It's okay to take a break.

After I finished filming and editing this video, I realized I wanted to add a bit more color and context to this video. Firstly I want to acknowledge that I'm really fortunate to have a job that affords me the opportunity to take breaks, and that I benefit from my own privilege and a supportive family that have helped me to do what I do. I know that a lot of people are in positions that don't afford them this luxury, and my intention is not to promote folks to take breaks even if it damages their livelihoods. There is still a lot of work and labor involved to Do Life especially in our current society, which disproportionately affects people from underrepresented backgrounds. My understanding is that it's harder than ever to gain that emotional, mental, financial, and physical flexibility to live life the way you want to.

My intention with this video, therefore, is to have an open dialogue around taking breaks, hustling, and challenging the notion that the only way to success/happiness is to prescribe to the all-consuming lifestyle of only working and going past your limits, all the time. I choose to introspect publicly on topics like this in hopes that there are others that relate to this idea who can share with me their thoughts, and also because doing so is a core part of my creative process as a content creator. Of course, hustling and working hard is absolutely a valid way to live your life if that's what you want. In fact, I think it's still necessary at various points throughout your life, whatever the reason might be for why. But I just wish there were more perspectives, nuances, and options to how to live life than what I've been taught especially from the tech industry, which is why I made this video.

💖 m o r e m a y u k o 💖

🛠m y g e a r 🛠 (affiliate)

🌱r e s o u r c e s🌱

🎧m u s i c 🎧

🌸a b o u t 🌸
Mayuko Inoue is a content creator and Software Engineer. After working in Silicon Valley tech companies like Intuit, Patreon, and Netflix for six years as an iOS Engineer, she became a full-time creator in 2020. Her work aims to help people find their way through the tech industry by sharing her own experiences navigating this world through technology, career advice, and lifestyle videos. She is passionate about discussions around mental health, cultural identity, and creating technology with empathy and compassion.

✉️c o n t a c t ✉️

This video was sponsored by Brilliant.

[consumer]

I literally quit my FT salaried job two weeks ago and I feel so free. I just feel like I need a long break to recharge and figure out what the rest of my life should look like. I saved up some money to last the next couple of months without having to work, but it feels great to go against the grain to focus on yourself.

[Omnigear]

I find it very relaxing to hear Mayuko talk about how to improve herself.

[MOZYN]

I 100% agree with this. I used to feel bad for taking breaks and playing video games or watching movies or having fun because in the back of my mind I think of the more productive things that I COULD be doing with my limited time. That mentality was so unsustainable and damaging. I’m glad I’ve moved away from it and have been prioritizing breaks and meditation. Just be careful not to get stuck in the “break phase”! That’s something I still struggle with at times. 😂

[jdrew]

As someone that deals with high expectations of themselves and struggles with sustainable workflow, these videos are super relatable and helpful!

[NorthGameStudio]

I agree with everything you said in this video, especially at around three minutes, it is so important to put your life into perspective and focus on yourself and take a breather to avoid burnout. But things take a completely different turn when you have kids. I have three kids, I love my kids, but when you’re working a full-time job in tech, and youre also trying to be a content creator, and you have so many different little projects and things to attend for your kids, it can be so stressful and so time consuming. It is so important to learn to be OK with yourself taking a break, I wish I would have learned that before having kids. I too was in the hustle mentality, and it has made it so much harder to adjust after having kids. Perspective. Important. Thanks for sharing, big fan of the community and channel.

[vladinstein]

It's weird, I noticed I was becoming more and more stressed, even the smallest things started to get me out of balance. and then someone did a presentation about meditation in my school and then I saw this video. seems like this world is pushing me in the right direction.
I did take a brake this summer and promised myself to never get sucked in by all this hustle and stuff, but it's difficult, cause it happens so gradually and we don't notice at first and then boom! you're rushing at a supersonic speed again (not sure in what direction)!
Okay. Time for another brake. Hope everyone is well! Thanks for the video!

[katharinamaerbacher]

Thank you so much Mayuko!
I literally needed this after a very stressful semester so far. Seeing someone as productive as you are promoting taking breaks really makes me accept and enjoy taking breaks, without feeling guilty that I should use the time to be productive again.

[Andrew-utwi]

Oh man it’s so hard to break out of that hustle mindset sometimes and so easy to forget that just being is enough

[michelleandthemachine]

I really needed this message today. Thank you for sharing this permission to take breaks to rest and recharge.

[KleanMe]

I am currently teaching myself UX development, everyday, 5-10 hours a day for the past month. Along with being a full time video editor, I work a lot from my computer. I had a panic attack because today I just didn’t feel like doing it. I was beating myself up for not continuing the grind. Thank you for your video. It’s helping me realize that I need days to myself and help my brain cool off. You rock!

[Californiansurfer]

I start my day at 3am which I work from 4am to 12:30 and 3 hrs overtime helping others before I go home. I am burning out… I think it the weather, I don’t know. I think its the rain. I remember working in Shepardvill kentucky and for three month no sun… Never do that again.. Downey California

[Ziggity]

Can definitely relate. I work as software developer 4 days a week while taking 3 university computer science courses. After a while my body and mind were signaling me to slow down. With time you learn to listen. Shaved off two courses so I could focus more on my health.

Thank you for bringing up these topics

[xthaone]

I worked in healthcare since the start of pandemic and quit last year in the Summer. Taking a 6 month career break has helped me appreciate life more by slowing down, visit family often, and enjoy the things I used to love again.

[DemetriPanici]

*“When you recover or discover something that nourishes your soul and brings joy, care enough about yourself to make room for it in your life.” - Jean Shinoda Bolen*

[AparnaJain]

Such a good video, Mayuko! I’ve been struggling with this since I left the Silicon Valley. I have two children that I want to spend time with and nurture but this habit of wanting to be productive makes me feel like I’m wasting time. It’s a terrible feeling either way. I started YouTube as a way to “do something and make an impact” and it really feels like a good time to take a break for my mental health. So many signs coming my way, and this video was another one, so thank you!
Btw, Your storytelling skills in this video shine so much. Well done!

[adityabhargava]

Found your channel recently and... let me be straight after a busy workday, the best thing to do is watch one of your videos. Keep up the great work.

[ch]

Thank you for this, Mayuko. This is a much-needed advice for everyone especially during the Covid/ post-Covid period when a lot of companies are sacking people to "re-structure" the distribution of resources. As much as I don't like the idea of seeing our contribution to an organization as plain resources (without taking into the consideration that we can add cultural values and insights into our work), I must also admit that it's the fear of losing the job or, if you have just landed a new position, the fear that it's hard to find a new position in the current job market due to economic instability that push us to sometimes overwork ourselves even though we are well-aware of our capacity to take up certain amount of projects and tasks.

It's not easy to internalize that mindset, as you have said, without feeling a sense of self-doubt. But we are learning together :) Thank you so much for bringing up this topic at this time 💛

[mcdawgzy]

I quit my job in August and currently burning through my savings but 100% I cannot recommend it enough! My mental health has improved significantly and I no longer hate my life every single morning. Focusong on myself has been the best thing for me so far!

[erbu]

I agree it’s very relaxing to discover and recover yourself after a long long journey of job in past few years.

[flyy]

Love this video and had to watch a few times to help me process my stress. Thank you!