From Burnout to Brilliance

Looking back at my life in Toronto before moving to the UAE, I see a woman caught in the eye of a relentless storm—a whirlwind of demands, expectations, and exhaustion that blurred the lines between survival and self-destruction. My days were a grind: balancing a high-pressure career, motherhood, and cultural norms that seemed impossible to meet. As a controller for a leading mining company, I spent over 40 hours a week navigating intense deadlines and endless meetings. Mornings were spent packed on trains, stealing moments of rest before plunging into the chaos of the day.

By 4:53 p.m., I’d sprint to catch the train, desperate to reach the 6:00pm daycare closure.  Too often, I missed that train. On those days, my parents—my unwavering lifeline—stepped in. Evenings were no less demanding: dinner, baths, homework, bedtime stories, and then hours more work on my laptop. Weekends disappeared into a blur of chores and obligations, leaving no time to breathe, let alone recharge.

Despite the relentless exhaustion, stepping away from my career wasn’t an option. My work wasn’t just a job; it was the lifeline to my independence, the anchor of my identity, and a purpose that kept me going. While others paused their careers after motherhood, I stood firm—defying expectations with every step forward. Yet, whispers followed me everywhere, especially at the mosque: “I hope your girls turn out okay since you work.” “I pray for your daughters the most.”

Those words could have broken me, but instead, they ignited my resolve. They fuelled my determination to raise daughters who would embody strength, resilience, and values far beyond the weight of judgment. But even strength has its limits.

For years, I pushed through the unbearable weight of work, home, and parenting, often alone while my ex-spouse’s constant travels left me with every responsibility. I ignored every warning sign—until one night, my limits caught up with me. I collapsed in the bathroom, shattering a garbage can as I hit the floor. The next morning, my 7-year-old daughter found me still on the bathroom floor, that moment—raw, terrifying, and humbling—shattered any illusion of invincibility.

The emergency room visit was a reckoning. As doctors ran tests and planned my recovery, the mirror reflecting my burnout became impossible to ignore. Yet life, in its irony, had more lessons to teach. The very next day, my ex-spouse left to go skiing with our daughters, leaving me alone to “rest.”

In that solitude, clarity found me. I realized my daughters didn’t need a mother who sacrificed herself to do it all. They needed a mother who was present, healthy, and whole. One that was a good role model.  That realization wasn’t just a wake-up call—it was a call to courage.

The courage to redefine success. The courage to embrace imperfection. The courage to prioritize love, presence, and balance over relentless achievement. With that courage, I made a bold decision: I stepped away from my career for an entire year to fully embrace motherhood. That season gifted me with profound peace, deep connection, and immeasurable joy—but it also came with judgment.

The whispers this time were, “What a waste of your education.” But instead of breaking me, the criticism set me free. I realized that no matter which path I chose, someone would disapprove. And in that realization, I discovered a powerful truth: freedom lies in living unapologetically on my own terms, unshaken by the opinions of others.

I learned it’s not the quantity of time with my children that matters most—it’s the quality. From that moment on, I refused to let cultural expectations dictate my choices or weaken my resolve. I chose to live boldly, authentically, and wholeheartedly, embracing the life I was building—not for approval, but for purpose, love, and the legacy I wished to leave.

Eventually, financial strain forced my hand—I had to return to work. Sustaining a family on a single income wasn’t viable, and I stood at a crossroads: cling to the familiar or take a daring leap into the unknown. I chose the leap, trading the comforts of Toronto for the uncharted sands of Abu Dhabi.

The transition was nothing short of a crucible. The oppressive June heat bore down on me, the guilt of uprooting my children weighed heavily on my heart, and the daunting task of rebuilding our lives in a foreign culture on my own tested me at every turn. Yet, with each trial, I unearthed reservoirs of resilience and strength I never knew I had.

Navigating life in the UAE meant breaking barriers. From sponsoring my children’s visas—a rarity for women at the time—to submitting permission to drive from my ex-spouse, I faced systems not built for women like me. But I refused to let those barriers define me.

