I Launched Bala on a Break from Burnout—Yet Faced Burnout Again. Here’s My Strategy Now

The first sign of burnout appeared when my husband and I decided to quit our jobs in advertising and traveled with no itinerary. This journey liberated me from the overwhelming, endless work cycle I had been trapped in.

Upon returning refreshed to corporate life in October 2016, we envisioned Bala only as a hobby business, crafting stylish wrist and ankle weights inspired by our journey. It grew beyond our wildest dreams, leading me to focus fully on Bala by 2019, with my husband joining a year later.

After nurturing Bala for five years, we faced the devastating task of letting our team go due to the decline in the fitness industry following the COVID-19 boom. This realization hit me with immediate burnout, but unlike before, taking a year off was no longer an option.

Advertising Career and Invisible Burnout

After graduating, I dove into the advertising world and found the industry exhilarating. However, the relentless late nights gradually led me to question the purpose behind the grueling hours.

My then-newly-dating husband suggested we quit our jobs to recover and travel—a proposal I eagerly accepted. I hadn't realized how severely burnout had affected us until that point. Months of financial planning and saving culminated in our departure in March 2016.

The Birth of Bala Bangles During Recuperation

Setting out without a definitive plan was both liberating and nerve-wracking. We lacked income and secure career paths but finally had the mental clarity to pause and be inspired.

During a yoga session in Indonesia that felt too easy, my husband, Max, envisioned weight accessories disguised as chic bracelets, sparking the idea for Bala Bangles. The trip highlighted detachment as a key recovery strategy, proving that respite from stress enables healing.

Turning a Side Project into a Full-Time Occupation

Once back, we resumed advertising roles but pursued Bala as a side project. Its unexpected growth compelled us to leave our jobs and focus entirely on Bala once we couldn't balance both.

Then came the pandemic, which initially boosted the fitness industry, but we eventually saw a downturn—leading to the heartbreaking layoff of our team.

Pregnant and overwhelmed, handling work meant for a full team seemed daunting. The pressure to meet aspirations led to an instant burnout.

Confronting Burnout with a New Perspective

Determined to safeguard my health while expecting, I learned to harness the power of self-talk. Adopting mantras like ‘I am calm, focused, and time is abundant’ helped anchor me when stress levels peaked.

While stress is unavoidable, how I address it is within my grasp—shaping my reality positively through deliberate thought.

Rebuilding the business meant committing to a long-term vision, accepting the process as a marathon. Our team is gradually being restored to its original size.

Small Adjustments That Transform Life

Collaborating with a life coach gifted me clarity on tasks aligning with energizing values versus those that drain.

Though extended travels aren't feasible now, brief escapes offer necessary breaks—from a weekend to a month—allowing rejuvenation.

Annual July retreats in Ohio provide unstructured family time, balancing some work obligations with significant relaxation.

Perpetual mantras remind me to embrace self-compassion. While burnout's cycle persists, my approach actively focuses on sustainable perseverance.