I burned out and quit my demanding career. It turned into an unexpected, 18-month career break that changed my life.

Alice Kim, a freelancer based in Southern California, left her investment banking career due to burnout, only to realize her perfectionism had followed her into her new hobby. This as-told-to essay recounts her 18-month career break and the lessons learned. Kim's perfectionism and perfectionist mindset drove her burnout in both her corporate career and her surfing hobby.

After working in the finance industry for six years, Kim took a PTO trip and discovered surfing, which led her to quit her job and embark on an 18-month career break. Kim tried to recover in four months of travel, but the burnout persisted, even after taking on freelance work. She realized the root cause of her burnout was her core belief system, which she is now working to challenge. Kim is now building a portfolio career that aligns with her values and allows for greater freedom.