Burnout made me walk out of my job

I used to answer work emails at midnight and call it dedication. My manager called me a star and I believed it even while my sleep got worse and my chest hurt every morning before I opened my laptop.

I stopped seeing friends, stopped cooking and stopped doing anything that was not work or recovering from work. One day I sat in the car park and could not make myself open the door. I just cried and went home.

My GP said the word burnout and I burst into tears again. I felt like I had failed but really my body was doing the only thing left to protect me. I was signed off and then I handed in my notice. I am still scared about money but I am slowly building a life that is quieter and more honest. Rest is not lazy. It is the reason I am still here.