.

There are still times I lean into my perfectionism—but now I do it intentionally, not compulsively. There’s space for growth and space for gratitude, so you can feel like yourself again.

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Ready to Shift Out of Toxic Productivity?

If you’ve read this far and found yourself nodding along, know this: You’re not alone—and there’s another way.

Whether you're thinking of starting a side hustle or new business, already running a business, or living that expat life trying to balance it all, I’m here to help you find a rhythm that supports both your ambition and your wellbeing.

• If you’d like support setting boundaries, managing your energy, and finding joy in your work again, reach out let’s talk about what’s next—for your mind, your goals, and your freedom.

You don’t need to burn out to feel accomplished.

You can be successful and well.

You can build a life that doesn’t require you to constantly prove your worth.

Healing toxic productivity isn't the final goal. It's the first step toward reclaiming freedom, self trust, and a life built from intentional choices - not inherited expectations.

Let’s create that vision—together.

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Your Coach,  

Nicola Lake

Lifestyle Coach

Freedom to live on your terms.