I forged a thriving career in a foreign land, rising as a female finance leader in a field that demands nothing less than excellence. At the same time, I navigated the immense responsibility of raising four children primarily on my own, as my ex-spouse's work often kept him in Qatar or Saudi. Amidst these challenges, I cultivated meaningful friendships, built a steadfast support system, and discovered the power of focusing on what truly matters. I reclaimed balance by prioritizing my children, safeguarding my health, and anchoring my life in unshakable values—proof that resilience and purpose can turn any storm into strength.

Burnout, however, is a silent thief, robbing countless women of their energy, joy, and identity—especially those who carry the dual demands of family and professional life. It’s easy to fall into the trap of believing that invincibility is a virtue, wearing it like a badge of honour. Yet striving to do it all without pause is far from heroic—it’s a relentless path to exhaustion. Society perpetuates the myth that we can seamlessly juggle everything without breaking, but the cost of chasing this illusion is devastating. Recognizing this truth is not a sign of weakness; it is the first step toward reclaiming our power and living authentically.

Recognizing burnout is not merely an act of self-awareness; it is a radical act of self-preservation. The tasks, the endless checklists, and the empowerment of doing it all can be intoxicating, yet they mask the deeper truth: we cannot pour from an empty cup. Breaking free from this cycle requires courage—courage to pause, to seek help, and to admit that we’re human, not machines.

Putting yourself first is not selfish—it’s survival. The wisdom of the airline rule—to secure your own oxygen mask before helping others—isn’t just a metaphor; it’s a life-altering truth. We can only pour into others when we are full ourselves. By prioritizing our health and well-being, we gain the strength to be truly present for the people we love and the work we are passionate about.

When work becomes an addiction, it doesn’t just consume our time—it erodes our very essence, leaving us drained and disconnected from what matters most. Learning to slow down isn’t easy, but it’s a lesson in reclaiming our power. Slowing down isn’t giving up—it’s stepping up to a life of purpose, balance, and sustainable success.

Today, I unapologetically embrace rest as an act of power and resilience. I listen to my body, honour its signals, and grant myself grace without guilt. Rest is not selfish or indulgent; it is the fuel for strength, creativity, and the boundless love that touches every corner of life. By pausing, I am reclaiming my strength—and in doing so, I am becoming unstoppable.

When you see a woman who seems to have it all together—juggling countless responsibilities with a smile—pause. Don’t call her a superhero, don’t add to the weight she’s already carrying. Instead, ask her if she’s truly okay. Recognize the strength it takes to keep going, but also the silent cost it may carry.

Encourage her to extend herself the same grace she so freely gives to others. Remind her that slowing down isn’t weakness—it’s wisdom. Sometimes, the most empowering thing we can do for each other is to say, “You don’t have to do it all.”

Looking back on the past decade in the UAE, I am filled with an overwhelming sense of pride and gratitude. This land didn’t just become my home—it became the stage for my transformation. Here, I found the courage to reshape and redefine my life in ways I never imagined.  In this land I conquered cancer, reached new heights in my career, welcomed my son into this world, and reclaimed the strength to live unapologetically on my own terms. I unearthed my voice as a writer, breathing life into a passion I had once buried beneath the weight of responsibilities.

Today, I stand as a woman not defined by the challenges I’ve faced but fortified and ignited by them. The UAE didn’t just teach me lessons—it showed me that the impossible is merely a dream waiting for the fearless to bring it to life.

To anyone shackled by workaholism and burnout: stop, breathe deeply, and reclaim the power of your story. The world doesn’t thrive on your exhaustion—it thrives on your brilliance. Rise with unshakable courage, unleash your potential, and claim the extraordinary life you deserve. Refuse to settle for mediocrity when greatness is your destiny. The future is owned by those who dare to dream without limits, transform adversity into strength, and rise from every setback with relentless purpose. Together, we will break barriers, ignite revolutions of change, and soar higher than we ever dared to imagine. This isn’t just my journey; it’s ours—from burnout to brilliance.

Burnout to Brilliance

"When burnout shakes you, pause, turn the page, and trust that the next chapter will bring brilliance, resilience, and an entirely new purpose.”  – Faiza Chaudhary