In today’s hustle culture, especially in bustling cities like Lagos, Nairobi, New York, and even London, burnout isn’t always loud. It doesn’t always come with a dramatic breakdown. Sometimes, it creeps in quietly—through late nights, ignored headaches, missed meals, and that one email you answer at 2 a.m. because “you just want to get ahead.” 

This week on BraveHumans, we follow the story of Uyi—a 32-year-old brand executive living in Lagos—whose dream promotion slowly turned into a personal wake-up call. A story about overcommitment, collapsing boundaries, and the guilt we carry when we try to choose ourselves.

This article is indicative of burnout in Nigeria’s hustle culture, where relentless ambition often masks the toll it takes on well-being—especially among young professionals.

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I used to think burnout was for people who couldn’t handle pressure. Turns out, pressure doesn’t ask for permission. It just builds… until it breaks you.

I’m Uyi. I’m 32, and I work as a strategist in a popular marketing agency in Lagos. 

If there ever were to be a competition for workaholics in Nigeria,  I’d definitely win it. 

For years, I was that guy. First to arrive at the office, last to leave. The one who always replies to emails at midnight, who double-checks the slides before the pitch, who volunteers for the “extra” project no one else wants just to prove myself. 

I didn’t mind because I loved my job.

So when I finally got promoted to Senior Brand Strategist early last year, it was my “What God cannot do, does not exist” moment. I was super excited.

But almost immediately, the celebration faded—and the reality of the new role dawned on me.

Suddenly, I wasn’t just leading campaigns. I was managing multiple teams and clients, attending high-level strategy meetings, and somehow still expected to handle my old responsibilities “because no one does it like you, Uyi.”

So I said yes. Every time. Every task. Every weekend request. Every “quick” call after work hours.

At first, I thought it was normal. Promotions come with pressure, and with the nature of my job, it was expected.

Then weeks turned into months, months into a year, and I kept running on fumes. 

I lost my weekends. I stopped doing anything fun. I stopped going to the gym. I stopped hanging out with friends. I stopped sleeping properly. I even started snapping at my girlfriend for things that didn’t matter.

My body sent me warnings—racing heart, constant fatigue, and migraines. I ignored them.

Then one day I fell sick. 

The doctor said my blood pressure was too high for someone my age and I suffered severe dehydration. I kept having constant headaches and fatigue and at some point, I couldn’t lift myself off the bed or even try to open my eyes in the sun. It was the worst illness I had experienced all my life. 

I was out of the office for three weeks, and to my surprise (which shouldn’t really be when I think about it in hindsight), workflow still went on smoothly. The agency didn’t break down because Uyi was absent.

This made me come to a new realization and it was like my life had started afresh. This was Uyi 2.0! 

I didn’t quit. I didn’t stage a dramatic exit. I simply made a mental decision to adopt a slower pace than I was used to. I started turning off notifications after 8 pm, delegating responsibilities, hanging out with family and friends, and even taking weekends off. 

As expected, my team stepped up. My thinking got sharper. I made fewer mistakes. And I started feeling like myself again.

Burnout made me realize I don’t have to earn rest. I’m allowed to just need it.

Don’t get me wrong. I still struggle with boundaries. Sometimes I feel guilty for logging off on time or ignoring that late-night email.

But the truth is rest is not a reward. It’s a right. It’s a necessity. It’s a form of self-respect.

If you’re reading this and you feel like you’re drowning in expectations, just know this—you’re not weak. You’re human. And being human means needing rest. Needing care. Needing you.

Burnout is not proof of ambition. It’s a warning. Listen to it.And if you’re building your future—financially, professionally, personally—remember: there’s no wealth without wellness. What’s the point of success if you’re too exhausted or sick to enjoy it?

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This story is part of our BraveHuman series, where our investors share their bravest moments to inspire others. We never use real names or identifying details.

Have a story to share? Email us at [email protected]—your journey could inspire the next person. 💙

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