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About Mikayla Nogueira
Mikayla Nogueira, a prominent beauty influencer and makeup artist, recently opened up about her work addiction for PS’s Radical Honesty issue. Her story sheds light on the intense pressures and mental health challenges that come with a career in social media influencing.
Nogueira’s journey to fame began almost overnight with her first viral video. “As someone with a workaholic mindset, I thought, ‘My dream is in my hands. If I want this to become a reality, I need to work my ass off,'” she recalls. The next day, she started posting five videos daily and maintained that pace for years. Four years later, she continues to post three to five times a day.
The influencer has over 14 million TikTok fans and continues to dazzle the virtual world with her makeup magic, recently making the Forbes 30 Under 30 list.
Work Ethic and Guilt
The pressure to maintain her success leaves Nogueira feeling guilty about taking breaks.
She admits that: “It’s hard to not feel guilty taking breaks because of how privileged and blessed I am to even have this career,” she admits. Raised by entrepreneurial parents who instilled a strong work ethic in her, she has always felt compelled to work tirelessly, holding multiple jobs simultaneously from a young age.
Being an influencer involves countless hours of editing, recording, and engaging with followers. Despite the privileges of her career, Nogueira often feels guilty when not working. “I realized I have to give myself grace,” she acknowledges. To combat her work addiction, she now forces herself to take one week off each year, though she admits it’s a struggle.
Discovering OCPD
Nogueira recently learned she has Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD), which fuels her obsession with control, perfection, and work. “Everything I do is planned down to the minute, and if I go off that plan, I spiral,” she explains. This condition affects her mental health and relationships, as she struggles to balance her rigorous schedule with her personal life.
Workaholic
The extent of her work addiction became evident during her wedding week, where she found herself documenting everything instead of enjoying the moment.
“My family and husband eventually intervened,” she shares. They questioned her motives and expressed concern for her well-being. This intervention was a wake-up call, making her realize the toll her work habits were taking on her life.
Facing Public Scrutiny
Opening up about her struggles has not always been met with empathy. After expressing exhaustion online, Nogueira faced backlash and memes mocking her complaints. “That can be difficult to see and hear knowing what I go through behind the scenes,” she confesses. This experience highlighted the broader issue of work addiction and the lack of understanding around it.
Finding Passion and Balance
Nogueira believes that work addiction is normalized in society, particularly in the US. “We’re conditioned to believe that if you’re not overworking, you’re not doing enough,” she says. She advocates for more discussions about mental health to foster understanding and connection among people.
Despite her struggles, Nogueira feels fortunate to be doing something she loves. She encourages others to find their passion and, if possible, turn it into a career. For Nogueira, balancing her workaholic tendencies with self-care and mental health remains a daily challenge, but she’s committed to finding a healthier way to pursue her dreams.
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