Two years ago, Judd Antin left his position as head of design studio at Airbnb after nearly eight years, aiming to carve a new career path. Despite his aspirations, he faced unexpected challenges adjusting to an unstructured lifestyle. Burnout led Antin to reevaluate satisfaction in both work and life, becoming a stark reminder of how deeply the tech industry's metrics influenced his identity. As he transitioned, he discovered that without established metrics to gauge success, he grappled with anxiety rather than liberation. Eventually, he identified teaching as his 'anchor', helping him establish a structured rhythm while providing fulfillment. Now a lecturer at UC Berkeley, Antin emphasizes the importance of maintaining that structured engagement to thrive post-Big Tech. The journey highlights that while leaving a high-pressure environment might bring relief, it often uncovers deeper reflections on personal metrics of productivity and fulfillment.