I was born and raised in Romania, a Southeastern European country that experienced years of communist rule until the revolution in December 1989. At the time, I was only six years old, yet I still remember the fear and uncertainty vividly—like sleeping on the apartment floor because it was safer.
As Romania emerged from communism and began embracing Western culture, many things changed. I grew up straddling the line between old-school traditional values and a growing focus on self-development and well-being. Today, Romania is known for its technical expertise, with many global technology and automotive companies establishing a presence here. In fact, Romanian is the second most spoken language at Microsoft.
With all this economic and technical progress, however, came a concept that was unfamiliar to people like me who grew up in a high-stress environment: mental health. The notion that stress could be a major factor in someone’s death was something I had never imagined before. Yet today, stress is widely recognized as one of the leading causes of health issues such as anxiety, depression, chronic pain, fatigue, and even life-threatening illnesses like cancer.
Work-Related Stress is a Killer
In fact, work-related stress is directly linked to around 120,000 deaths every year. This is an alarming statistic, and it hits close to home for me. Over the past few months, I’ve experienced more stress than I ever thought possible. Despite how polished or successful my life might appear on social media or LinkedIn, the reality behind the scenes has often been far more difficult. At night, when I try to rest, my mind races to process the day’s events, and it takes real effort to calm down.
But it’s not just about me. I’m also the mother of a 15-year-old, a stage in life when my child needs my support more than ever. If I want to be strong for my family, I have to be strong for myself first—and that starts with setting boundaries. Learning to say “no” without guilt is crucial for my mental health and well-being. Every time I say “yes” to something I don’t fully believe in, I’m saying “no” to myself, my energy, and my peace of mind.
The Cost of Ignoring Mental Health
The reason I’m sharing this now is that, over the past two weeks, I’ve read about two tragic deaths related to stress. One individual committed suicide, while the other died from a heart attack during work hours. Both worked for well-known companies, and these stories made me reflect deeply on how we manage our lives and careers.
I realized that stress is more than just feeling overwhelmed—it’s a silent killer. If left unchecked, it can slowly erode our physical and emotional well-being. We push ourselves to meet deadlines, to be the best, to keep up with others, but at what cost? For many of us, the price we pay is too high.
It’s Time to Reassess Our Priorities
I’ve come to understand that we must listen to our bodies and minds. We need to redefine our priorities, count our blessings, and learn from our experiences. We must allow ourselves time to stop, rest, and recover without regret. Only then can we truly reconnect with ourselves and with the people who matter most to us.
If you feel tired, overwhelmed, or like you’re running on empty, you’re not alone. I’ve been there too, and it’s a tough place to be. But the good news is that there’s always a way forward. If you need someone to talk to about your mental health or work-related stress, I am offering five slots of one-hour sessions this October. Reach out to me by message or email, and let’s connect.
Conclusion: Mental Health is Non-Negotiable
Our careers, no matter how rewarding, should never come at the expense of our mental health. No job, position, or paycheck is worth sacrificing your well-being. In a world that often glorifies hustle and hard work, we must learn to prioritize rest and emotional care. After all, the most valuable investment you can make is in yourself.
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