‘I Was a Workhorse’: Priyanka Chopra Jonas on the Danger of Glorified Exhaustion and the Need for Balance
Global icon Priyanka Chopra Jonas is challenging the pervasive professional culture that celebrates constant exhaustion, sharing her own journey from being a “workhorse” to prioritizing a sustainable work-life balance.
For many professionals, burnout has become an unrecognized badge of honor. The actor, producer, and entrepreneur recently opened up about her evolving relationship with work, admitting she too once embraced the relentless hustle culture.
“I was a workhorse. I never had any work-life balance, honestly,” Chopra Jonas confessed. “But as I’m getting older, I think I’ve reached a place in my life where I prioritize it.”
The Shift: From Grinding to Working Smart
The pivotal shift in her perspective began after she started a family, prompting her to actively seek a more sustainable way to live and work.
Chopra Jonas is vocal about how the professional world often glorifies exhaustion, making many feel that success mandates sacrificing personal well-being.
“I think exhaustion is glorified a lot in our professional lives. That whole idea that you have to grind until you’re exhausted, and that’s when you’ll succeed—I disagree,” Priyanka stated. She added, “I’ve learned that working hard is important, but so is working smart. And that understanding comes with experience.”
Her approach now centres on being intentional with her time. “Now, I always make sure I switch off when I’m done with my workday. I prioritize my workday—I accelerate it so it’s efficient, and I’m not wasting my time or anyone else’s.” She concludes that prioritizing family life ultimately improves her professional output: “You just have to prioritize what’s important to you. Taking time to spend with your family, that’s what makes me better at doing my job.”
Beyond the Buzzword: A Psychologist’s View on Burnout
Counselling psychologist Srishti Vatsa notes that Chopra Jonas’s reflections resonate with what many professionals are beginning to realize. Vatsa explains that burnout is not always a dramatic event; it often manifests as emotional detachment or a feeling of emptiness.
“I see people in therapy who are smart, driven, and completely drained. They don’t come in saying ‘I’m burnt out.’ They say things like, ‘I feel blank,’ or ‘I don’t enjoy anything anymore.’ Somewhere along the way, they started believing that if you’re not exhausted, you’re not working hard enough,” Vatsa explained.
Vatsa also cautions that while mantras like “find balance” sound simple, structural inequality plays a huge role in who can actually afford to take breaks. “Rest is a privilege, and not everyone has it. So if we want to stop burnout, we can’t just put the pressure on individuals. We need to build work cultures that make rest normal and not something you earn after breaking down.”
Tiredness vs. Burnout: Knowing the Difference
The psychologist is quick to differentiate between healthy tiredness from growth and toxic burnout.
“Sometimes you’re tired because you’re learning something new, or building something that matters to you. It’s not always burnout. The key is knowing the difference and knowing when to stop,” Vatsa advised.
She summarized the distinction clearly: “The first kind of tiredness needs recovery. The second needs boundaries. And it’s important to know the difference, because not all hard work is toxic. Sometimes growth is uncomfortable. The idea is not to avoid effort, it’s to avoid losing your sense of self in the process.”
Disclaimer
This article is based on a public interview given by Priyanka Chopra Jonas and the professional opinion of counselling psychologist Srishti Vatsa. The content is for informational and motivational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional mental health or career advice. If you or someone you know is experiencing severe burnout, please seek assistance from a qualified professional.
