WATCH: Nadine Lustre on avoiding career burnout, prioritizing self

MANILA — With back-to-back lead roles on the big screen just in the first half of the year, on top of a music career, Nadine Lustre acknowledged that she has started to feel the onset of burnout.

Lustre, 25, got candid on the importance of preventing burnout during the Monday premiere night of one of those movies, “Indak.”

She cited it as the reason behind her withdrawal from a film project, the Philippine adaptation of “Miracle in Cell No. 7,” which is set to go in production in time for a Christmas Day release for the Metro Manila Film Festival.

“I’m not rushing. I’m happy with what I did for this year. And I know na marami pa pong darating. And if it’s not for me, hindi talaga para sa akin. Darating naman po ‘yung right project for me, e,” Lustre told ABS-CBN News.

Lustre clarified that, contrary to a previous statement of producer Viva Films, she did not pull out from the project due to medical concerns.

“I really just want to rest, kasi medyo nararamdaman ko na ‘yung burnout, ‘yung pagod,” she said, noting the extensive preparation for “Indak,” as well as the promotional tour leading up to its release.

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“I really requested talaga for a break, para makapag-recharge ako,” she added.

Asked how she became more mindful of her mental health and well-being in relation to her work, Lustre recalled her career breakthrough with onscreen partner and real-life boyfriend James Reid. In a span of 2 years starting 2014, the 2 co-starred in 5 films and 3 TV series.

“A few years ago, naranasan ko ‘yun, na tuloy-tuloy kami sa work, and then parang ang ending ko noon, medyo umayaw ako sa ginagawa ko,” she said.

Lustre has made no secret of a tumultuous time in her career and personal life, when she grappled with depression — a fact she first revealed in 2017.

“Sana hindi na ulit mangyari, kasi nga ‘pag nakakapagod talaga, eventually parang gusto mo lumayo na lang or magpahinga or magkulong ka na lang sa bahay.

“So I guess this time, ayoko lang talaga mawala ‘yung love ko sa pag-arte and love ko sa ginagawa ko,” Lustre said.