Earlier this year, I found myself at a crossroads: my long-standing corporate role came to an end. It wasn’t a total shock, but the timing definitely threw me just weeks before my wife and I were set to relocate from New York to Philadelphia.
Surprisingly, what could’ve felt like a setback ended up being perfectly timed. For years, I’d toyed with the idea of launching my own marketing consultancy. The goal? Reclaim the flexibility I once had working remotely, traveling freely, and helping brands tell powerful stories. Getting laid off became the push I needed to finally make it real.
So, I did just that. (Quick plug before we move on: I now run a marketing consultancy called Exile Marketing, built to help climate-conscious companies stand out and grow through authentic, purpose-driven storytelling.)
Stepping Off the Hamster Wheel
Let’s be honest starting a business and moving homes isn’t exactly a vacation. But it did give me something I hadn’t had in years: a break from the 9-to-5 grind.
That time away from the daily rush gave me room to breathe, reflect, and ask deeper questions: What do I really want from my career? Where do I want to put down roots? How do I want my days to feel?
I stumbled upon a short story earlier this year The Answer Is No by Fredrik Backman and one line stood out:
“Sometimes what people really need most of all is a prescription for a break.”
It hit home. So much so that I literally wrote “No Friday night meetings” and “Avoid checking emails after 6 PM” into my business plan. Will I break those rules sometimes? Sure. But they’re guiding principles I’m committed to following.
The Power of Micro Breaks
It’s not just about taking a career break. Even short pauses throughout your day can have a massive impact on your focus, productivity, and sanity.
In Attention Span by Gloria Mark, the author explores how our brains aren’t wired for long, uninterrupted work sessions. Real productivity comes from balance periods of deep focus alternated with short, restorative breaks.
This is something I try to build into my daily workflow. It’s not slacking off it’s recharging the battery so the engine runs smoother.
Stress Without Recovery Is a Recipe for Burnout
Another book that changed my mindset was Spark by Dr. John Ratey. He talks about how chronic stress without proper downtime wreaks havoc on our bodies and minds.
Without regular pauses, our systems stay in overdrive. That’s when burnout sets in, and creativity flatlines. I’ve learned the hard way that recovery isn’t a luxury it’s a requirement.
Just last week, I found myself working late on this very post. I could’ve pushed through, sacrificing sleep to hit my imaginary deadline. Instead, I paused, rested, and came back with sharper focus. No regrets.
Give Yourself Permission to Pause
There are moments to hustle, absolutely. But just as importantly, there are moments to slow down on purpose. Life doesn’t always hand you time off. Sometimes, you have to claim it for yourself.
So here’s my question: Have you ever hit pause after a big transition or project? And on a smaller scale, how do you build breaks into your day?
