I Quit the Job That Was Killing Me—Here’s What Happened Next

There was a time when I thought burnout was just part of the job.

I spent ten years in architectural lighting—working on beautiful spaces, picking up technical skills, and chasing creative highs. I started in Australia, where the pace was manageable and work-life balance was still a thing. Sure, there were late nights and weekend deadlines, but it didn’t feel soul-crushing.

Then I moved back home to Singapore.

That’s when the grind really began.

Late nights turned into midnights. Weekends and holidays disappeared. And when COVID hit, working from home became working all the time. The line between work and life? Gone. I was glued to my screen, chasing deadlines, slowly running on empty.

Until my body gave up.

I landed in the hospital with a weak immune system, completely burned out. And while I was lying in that hospital bed, trying to recover, my boss called me for work. Why? Because there was no one to cover for me.

That was my wake-up call. This job was literally killing me—and I was letting it happen.

Trying to Find Balance

After that, I switched to part-time, hoping things would improve. But the boundaries didn’t stick. Somehow, part-time turned into full-time again, just with half the pay and twice the guilt. I looked at my life and thought: I can’t keep doing this.

Ten years in, I was still a mid-level designer. I was exhausted, unmotivated, and could barely imagine building a future, let alone a family. Something had to change.

That’s when I started thinking seriously about trying a new industry: sustainability—a space I’d always been interested in, but never pursued. Maybe this was the moment. Maybe it was time to pivot.

A Risk I Didn’t Expect to Take

So I started applying. One job came through at a sustainability-focused NGO—but when I looked it up, it had a 1-star rating on Glassdoor. Yikes. Still, I went for the interview. And to my surprise, I got the offer.

I hesitated. I almost turned it down.

But my husband said something that stuck with me:"Just try it. Keep an open mind. It might not be as bad as you think."

So I took the leap. And it changed everything.

Starting Over (Sort Of)

Those first few months were rough. I knew nothing about the industry. I felt like a total beginner again. But I showed up every day, asked questions, and learned everything I could. I pushed myself—but in a good way this time.

Six months in, I started to get it.

A year in, I was promoted to Head of Department.

And the difference in my life? Night and day.

Now, I have real work-life balance. I meet people face-to-face, have coffee with clients, and I’m no longer chained to a screen until midnight. I actually enjoy my work—and more importantly, I feel like I’m doing something that matters.

The Best Career Decision I Never Planned

I never would’ve guessed that joining an NGO with a terrible online review would turn out to be the best move of my career. But it was.

And maybe that’s the lesson: Sometimes, you have to take the leap—especially when you’re scared, that could be where opportunity is.

If you’re stuck in a job that’s draining the life out of you, I hope this gives you a little hope.

It's okay to walk away. It’s okay to want more. You don’t have to have all the answers—you just need the courage to take the first step.

You never know where that leap might lead.