Burnout to Balance Part 1
This is the story of Alita, a stunning 25-year-old woman living in the bustling city of Lagos, Nigeria. She works as a Personal Secretary and Executive Assistant at a multinational banking corporation. This is a dream job she has always wanted, but one that comes with a heavy price.
Her day begins at 3 a.m., not because she wants to, but because she must. Alita checks her emails, responds to messages, fixes appointments, and organizes her boss, Mr. Aliu’s schedule. By 5 a.m., she is rushing out of her apartment to catch an early bus, braving Lagos’ infamous traffic.
At 7 a.m., she arrives at work, where her desk is already piled with voicemails, reports, and meeting schedules waiting for her attention. With barely any time to eat, she proofreads documents, drafts proposals, and ensures that every task for the day runs smoothly. Her heels are her constant companions, carrying her across the office as she works tirelessly to meet deadlines and demands.
Alita loves her job. As a Business Administration graduate, she is proud of her role. The handsome pay is everything she dreamed of, but the toll on her mind and body is enormous. Every evening, she leaves the office drained, the stress heavy on her shoulders. Her dedication is unwavering, but her mental health is cracking.
Despite all her sacrifices and dedication to her work, Mr. Aliu, who is not the CEO but her direct boss, decides to make her life a living hell for no apparent reason. Alita is so keen on keeping her job that she does everything he wants, even tasks that are not in her job description. As a result, she loses focus, becomes less fun to be around, and experiences constant mood swings, snapping at the slightest mistakes from her colleagues and junior workers. It is beginning to take a toll on her; life is gradually losing its sweetness.
Is the pursuit of success worth this level of sacrifice? Should Alita seek help for her mental health struggles and find ways to stabilize her work life?
Stay tuned for Part 2!
*Featured Image by Ag Ku from Pixabay
