In an article discussing her journey from being a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist to experiencing severe stress and burnout, Mar Cabra shares her candid thoughts on the complexities of balancing work and personal life. She humorously notes that while family can be a challenge, it's a reality check compared to the demands of her job. Cabra acknowledges that she once believed that being constantly overworked and stressed improved her skills and character; however, this led to a breakdown that ultimately forced her to reevaluate the impact of prolonged stress on her health and well-being.

As she reflects on her experiences, Cabra emphasizes that the intense pressure she placed on herself did not cultivate the best version of her. Instead, it exacerbated her fears and led to detrimental effects on her mental and physical health. She illustrates this point by referring to her involvement in the Panama Papers investigation, which was a massive international collaboration involving around 400 journalists. Despite the scale of the project, Cabra realizes that her hyperactive lifestyle was counterproductive and that the pursuit of professionalism should not come at the expense of personal health.

Overall, Cabra's story highlights a critical conversation about the influence of work culture on personal identities, especially in high-pressure fields like journalism. By sharing her struggles, she hopes to encourage others to prioritize their mental health and consider whether their work habits are sustainable or fulfilling in the long run.