Before CSR, I thought burnout was just part of the job.
Late nights. Endless meetings. Constant screen time. Hustle until you make it—or break.
Then came the blur.
That sudden distortion in the center of my vision. That terrifying first flare.
And the even more terrifying realization:
My body had been trying to tell me something for years.
CSR wasn’t just a medical event—it was a career intervention.
Here’s how it changed the way I work, permanently.
1. I Stopped Measuring Success by Urgency
I used to equate urgency with importance.
If it felt stressful, it must be worthwhile.
If I was exhausted, I must be working hard enough.
If I was “behind,” I must be on the edge of a breakthrough.
CSR taught me that urgency is often a symptom of poor boundaries, not success.
Now I ask:
“Is this actually urgent, or just loud?”
“Does this deadline serve my health, or sabotage it?”
I work slower. But I make clearer decisions.
And I don’t confuse pressure with purpose anymore.
2. I Restructured My Day for My Nervous System, Not My Calendar
I used to build my schedule around productivity blocks, stacked back-to-back. No breaks. Just output.
Now? I build around recovery points.
- Focused work in the morning
- A midday reset (walk, food, breathwork)
- Creative tasks in the afternoon
- No meetings or mental sprints past 5 PM
I don’t just manage time anymore—I manage my capacity.
3. I Set Boundaries With Technology—and People
CSR forced me to draw lines where I never had before.
- No phone in bed
- No checking email past 7 PM
- No saying yes just to avoid discomfort
- No back-to-back Zoom marathons
It also meant setting boundaries with clients, coworkers, and even myself.
The world didn’t end when I pushed a deadline.
No one stopped working with me because I prioritized my health.
In fact, my work got better.
4. I Built Recovery Into the Job
CSR helped me realize that work and wellness aren’t separate.
They coexist—or they collapse.
Now I:
- Walk between tasks
- Use noise-canceling headphones and lighting that doesn’t fatigue my eyes
- Pause during spikes in stress to recalibrate—before they turn into flares
This isn’t weakness. It’s efficiency through sustainability.
5. I Redefined “Career Growth”
CSR didn’t end my career. It evolved it.
Growth now looks like:
- Clear vision (literally and metaphorically)
- Sustainable energy
- Fewer regrets at the end of each day
- Building systems that support people—not just output
Bottom Line:
CSR didn’t just alter my eyesight—it shifted my insight.
It forced me to stop sacrificing my body at the altar of ambition.
And in doing so, I became better at the work I do, not worse.
Sometimes, a flare is a flare.
And sometimes, it’s a wake-up call from the life you’re living too fast to notice.
