In a recent LinkedIn post, Shulin Lee shares a candid reflection on the sacrifices many make in their careers, questioning the conventional definition of success when it comes at the expense of well-being. Lee, who has over 15 years of experience in recruiting, draws on extensive conversations with professionals to highlight a widespread phenomenon: the “Sunday scaries” and the profound impact demanding jobs can have on mental and physical health.
The post opens with a personal anecdote that resonates with many who have experienced job-related anxiety:
“I used to take pills to sleep on Sunday nights. My chest would tighten around 7pm. By 9pm I’d be rehearsing conversations that hadn’t happened yet. By midnight I was staring at the ceiling, dreading a job that was slowly breaking me.”
Lee posits that this level of distress, often normalized within high-pressure corporate environments, is far from acceptable. “I thought this was normal. It’s not,” Lee asserts, challenging the widespread acceptance of such work-related suffering.
The Paradox of High Salaries and Misery
A central theme in Lee’s post is the counterintuitive observation that individuals in high-paying, prestigious roles are often the most unhappy. Lee contrasts the pursuit of lucrative careers with the reality of personal peace and health, suggesting a fundamental misalignment in what society often equates with success.
According to Shulin Lee:
“The people with the big salaries and fancy titles? Often the most miserable. I’ve seen it over and over.”
Lee further elaborates on this point, highlighting that genuine contentment is frequently found by those who prioritize well-being over financial gain. “The ones who actually sleep well? They took less money for more peace. They chose roles where they felt safe, respected, and human,” Lee writes, advocating for a reevaluation of career priorities.
Redefining Career Success
The core message from Shulin Lee is a powerful call to action for individuals to reclaim their lives from jobs that are detrimental to their health. Lee argues that the long-term consequences of sacrificing sleep and peace of mind are too high a price to pay for any professional achievement.
Lee emphasizes this point with a series of stark statements:
“If your job is stealing your sleep, it’s stealing your life. No salary is worth your peace. No title is worth your health. No promotion is worth losing yourself.”
The post concludes with a broader perspective on life’s finite nature, urging readers to avoid spending the majority of their time dreading work. Lee’s insights encourage a shift in perspective, prompting introspection on whether current career paths align with a fulfilling life rather than just a financially rewarding one.
Shulin Lee’s candid sharing serves as a vital reminder from the recruiting industry’s front lines about the critical importance of mental and physical health in the workplace, challenging the traditional metrics of career success.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Shulin Lee on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on July 11, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →