This Woman Left Her Job As A Content Creator To Work A 9-To-5, And It's Starting An Important Conversation About Burnout

A former full-time influencer is going viral for sharing the reasons why she left the field of content creation, and I don't think anyone was expecting to hear what she had to say:

Maddison Collinge / Via tiktok.com

In a TikTok with over half a million views, Maddison Collinge, 28, who goes by @maddison__lynn on the platform, reflects on her decision to quit full-time content creation. "I was a full-time influencer for little over two years, and before that, I had a real job," she said in the clip. "Well, long story short, I just started making more money doing this [content creation], and I was like more passionate about it, so I was like, 'Why the heck am I like doing this job?' Could be doing this [content creation] full-time and like making more money."

"So I've been influencing, content creating, whatever you want to call it for the last couple of years... [There were] a lot of different reasons I decided to go back to work. One of them being, I just got bored. Every single day, I would do the same thing."

"Of course, you're working on different projects some days. But, a video concept, a video idea, filming a video, editing a video, it does not take me that long. It does not take me all day... I just felt like I just wasn't fulfilled, I, I didn't feel like I was filled with passion, I didn't feel like I was helping anybody, I didn't feel like a, like a purpose, really," Maddison explained.

Other content creators took to the comments to share how balancing a full-time job, school, or other responsibilities helped bring them a greater sense of purpose as well:

"Completely relate to this. I haven't let go of working for a multitude of reasons but sometimes influencing feels so meaningless tbh."

"This is my exact thought process, I'm a full-time student, work and record my life on the side, I feel like doing this full-time wouldn't fill my cup."

"That's exactly how I felt and that's why I decided to go back to school and get an interior design degree already having a bachelor's in biz so I could work in something creative that'd fulfill me."

Further, commenters were praising Maddison's transparency and her refreshing take on the subject of influencing as a full-time job:

"This is such an interesting and unique perspective that I have so much respect for. Good for you! Not many ppl would challenge themselves this way."

Others also pointed out how some don't often view full-time content creation as a career people can grow out of:

"People are forgetting that being a content creator is another career that you could potentially not like. Just [like] how you want to leave your job when you're not stimulated mentally."

To learn more about the current state of content creation, BuzzFeed spoke to Maddison, now a social worker, about how her life has changed since she left full-time content creation and what advice she would give others who are looking to do the same:

The 28-year-old explained, "My 9-to-5 makes me feel like I have a purpose outside of myself. I feel like my content is very 'me' focused, and in my 9-to-5, I get to focus on others."

"My most recent position back at a 9-to-5 was a contracted travel position in a hospital as a social worker. It was eight weeks long. My situation may look a little different than someone now in a full-time position. But speaking from my experience, getting to go back short term was my perfect situation. It provided me with a different routine; I was able to feel a sense of purpose in something else again; it was great sharing the experience with my audience. And when the contract ended, I felt a new spark and motivation for my social media again."

When asked if she believes more influencers will choose a 9-to-5 job as time passes, she said, "I think as the influencer market continues to change, there is a strong possibility that more influencers will continue to keep a 9-to-5 or additional job on top of influencing. Personally, I feel it provides a good balance of routine, income/stability, social activity, etc."

"I think people think because you work on your own time, you don’t have anyone telling you what to do, it’s extremely flexible. I think for some, this sounds like a dream. Of course, who wouldn’t want such a flexible schedule? But it also takes a ton of self-discipline, which I was not prepared for and still struggle with occasionally."

She also shared her take on the future of influencing, "This is just a prediction, but I definitely see creation getting more personal and less 'consumer-y.' Focusing on more experiences and real-life than products. But I also think product promotion will always be around. "

Finally, if other influencers are considering whether they should return to a 9-to-5 job, Maddison says, "Maybe try something part-time first to see if it's something you really want to get yourself into. Part-time might actually be the perfect mix of being back at a 'regular job' while also having time and energy to create content. But balancing a full-time job and influencing is definitely achievable. Go for it!"

What are your thoughts? Do you think content creation can be a long-term career? Let us know in the comments below!

You can keep up with Maddison on TikTok.