Why I Knew I Was Done with the London Lifestyle
It’s funny how you can work so hard for something, only to realise that the very thing you were striving for is making you miserable. For years, I chased success in London. Long days at the office, endless deadlines, the pressure to perform, and the need to always be on the go. I thought that’s what I needed to succeed. And in many ways, it worked. I earned more money than I had ever dreamed of, but at what cost?
The Price of Success
I worked 11-hour days, 6 days a week. I watched my friendships shrink, my energy evaporate, and my health deteriorate. It’s a strange thing when you feel like you’re doing everything right but are somehow doing everything wrong. The more money I earned, the fewer meaningful relationships I had. My circle of friends grew smaller, and the energy I had for life seemed to fade away.
Physically, it was as though my body had aged 10 years in a fraction of the time. I gained 15kg, my skin looked tired, and my health was no longer something I could take for granted. Despite all of this, I still kept pushing forward, convincing myself that the hustle was worth it. But deep down, I knew something had to change.
The Turning Point: A Fitness Retreat in Thailand
I finally hit a breaking point. It wasn’t a sudden realisation; it had been building for a while. But it took stepping away to see the bigger picture. I signed up for a fitness retreat in Thailand, thinking I just needed to "reset" physically. What I didn’t know was that I was about to reset my entire life.
The retreat was the wake-up call I didn’t even know I needed. After 3 weeks of focused fitness, mindfulness, and a completely different pace of life, I knew I was done with the London lifestyle. I had time to think, breathe, and reflect on everything I had been prioritising. The clarity that came from those weeks away was the key to understanding how far removed I had become from who I truly was.
I learned that success doesn't have to come at the expense of everything else—especially not your health, happiness, or relationships. I realised that the pursuit of external achievements shouldn’t come at the cost of your internal peace.
A New Chapter
That retreat changed everything. When I returned, I had a renewed sense of purpose. I realised that success is not just about how much money you make or how busy you are. True success is about living a balanced, fulfilled life, and that includes taking care of your body, nurturing meaningful relationships, and finding joy in the everyday moments.
Today, I live a different life—one where I’ve learned to slow down and prioritise what truly matters. The hustle of London was no longer my path to fulfilment, and I’ve found a new rhythm that feels aligned with who I am.
Sometimes, it takes hitting rock bottom to realise that you need to make a change. But the beauty of that realisation is that it opens the door to something far more fulfilling. And for me, that door opened in Thailand.
The Next Step: Embracing a New Way of Life
When I returned from Thailand, I knew I had to make a change. I put in for my sabbatical, packed my bags, and moved myself back to Thailand with my New Year bonus in hand. I was determined to make the shift towards a lifestyle that supported my well-being, not just my career. I landed my first remote job, and although it didn’t work out as I had hoped, I was committed to keeping up this anti-burnout lifestyle.
That was in October 2023, and now, 18 months later, I’m still here in Thailand, figuring out how I can keep making this work. Have I burnt myself out since then? No, I haven’t! Have I had incredible life experiences, met amazing people, lost 17kg, and adopted a healthier lifestyle? Absolutely yes! It hasn’t been easy, and I’m still learning, but every day feels like a step closer to living the life I truly want. It’s not perfect, but it’s mine—and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
