Ambition can be a beautiful thing until it burns you out.
We’re told to hustle, push harder and chase our dreams. And for many of us, especially Black professionals and first-gen founders, ambition isn’t just a choice. It feels like a constant state of survival, knowing that you have a lot riding on this working. But what happens when the thing that fuels you also starts to deplete you?
For a long time, that pressure became my fuel. My ambition gave me focus during setbacks and clarity when doors were closing. It reminded me that there’s purpose in the process even when things didn’t go to plan. But if I’m honest, there were seasons when that same ambition pushed me to the edge.
There were times I said yes when I should’ve said no. Times I was showing up for others and leaving nothing for myself. Times I hit a wall mentally and emotionally but still pushed through because I felt I had to. Because slowing down felt like failure. Because “rest” didn’t feel like something I’d earned yet.
For Mental Health Awareness Week, I want to be honest about what it’s taken to get here and why I now build with more care.
I No Longer Feel The Pressure to Always Be On
We live in a world that praises visibility. We’re told to post consistently, stay relevant, pitch ourselves and keep building. And if you work in a space like PR or personal branding, it can feel like being “on” is part of the job description.
In the early days of building my platform, I bought into that belief. I showed up online even when I was running on fumes. I’d post because I felt I had to, not because I had something to say. On the outside, it looked like momentum. But behind the scenes, it was late nights, imposter syndrome and a constant loop of second-guessing.
Now, I no longer wear burnout as a badge of honour. I focus on creating sustainable habits that allow me to grow without overstretching. Visibility isn’t valuable if it costs you your peace. I’ve learned that the work I do behind the scenes, like the rest, the reflection and the recovery matters just as much as the content I put out.
I’ve Given Myself Permission to Slow Down
For a long time, I tied my worth to how much I was doing. I felt guilty taking breaks, like I had something to prove to clients, peers and even to myself. I believed that slowing down would make me look less ambitious and less dedicated.
But eventually, the pressure caught up with me. I wasn’t creating from a place of clarity, I was just keeping up appearances. It felt like I was always in motion, but not always moving forward.
Now, I remind myself often that there is no fixed timeline for success. You’re allowed to take breaks, and you’re allowed to step back.
Slowing down isn’t failure, it’s strategy. It’s the decision to protect your energy so you can show up fully when it really counts.
Some seasons are for visibility and putting yourself out there. Others are for rest, reflection, or rebuilding. And all of them are valid. The most powerful brands that last aren’t built in a rush. They’re built with intention, and that includes making space to breathe and reconsider when necessary.
Boundaries are Incredibly Important
Fortunately, this has always been a strong point of mine and it’s one of the biggest reasons I’ve been able to protect my wellbeing through the ups and downs.
I’ve learned that mental health isn’t just about how you feel emotionally; it’s about what you allow into your space. For me, setting boundaries has been essential. Whether that’s being selective about the people I give my time to, the number of things I can commit to at one time or just making it known when I’m not available because I’ve blocked out personal time.
If I could give one piece of advice, it’s this: don’t wait for burnout to start setting boundaries. Protect your peace early. Saying “no” doesn’t make you difficult. Taking time away doesn’t make you unreliable. It makes you human and it gives you the room to feel like yourself, not just someone reacting to demands.
I’ve Redefined What Success Looks Like for Me
I spent years chasing what I thought success was supposed to look like, climbing the corporate ladder, collecting job titles and trying to hit every milestone that looked good on paper.
But the more I achieved, the more I started to question who I was doing it for. I looked successful on paper, but I didn’t feel it. I was constantly busy yet rarely fulfilled. Present in the room, but not fully connected to the work or to myself.
Now, success for me isn’t about status. It’s about alignment. It’s about waking up and feeling at ease with how I move through the world. It’s also about knowing I can live a life where I help the people I want to help and earn enough to take care of myself and my family.
Anything after that is a bonus.
Moving Forward
You don’t have to choose between ambition and mental health. You can hold space for both. You can be driven and still protect your peace. You can want more for your future without neglecting what you need in the present.
Growth doesn’t have to come at the cost of your well-being.
This Mental Health Awareness Week, I hope you remember that it’s not just about what you achieve, it’s about how you feel as you’re achieving it. Take time for yourself and appreciate the journey so you can truly cherish the destination once you get there.
See you next week!
