Still Rushing on Vacation: What My Trip to Portugal Taught Me About Burnout
I recently got back from my first-ever solo international trip — ten full days in Portugal.
No deadlines. No meetings. No schedule.
And for the first time in my adult life, I had nothing I had to do.
No one to answer to. No inbox screaming for attention. No pressure to “earn” my rest.
It was just me, a carry-on bag, and the quiet intention to be fully present.
Or so I thought.
The Plane Promise
On the flight to Lisbon, I made a vow to myself:
“Chazz, this is your moment to slow down. You’re not here to achieve. You’re here to be.”
But that promise didn’t last long.
On my very first day in Lisbon, I woke up early and decided to take a run through the winding cobblestone streets. The city was still stretching itself awake. Everything felt light, calm, and beautiful.
Then I had an idea: Let’s visit Sintra today.
The train was supposed to leave at 10:00 AM.
That’s when it all started again — the rushing. The urgency. The invisible pressure to “beat the clock.”
I tossed on clothes, booked an Uber, realized I forgot my wallet, and started spiraling.
And in the middle of all that stress, I heard myself say:
“Chazz… what are you doing? You’re on vacation.”
There was no meeting. No urgent deadline. No one waiting on me.
If I missed the 10:00 train, I could catch the 10:20. And yet, my body was acting like I’d failed if I didn’t make it on time.
That’s when I realized something deeper:
My Nervous System Was Addicted to Hustle
Even without a packed calendar or goals to check off, my body was stuck in performance mode.
This wasn’t about poor time management.
This was about unprocessed pressure — years of being rewarded for rushing, praised for productivity, and wired to equate worth with output.
I had the conscious thought to slow down.
But my nervous system didn’t believe it was safe to.
And if you’re a high-achiever, I bet you know exactly what I mean.
Why So Many High Performers Can’t Truly Rest
We talk about burnout as if it only shows up when we’re grinding late nights or missing sleep. But it follows us — even to beautiful places — when we haven’t rewired the belief that rest is something we have to earn.
Here’s what I’ve learned:
The challenge isn’t just scheduling a vacation — it’s learning how to take your foot off the gas without feeling like you’re losing your edge.
That’s the deeper work.
It’s Also the Heart of What I Teach
Inside my Rise & Reclaim Blueprint™, I guide ambitious professionals through the process of breaking free from burnout — not by doing less, but by living in a way that’s truly aligned, energized, and sustainable.
Because success shouldn’t require anxiety.
And peace shouldn’t feel like a luxury.
Start Here, for Free
If this story resonated with you, I want to give you two simple ways to start your journey:
📘 Download a free chapter of my book, Success Starts Within
Discover how to begin rewriting the belief that your worth is tied to your work.
🎯 Book a free 30-minute coaching call
Let’s talk about what’s keeping you stuck in go-mode — and how to reclaim your energy, clarity, and confidence without sacrificing your success.
👇 Get both right here:
🔗 Claim your free coaching call
🔗 Download your free book chapter
You don’t need a passport stamp to feel free.
Let’s build a life that feels as good as it looks.
With you,
Chazz
Chazz Scott | Leadership & Mindset Coach | Founder, Supra Mentem Consulting
Creator of the Rise & Reclaim Blueprint™ – Helping ambitious professionals break free from burnout and build a life that feels as good as it looks.
