“Burnout is not a badge of honor. It’s a signal that your soul is begging for a different way to live.”
May is Mental Health Awareness Month—and there’s no better time to talk about something many of us silently carry: burnout.
I used to believe that hustle was the only path to success.
That if I just worked harder, pushed through the exhaustion, and filled every waking hour with productivity, I’d eventually arrive—at success, fulfillment, peace.
Spoiler: I didn’t.
What I did arrive at was burnout.
The Breaking Point
At the time, my days were a blur. I was juggling work, family, and the never-ending to-do list that always seemed to grow no matter how much I got done.
Sleep was optional. Rest felt like weakness. And “me time”? That felt selfish.
Until one morning, my body just… stopped cooperating.
I couldn’t get out of bed without crying. My heart was racing, my mind was foggy, and everything felt heavy. I had been ignoring the warning signs—irritability, fatigue, digestive issues, brain fog—for months.
That was my wake-up call.
What Burnout Really Looks Like
Burnout isn’t just feeling tired. It’s physical, emotional, and spiritual depletion.
It looks like:
- Snapping at the people you love.
- Lying awake at night, mind racing.
- Feeling like nothing you do is enough.
- Losing the passion for work you once loved.
And yet, we don’t talk about it enough—especially in a world that glorifies “doing it all.”
The Shift Toward Balance
That breaking point became my turning point.
I didn’t overhaul my life overnight. Honestly, I didn’t have the energy for that.
But I made one small decision: to start honoring my body, mind, and soul again.
Here’s what that looked like:
1. Creating Non-Negotiable Morning Moments
Instead of diving straight into my phone or my to-do list, I started my day with 5 minutes of stillness. Sometimes breathwork, sometimes journaling, sometimes just sipping tea in silence. It changed everything.
2. Redefining Productivity
I began measuring my days not by how much I got done, but by how aligned I felt. If I accomplished one task with intention, it was a win.
3. Letting Go of “All or Nothing” Thinking
Balance isn’t a perfect schedule—it’s fluid. Some days I rest more. Some days I create more. I stopped expecting myself to be superhuman every day.
What I Gained When I Let Go
When I started choosing balance over burnout:
- I got my energy back.
- I reconnected with my purpose.
- I became a better parent, partner, and entrepreneur.
And most importantly, I began living for myself—not just for the next milestone.
If You’re in the Middle of Burnout…
This is your reminder:
You don’t have to earn rest.
You don’t need to wait until you break to make a change.
Small shifts create momentum. One boundary. One morning ritual. One deep breath.
You deserve a life that feels as good on the inside as it looks on the outside.
This May, Honor Your Mental Health
Burnout isn’t weakness. It’s a signal—your body and mind asking for a different way of living.
You don’t have to earn rest.
You don’t need to wait until you break to make a change.
Small shifts create momentum. One boundary. One morning ritual. One deep breath.
You deserve a life that feels as good on the inside as it looks on the outside.
In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month:
Take a moment to check in with yourself. Ask: What is one small way I can support my mental well-being today?
And if you’ve experienced burnout, I’d love to hear your story. What helped you find your way back to balance? 💬
