This as-told-to essay is based on an interview with Agustin Alturria, a 37-year-old millennial in Rosario, Argentina, who quit his job as a project manager after realizing he was burned out. Now Alturria is learning to set boundaries in his new job overseeing strategy at a tech-recruiting company. The interview has been slightly edited for length and clarity.
I started working this way when I was younger and was given a lot of opportunities because I was always there. But now that I'm older, I've noticed the toll it took on me: I was exhausted and suffered from extreme stress and panic attacks. I start each morning by walking to my office. It's about 15 minutes away, and the commute has beautiful scenery through the downtown area. I grab coffee before arriving at the office. First, I check my emails, which I never open before the workday, like I used to.
I still eat lunch while working. But then I take a half hour of free time to leave the office, walk through the downtown shopping area or by the river — and disconnect.