The Void of Being at the Top
For most of us, walking away from fame and fortune seems illogical. Many ask, why leave everything behind when you finally get the chance to have it all? Most successful people who reach the top have worked very hard to achieve their goals, and in the process, they experience significant burnout and exhaustion.
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During the conversation, Dr Tugnait explains, “Sometimes that pinnacle of success is not what they imagined. It does not give that great rush of happiness many thought they would experience, leaving them a little empty and forlorn. At this point, with no other goal yet, a pause is a natural step.”
Adding to this, Mr S Giriprasad says that the process of reaching the highest point results in the maximum psychological burden for individuals. “The speed of success needs to be controlled because it brings multiple new demands, which include increased expectations, greater public exposure, reduced personal space, and continuous work requirements.”
Many high achievers realise that the version of success they chased required constant self-sacrifice. The need to maintain progress at the highest level becomes an exhausting task that exceeds the difficulty of reaching the summit itself.
Burnout Vs. Creative Boredom
While many opt for a sabbatical, a long break, others choose permanent retirement, away from public scrutiny and expectations. This raises questions about whether this is temporary fatigue or a permanent loss of passion.
According to Dr Tugnait, usually, these breaks are the result of physical and mental exhaustion rather than a genuine loss of interest, which can feel like boredom. “It is rarely about permanently losing interest because, once a major goal is achieved, there is space for another. As soon as the emotional fatigue is over, and they are clear-headed and realigned, the creative spark comes back,” she says.
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Mr Giriprasad shares a similar view, “In most cases, it’s a combination of both, but burnout is usually the starting point. Chronic physical exhaustion, poor sleep, constant travel, and irregular meals gradually drain mental energy. Over time, this fatigue dulls creativity. What is often labelled as ‘creative burnout’ is actually nervous system exhaustion.” When the brain remains in high-alert mode for years, curiosity and joy naturally shut down as a form of self-protection.
The Social Media Surveillance
In 2026, being a celebrity means being always online with little to no private life. Dr Tugnait notes that social media has removed the distance that once existed between artists and their audiences. “Earlier, there was a buffer period between a work’s release and public criticism. Today, that preparation window is gone. The immediate and often overwhelming negative reviews can be emotionally devastating, leading to severe breakdowns and sapping all one’s energy.”
Mr Giriprasad elaborates that the process of hyper-surveillance results in people developing anxiety and self-doubt. Individuals find themselves overwhelmed by continuous neutral or positive attention received without interruption. “This mental stress, defending professional work while facing ongoing public judgment and evaluation, serves as a common precursor to mental health crises,” he adds.
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Initial Warning Signs of Developing Burnout
Success often masks suffering. Even those who look as though they are living a dream lifestyle on the outside may be experiencing internal turmoil. Dr Tugnait and Mr Giriprasad suggest looking out for these subtle signs:
- Constantly feeling exhausted despite physical rest.
- Always working and feeling guilty for taking breaks.
- Feeling as if there is no meaning to your work.
- Physical symptoms with no clear medical cause.
- Sleep deprivation with low patience and irritability.
- Emotional numbness and a loss of excitement about work and achievements.
- Social withdrawal or avoiding public appearances.
Blur Self Identity
One of the hardest tasks for a celebrity is remembering who they are when they are not working or when they are offline. Mr Giriprasad suggests that one needs to make deliberate efforts to separate one’s personal identity from one’s professional achievements. “This requires establishing personal connections and social bonds which do not depend on your professional accomplishments. When people stop measuring their value through public recognition, they find it easier to take breaks because they feel secure during rest periods,” he explains.
Dr Tugnait also emphasises that it is very important to maintain a clear boundary between your personal identity and professional fame. “When they are tied together, negative reviews can make you question your very identity. Boundaries are the cornerstone for mental health and for experiencing one’s own success,” she notes.
Does a Break Actually Help With Creativity
Dr Tugnait clearly gives this a positive nod, saying, “Yes, taking a break makes a person more productive and successful because it allows you to clear your mind of the residue of past work. A break resets priorities and enhances capabilities that were shut down due to exhaustion. Once that break is over, a person can be more creative and disciplined.”
“The body requires time away from work to restore its nervous system functions. People who return from their time away will have a better understanding of their personal limits and greater self-knowledge. A properly scheduled break will improve ambition rather than reducing it, because it enables people to work with more purpose and strength when they come back,” adds Mr Giriprasad.
Bottomline
The recent wave of celebrity hiatuses signals a healthy shift in how we perceive work and achievement in 2026. It is not just celebrities or top corporate leaders; even Gen Z and Millennials are increasingly opting to take a break and pause when needed, prioritising their physical and mental health. Whether you are a global performer like Zakir Khan or a professional in a high-stress corporate job, the pinnacle is only worth reaching if you have the mental health to enjoy the view.
FAQ
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What is Zakir Khan suffering from?
In a recent candid conversation after announcing his break from the industry, Zakir Khan revealed that certain genetic illnesses in his family tend to surface after a particular age, and he needs to take care of his health. -
Is it okay to have a career break?
Yes, experts believe taking a break is a vital survival strategy that allows you to restore your emotional balance and prevents high-functioning burnout from turning into a permanent mental health crisis. -
What are the benefits of taking breaks?
Taking a break resets your priorities, clears the mental residue of past work, and restores your nervous system, allowing you to return with much more purpose, creativity, and emotional strength.
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