{
  "id": 14929436,
  "title": "I embraced girlboss culture in my 20s. It didn't take long to realize I wanted out.",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/i-embraced-girlboss-culture-in-my-20s-it-didnt-take-long-to-realize-i",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-16T10:21:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Insider",
    "slug": "business-insider",
    "url": "https://www.businessinsider.com/from-burnout-to-balance-new-take-on-rethinking-ambition-success-2026-10"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The author describes her transition from embracing hustle culture in her 20s to finding contentment with a more balanced lifestyle. Initially, she believed that hard work and financial success would bring her independence and happiness. However, she soon realized that her relentless work schedule left her with little time to enjoy the fruits of her labor. The author admits that she often worked on weekends and skipped breaks, even forgoing a 15-minute lunch to call a friend. She also struggled to maintain a healthy routine, having not worked out for months and finding it difficult to lift her duffle bag for a trip. These experiences led her to question the sustainability of her work habits and the true meaning of independence.\n\nLooking back, the author credits her early travels in Cameroon and Costa Rica for instilling in her a different perspective on work-life balance. It was during those years that she began to question the traditional markers of success, such as making a lot of money and working long hours. In 2022, after her parents' relationship ended and a period of COVID restrictions, she decided to travel while working fewer hours. This period of exploration helped her realize that she didn't need to constantly hustle towards something to feel fulfilled. Instead, she opted out of the competitive nature of the working world and focused on optimizing her own life.\n\nFive years later, the author's life has transformed significantly. She works considerably less, has a career centered around writing and researching for companies with values she admires, and has spent time living and traveling in various countries. The author emphasizes her newfound balance, which includes ample time for cooking, relationships, travel, and simply being alive. Despite not owning a car or a home, she has retained her belief in the importance of financial independence for herself and other women. However, her understanding of what independence means has evolved. She no longer feels the need to constantly prove her worth through work, and this change has brought her a sense of security and peace.",
  "summary": "When I was first starting out, I thought that burnout was just a given when you were ambitious and worked hard. Now I've learned how to find balance.",
  "key_points": [
    "Author transitioned from hustle culture to balanced lifestyle in 20s",
    "Early travels inspired perspective on work-life balance",
    "Current life includes less work, career aligned with values"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}