Prioritizing Mental Health Over Ambition: A Shift in the Modern Workplace
In today's fast-paced and prohibitively expensive world, the collective voice of workers is increasingly resonating with the idea that their mental health should take precedence over unbridled ambition. This paradigm shift is best illustrated by the personal experiences of individuals who have recognized the need to set clear boundaries and place their mental well-being at the forefront of their professional lives. These real-life stories offer a compelling view of this evolving trend.
Favian Renkel's journey in the realm of freelance soccer reporting is emblematic of this transformation. His commitment to rising to the top of his field was palpable, with early morning preparations and the constant juggling of his career alongside caring for his infant son. However, the pandemic and his relocation to San Francisco prompted Renkel to pause and reflect on the toll that his competitive drive was taking on his mental health: “I woke up one day and realized, ‘I’m here, but what did I learn along the way?’ If I take a step back, I can really prioritize myself.” In order to make space for that mental health, he had to set clear boundaries for himself about when & where he will work, the hours he will work, and the kind of reporting he will say yes to.
Ed Yong, a Pulitzer Prize-winning health and science reporter, took a six-month sabbatical after experiencing profound burnout. “My sleep took a huge hit. I was unable to feel joy in daily things. I felt very brittle… My dream is to have an equitable enough field that the most junior reporter can ask for a break and be given the same kind of support.”
Jezz Chung, a multimedia artist and writer, decided to leave a public relations job in 2020 when they realized that media companies weren't adequately equipped to support employees with disabilities. Their experience underscores the importance of intentional self-care and making time for mental health: “I was so focused on the company’s mission that I didn’t take the time out to understand what my body needed,” they said. This negatively affected their work to the point of burnout, which forced Chung–who struggles with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), to make a major lifestyle shift. “Most of my schedule revolves around my healing,” they said, “like going to acupuncture, making sure I have time in my week to take care of my physical and mental health.”
These personal accounts collectively demonstrate a growing shift towards prioritizing mental health over unbridled ambition in the modern workplace. The stories of these individuals reflect a broader societal change, emphasizing the need for a balanced and sustainable approach to work that acknowledges the profound impact of mental well-being on professional success. The messages are clear: personal well-being should not be sacrificed on the altar of career ambitions, and it is essential for both individual happiness and the long-term sustainability of industries and their workforce.
“This ‘work, work, work’ mentality we’ve been told our entire lives — that you go to work and you go home — like no, you can take care of yourself. If you’re not well, it’ll reflect in your work.” said Jacky Martiñon, a video editor at NBCUniversal. The pushback against the outdated boomer-era “pull yourself up by the bootstraps” mentality has been swift as prices of property, groceries, and other costs of living have risen exponentially and have become prohibitive to the average worker. Also the expectations of many employers that employees will practice self-abandonment for the sake of their jobs is no longer regarded as a healthy business practice.
“If your boss is overworking you and not recognizing that you need time, if you’re not being paid enough and forced to take those midnight shifts, that might not be an immutable fact about the industry. That might just mean your job is bad or your boss is bad,” Megan Greenwell, former editor in chief of Wired.com, said. Greenwell suggests leaving these jobs and applying for new ones in the case of hostile work environments that don’t respect personal time or space.
Either way, this shift does not show signs of abating soon, and employers would do well to heed the signs of this shift and recreate their visions, rather than spouting adages like “No one wants to work anymore.” Otherwise, employers may find themselves devoid of competent employees and on their way out of business as they are left behind by refusing to shift with the times.
