I didn’t set out
to start a rebellion.
I just needed to
Slow down.

But somewhere between burnout and becoming, I realized: doing less — choosing rest — was the most radical thing I could do. Especially in a world that constantly demands more.
This isn’t just a story about losing a job. It’s a story about finding my way back to myself.

A Wake-Up Call in My Thirties

My early thirties hit hard. Burnout cracked open the life I thought I was supposed to want. And instead of rushing to rebuild, I made a different choice: to rebuild with intention.

I’ve had enough of the girlboss grind — the 75-day challenges, the six-week sprints, the constant striving. It’s not that I’m anti-growth. I’m just pro-alignment.

This season isn’t about “getting back on track.” It’s about finally building a track that actually feels like mine.

How It All Unfolded

1. Caregiving Changed Everything

In November 2024, my mom was diagnosed with stage 2B lung cancer. Overnight, I became her primary caregiver. Between hospital visits, surgeries, and chemo, everything else became background noise — including my career.

I believed I could do it all because I thought I had to. Family was my value, and work was my responsibility. How could I choose between the two?

But reality hit hard. My work slipped. I heard the words: 'We're sympathetic, but your performance isn't where it used to be.

I was quietly burning out for a life that no longer felt right.

2. Laid Off — And Liberated

On the same day my mom got her first cancer-free scan, I got laid off.

Two life-altering pieces of news in one day. And yet… I smiled.

Not because it didn’t hurt — but because some part of me knew this was a soul-level intervention. This wasn’t a punishment. It was permission.

Permission to stop surviving. Permission to rebuild on my terms.

3. Remembering My Inner Rebel

Somewhere along the way, I traded in spontaneity for security. I forgot about the girl who moved to the UK without a plan. The one who traveled Europe on a shoestring and said yes to adventure before she felt “ready.”

She didn’t wait for permission. She followed her gut.

This layoff was a reminder: that girl is still here. And she’s ready to lead again.

What I’m Learning: A Life of Tiny Rebellions

You don’t have to hustle your way into a meaningful life.

Sometimes, the most powerful change begins with something small. A tiny rebellion — a soft, deliberate choice to live differently.

What do my tiny rebellions look like?

Drinking my morning coffee slowly, without checking my phone
Resting without guilt
Trusting my own timing, not someone else’s timeline
Measuring success in joy, not metrics

In those tiny rebellious moments, I found my four guiding words for this chapter of life.

The Four Words Guiding Me Now

Present
I want to feel my life again — not just live it on autopilot. That means savoring my coffee, watering the garden, being with people I love, and not rushing to the next thing.

Freedom
Not just freedom from work. Freedom to trust myself. To explore. To rebuild, even if I don’t know what it looks like yet.

Authenticity
My life doesn’t need to make sense on paper. It just has to feel right to me.

Creativity
I’m creating again — not for a paycheck, but for joy. For play. For healing.

An Invitation

This blog is my little corner of the internet — part journal, part sanctuary — where I’ll share reflections, cozy rituals, and the real, messy process of building a life that feels like home.

If you’re in a season of change — whether it's burnout, a breakup, or just the quiet ache of wanting something different — I hope this space becomes a soft landing for you, too.

Because slow is still progress.
Rest is still resistance.
And tiny rebellions? They can change everything.

What’s your tiny rebellion this week?
Tell me in the comments — or just hold it close. Either way, I’m cheering you on.

Tiny Rebellions: Rebuilding Life After Burnout