How I wasted 5 days of my life

...to burnout

Author

Mustapha Mushi
December 17, 2023

Hey friends,

Something unusual happened to me this December and I want to share it with you – a time when I squandered a good chunk of my life (well, 5 days to be exact).

One weekend, I woke up feeling off. I didn't feel like doing anything. No excitement for work, no energy for my usual hustle and not even the usual stroll for a recharge– just a genuine "meh" vibe.

Instead of embracing the chill and taking it as an opportunity to enjoy a few days of Netflix, takeout, and easy reading, I convinced myself to be "productive." I've got a project on the horizon, and this business isn't going to run itself, right?

So, there I was, wrapped in a blanket, sipping tea, doing some half-hearted work, and falling down a rabbit hole of random video essays. This odd routine stuck around for a solid 5 days until Wednesday rolled in, and just like that, I was back to my usual self.

But here's the kicker: had I applied the Reitoff Principle from the get-go –you know by acknowledging unproductive days and taking a break to engage in guilt-free leisure rather than forcing productivity– I likely would've bounced back in a mere 2 days, and those days would have been infinitely more enjoyable.

Moral of the story: give yourself a break on days when you know you won’t be productive; we all have those days.

Lesson learned: If I'd cut myself some slack and applied the Reitoff Principle sooner, those 5 days might have been a lot more enjoyable.

Here's to a laid-back yet productive week!

— Mustapha Mushi

 

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