Burnout Isn’t a Buzzword, It’s a Breakup Letter From Your Soul

   

 

At first, I didn’t even realize I was burned out. I thought I was just... tired. You know, the regular kind. The "I-just-need-a-matcha-and-some-dry-shampoo" type of tired. I chalked it up to work stress, a messy calendar, too much dirty laundry, and being “busy” (which I wore like a badge of honor, btw).

But then the tired started to feel heavier. Stickier. No amount of sleep fixed it. No bubble bath, no self-help podcast, not even a spontaneous cry in the shower helped. Every day felt like a drag and nothing could help brighten it. That’s when I realized: this wasn’t tired. This was burnout.

And not the “take-a-day-off-and-you’re-good” kind.
This was soul-level burnout—the kind that makes you question everything, what steps you took to get here, and why you ever thought you were built for this version of “independence” in the first place. I think it’s okay to admit when you’re overwhelmed, under-stimulated, and stuck in the rat race. Sometimes your loved ones take notice to your quality of life before you do. Other times you’re so tired of trying to keep up that everything feels like it’s falling apart. I’ve been here many times, but those closest to me know exactly when this feeling was so evident that I could not ignore, and I wish I had somewhere to go to for advice or speak to someone who had also gone through this and knew what it felt like. If you’re feeling this way, in any area of your life, know that it’s perfectly okay! And by reading this, maybe you’ll get the encouragement you need to keep going (and keep growing)  <3

 

The Slow Fade Before the Breakup

Burnout doesn’t storm in like a drama queen, it usually isn’t so sudden. It can be sooo freaking subtle and creeps in when you least expect it- checking off goals and aspirations, smiling through meetings, replying “Haha lol!!” to texts you’re too exhausted to read.

It’s important to note: It starts by muting your joy. Then your drive. Then your creativity. Before you know it, you’re a walking robot with a pulse, wondering where the hell your spark went.

I remember waking up one morning and thinking, “If I have to reply to one more email pretending I care, I’m going to lose it!!”. Not in a bratty way—in a my-soul-can’t-take-this kind of way.

That’s when it hit me:
Burnout isn’t just about being overworked.
It’s being out of alignment—physically, mentally, and emotionally, from what fuels you.
It’s your soul drafting a breakup letter that starts with:
“Hey love, it’s not me. It’s the life we built that’s no longer working.”

 

 

So I Broke Up With Burnout

Like any messy breakup, it didn’t happen all at once. I didn’t just wake up and say, “Today, I will heal my nervous system and reclaim my peace.” LOL. I cried, ghosted deadlines, canceled plans, and stared at the ceiling a lot. (A lot a lot.) I battled with the anxiety of taking the leap and the uncertainty of what my life would look like without my career I worked so hard for. How would I make money? What do I value more: freedom or safety? Am I being impulsive? 

But somewhere in the middle of the spiral, I started listening.

I gave myself permission to be done.
To stop forcing.
To stop pretending.
To stop chasing a version of success that looked great from the outside but felt hollow in my body.

And slowly, I started asking better questions.

• What actually feels good?
• What would rest look like if I had a career that didn’t feel so depleting? 
• What if being soft was more powerful than being productive?

 

Here’s What I Know Now

Burnout isn’t weakness. It’s wisdom.
It’s your body waving a white flag, your mind asking for mercy, and your soul calling B.S. on the whole performance.

It’s not just a phase.
It’s a pause that’s trying to redirect you.

So if you're there—if you're reading this through tired eyes, fears and anxiety, and the feeling that this can’t be what life is all about—please know this:

You're not lazy. You're not broken. You're not behind. 
You're done. You’ve evolved. And that’s okay.

Burnout is just your inner self saying:
“Hey babe. We deserve better. Let’s start again.”