A Workaholic's Unwanted Lesson in Rest During COVID-19

Between passion and burnout, COVID-19 forced me to rest, reminding me of the need for balance in work and life.

For as long as I can remember, I've been someone who thrives on work. I genuinely enjoy working day and night, finding fulfillment in every project, task, and challenge that comes my way. Branding and marketing aren't just jobs to me—they're my passion. The thrill of crafting a story, building a brand, and connecting with people drives me every day.

Lately, my focus has been on an exciting new startup we're about to launch in Silicon Valley. With projects spanning both Europe and the United States, my schedule has been intense, filled with meetings, strategy sessions, and late-night brainstorms. It's been a whirlwind, but one I’ve embraced with enthusiasm, knowing we're on the verge of something truly special.

However, for the past few months, I've heard the same advice from those around me: "You need to rest." And as much as I understood their concerns, rest wasn't something I felt I needed—until now. For the past five days, I've been resting, but not by choice. Today, I tested positive for COVID-19.

Was I more susceptible because of my relentless work pace? Did my constant hustle and long hours make me more vulnerable? Perhaps I'll never know. What I do know is that I don’t enjoy this forced rest. I wish I could recover quickly and get back to creating content and driving my projects forward. I've been a content creator for as long as I can remember—writing stories at 12 or 13, blogging in my teens. Learning something new or experiencing something significant and not sharing it leaves me unsatisfied. That's one of the reasons I started this blog in the first place.

Maybe there’s a lesson in all of this. Maybe, sometimes, we just need to rest. Even as I write this, I can feel the weight of COVID-19—my eyes are heavy, my head is pounding, my neck and back ache, and my fever persists. Yet, I couldn’t help but tell myself, "Said, you've been resting for days; it's time to write something."

There's a delicate balance here, one that I've struggled to maintain. Being a workaholic isn't the answer. We must find time for our families, the most precious part of our lives. And time for ourselves—equally important. Writing for my blog and creating content for my YouTube channel doesn't feel like work to me; it's more of a hobby, something I deeply enjoy. As long as my health allows, I’ll continue sharing my thoughts and experiences. This week, it seems all my meetings will be canceled, but I find myself eagerly anticipating the moment I feel well enough to dive back into my projects. The brands, companies, partners, startups, and speaking engagements are all waiting for us.

Yes, entrepreneurs often work 24/7, but is that sustainable? Probably not. Sleep, especially good quality nighttime sleep, is invaluable. It's something I realize even more when I'm unwell. Rest is not just necessary; it’s vital to our well-being, and we need to carve out time for it, even when we are at the peak of our productivity.

Let’s see how things unfold once I’m back on my feet. There’s a mountain of work awaiting me, no doubt about that, but I’m also determined to carve out more time for myself and my family—especially on weekends. It’s non-negotiable.