From Burnout to Break: How an Unplanned Hiatus Transformed My Life

WHO:

Yahoo - Alice Kim is a freelancer from Southern California who previously worked in investment banking and private equity.

WHAT:

Yahoo - Alice Kim experienced burnout over a six-year period in her career.

Yahoo - Kim took an 18-month career break after quitting her job.

Yahoo - During her career break, Kim initially planned four months of travel but extended it due to ongoing feelings of burnout.

Yahoo - Kim engaged in freelance work about six months into her career break, which led to renewed feelings of burnout.

Yahoo - Kim is currently doing strategic finance freelance work while building her social media platforms.

WHERE:

Yahoo - Kim is based in Southern California and traveled to various locations for surfing during her career break.

WHEN:

Yahoo - Kim's career break lasted for 18 months.

Yahoo - At the beginning of 2025, Kim decided to move away from returning to a corporate job unless absolutely necessary.

WHY:

Yahoo - Kim identified that her burnout was not solely due to her job but was also influenced by her mindset.

Yahoo - Kim's decision to leave her job was influenced by a growing desire to escape her "finance bubble" and pursue surfing.

Yahoo - Kim realized that her perfectionism and need for productivity contributed to her burnout.

HOW:

Yahoo - Kim discovered surfing during a last-minute trip using PTO, which inspired her to travel more frequently.

Yahoo - Kim is working odd hours to overlap with US business hours in her freelance work.

(UPDATED August 10, 2026 16:17 UTC)

Alice Kim, a freelancer from Southern California with a background in investment banking and private equity, took an 18-month career break after experiencing burnout over six years in her previous job. Initially planning just four months of travel, she extended her break due to ongoing feelings of burnout, and now engages in strategic finance freelance work while building her social media platforms. Kim has identified that her burnout stemmed not only from her job but also from her mindset, leading her to escape her "finance bubble" and pursue her newfound passion for surfing.