In a recent LinkedIn post, Shulin Lee shares a deeply personal and candid reflection on burnout, revealing a significant shift in her own perspective. Initially viewing burnout as an “excuse” for those unable to handle pressure, Lee recounts how a personal experience last year fundamentally changed her understanding and approach to work and rest.
Lee admits to a past pride in being a relentless worker, seeing it as a “badge of honour.” However, the reality of experiencing burnout herself prompted a re-evaluation. She describes a state she calls “low-grade burnout,” characterized by persistent fatigue, a sense of hopelessness, and functioning without truly flourishing, even while still managing to show up. As Shulin Lee notes:
I used to think burnout was an excuse. Something people said when they couldn’t handle the pressure. I wore hard work like a badge of honour. I was proud of being the person who never stopped.
Challenging Past Judgments
The experience led Lee to confront her previous judgments of others. She confesses to having judged people for being “weak” until she found herself in a similar situation. This personal journey underscores the central theme of her post: the importance of listening to one’s body and recognizing that rest is not a luxury but a necessity.
The Necessity of Rest
Shulin Lee emphasizes that constant tiredness is not a normal state of being. Her perspective has evolved to embrace the idea that bodies are not designed for perpetual motion without respite. She advocates for a more compassionate view of rest, stating that it does not need to be earned and that prioritizing sleep or protecting weekends is not indicative of laziness.
To illustrate this point, Lee references a spiritual principle: “Even God rested on the seventh day. And He didn’t need to.” She also includes a powerful quote from the Bible, highlighting a message of solace for those struggling:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28
According to Shulin Lee, the body’s signals of fatigue are protective mechanisms that should be heeded rather than ignored or pushed through.
Moving Forward: Seeking Support
Beyond advocating for self-awareness and rest, Lee shares what helped her in her recovery. While initially trying to push through her exhaustion, she eventually sought professional help. She reveals that seeing a clinical psychologist was instrumental in her comeback, comparing the experience favorably to that of a high-performance coach.
Shulin Lee encourages her network to repost her message if they believe a “workaholic needs this,” aiming to destigmatize conversations around burnout and mental well-being in the professional sphere. She concludes by asking her audience what strategies have helped them recover from burnout, fostering a community dialogue around this critical issue.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Shulin Lee on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on July 14, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →