In my early days, I used to think saying “yes” was the key to success.

Yes to tight timelines.
Yes to vague briefs.
Yes to every small request tagged as “urgent.”
It made me feel like a professional. A problem-solver. The guy who could handle it all.

But not long ago, I said “yes” one too many times—and nearly burned myself out.

This wasn’t some dramatic collapse. It was slow. Silent. The kind of burnout that creeps up when you’re too deep in work and too far from yourself. And it came from a project I took on, thinking it was just another challenge.

It Started Like Any Other Gig

A past client referred me to someone who was “in a hurry” to launch a brand-new site.
Nothing out of the ordinary—I’ve been developing websites for over a decade, and I’ve worked with more than 100 businesses across the globe. I build full websites, landing pages, e-commerce setups, performance optimization, SEO—you name it.

They needed it fast. They had a fuzzy idea of what they wanted, and no content ready. But I thought, “Let’s do this. I’ve pulled off worse.”

I was managing full-time work with a US agency, building Eventswow (my events industry platform), helping my institute, and also running freelance projects on the side.
But I took this on.

I didn’t quote extra for the rush.
I didn’t ask for a proper scope.
I didn’t pause to ask myself whether it was even worth it.

And Then the Chaos Began

The project looked simple on the surface—but nothing was clear.
They’d say things like:

• “Can we do something like this website I saw yesterday?”
• “We don’t have content yet, but just put some placeholder for now.”
• “Let’s make it more premium—can you show me 3-4 layouts?”

And because I had said “yes,” I kept going.
I worked through weekends.
Responded to WhatsApp messages at 11 pm.
Skipped meals. Skipped personal work.
Pushed my own site, my clients, and even Eventswow to the side.

The site went through five design iterations. Not because the first one was bad—but because the client’s vision kept changing. There was no process. No final decision. Just me, chasing a moving target.

The Moment Everything Hit Me

One evening, I was sitting at my desk—tired, frustrated, and staring at yet another message:

“Can we just redo the homepage again? It’s not feeling fresh.”

And that’s when Ayaan—my 11-year-old nephew—walked into the room.

He saw me hunched over, my plate of food untouched, and casually asked:
“Why do you work so much if you’re always this tired?”

I froze.

That question wasn’t meant to hurt—but it did.
Because it was honest.
And it made me realize: I wasn’t working smart. I was drowning in tasks that didn’t matter, for people who didn’t value my time, my expertise, or my peace of mind.

I Finally Said No

That night, I did something I had avoided for weeks.

I sent the client an email:

“Hi ________, I’d like us to pause and reassess the project scope. The pace, revisions, and overall direction have become unsustainable, and I believe we need to realign expectations to move forward meaningfully.”

To my surprise, they agreed.

We trimmed the scope.
Launched a simpler, functional version.
And I politely declined the second phase.

I didn’t lose a client that day—I gained clarity.

What I Changed After That

That project changed how I work today. It taught me to protect my energy, not just my calendar.

1. I Don’t Jump Into Projects Without Clarity Anymore

Now, I have a pre-project checklist. I don’t just take on work. I qualify it.
If the client isn’t clear on goals, content, timeline, or budget—I step back.

2. I Prioritize My Own Time (Without Guilt)

I’m building Eventswow. I’m managing long-term clients. I’m also helping family.
My time is limited, so I use it wisely now. No more late-night rework marathons.

3. I Use AI to Work Smarter

I’ve built my own AI chatbot plugin, content generator, and lead automation tools—because repeating the same manual tasks every day was killing my joy.

4. I Remember Ayaan’s Words

Every time I feel the urge to say yes to something that doesn’t feel right, I think of Ayaan asking me that innocent question. That’s my checkpoint now.

If You’re a Freelancer, Developer, or Creator…

Here’s what I’ve learned the hard way:

• Not all clients deserve your time.
• Not all projects are worth the stress.
• And not all money is good money.

Saying no doesn’t make you weak. It makes you wise.
Because when you say yes to everything, you end up saying no to yourself.

I’ve built a career over 12+ years working with clients from all over the world. But this one project—this one messy, boundary-breaking, energy-draining experience—taught me something I never learned in a course or client meeting:

If your work costs your peace, it’s too expensive.

Now, I choose clients who respect my time.
I set boundaries early.
And I remind myself that my worth isn’t tied to my willingness to suffer.

Thanks for reading. If you’ve ever felt close to burnout, I hope this story reminds you:
You’re allowed to pause.
You’re allowed to choose better.
You’re allowed to say no.

– Deepak Hasija
Founder @ Eventswow | WordPress Developer | Digital Consultant