How to Recognize and Overcome Burnout: Practical Steps to Reclaim Balance in Your Life
Recognizing Burnout and How to Reclaim Balance in Your Life
Ever notice how, when you're burned out, life starts to feel dim and fuzzy around the edges? No matter how much you try to bring things into focus, clarity just slips through your fingers. You push yourself harder, thinking you can fix it, but nothing seems to work.
That's exactly how I began to feel. Life felt dim, unfocused, and even though I tried my best, I couldn’t bring clarity to any area. I felt miserable, but for a long time, I didn’t recognize the signs of burnout. I figured I was just tired—maybe I wasn't getting enough rest. So, I tried going to bed earlier, thinking that would help. When that didn’t work, I wondered if my diet was to blame. Maybe I wasn’t fueling my body right? So, I tweaked my meals.
And, like many of us do, I thought the solution might be in productivity. Maybe I just wasn’t getting enough done? My to-do list never seemed to shrink (because let’s face it, there’s no real end to a to-do list), so I thought, If I can just burn through more tasks, faster, I’ll feel better. I convinced myself that if I could organize every aspect of my life more efficiently, juggle all my responsibilities perfectly, and please everyone around me—then I’d finally feel on top of things.
Spoiler alert: that didn’t happen.
Instead, things got worse. My hair started falling out in alarming amounts, I gained 10 pounds, and my relationships began to suffer. I lost touch with friends, and I couldn’t keep up with work or personal obligations. Ironically, in my efforts to get more organized, I got further behind. My emotional stability also took a hit, and I found myself acting irrationally, especially toward my love interest. I was a mess—a far cry from the rockstar-business-goddess I’d imagined. And it wasn’t the glamorous kind of “hot mess,” either.
Clearly, the "hustle harder" approach wasn’t working. I needed to take a step back and reevaluate. When I finally did, I learned some important lessons about the root causes of burnout and the changes I needed to make.
“Burnout is what happens when you try to avoid being human for too long.”
The Three Main Causes of Life Burnout:
Burnout usually stems from three major areas:
A) Trying to do everything, spreading yourself too thin, and expecting perfection in everything you touch.
B) Filling your life with too many activities, commitments, or obligations that don’t bring you joy or fulfillment.
C) Neglecting self-care and failing to replenish your energy.
Once I recognized where my burnout was coming from, I took actionable steps that made all the difference in my life. Here’s what I learned:
1 // Be Vulnerable with Your Tribe
It’s easy to put on a brave face and pretend everything is fine, but there’s power in vulnerability. Be open with the people who truly love and support you. Let them know what’s going on in your life, what struggles you’re facing, and where you’re feeling overwhelmed. When you allow yourself to be vulnerable, you’re more likely to receive the emotional support and even practical help you need.
There’s no shame in reaching out for support. Especially as women, we thrive when we nurture strong connections with other women. Lori Harder’s book beautifully explores this need for a supportive tribe of women, and I highly recommend it.
2 // Outsource Whatever You Can
One of the best ways to free up your time and energy is to outsource tasks that don’t need your personal touch. Whether it’s hiring a cleaner for seasonal deep cleans, using a grocery delivery service like Instacart, or subscribing to pet supply services like Chewy, outsourcing can be a game-changer. Even something as simple as having a personal shopper at a store like Nordstrom, or using services like Rent the Runway for special occasions, can take the hassle out of routine tasks.
The key is to focus on what brings you joy and needs your attention. Everything else? Find a way to delegate or simplify it.
3 // Detox Your Social Media
Social media can be a wonderful tool for connection, but it can also be a source of stress if not managed carefully. You don’t need to quit entirely, but take a hard look at your feed. Are the people you follow uplifting you? Are they aligned with your values and interests, or do they often post content that causes stress or drama?
Social media should be enjoyable and positive. Unfollow accounts that create negative emotions, and curate your feed to reflect the kind of energy you want in your life.
4 // Reevaluate Your Social Circle
The people you surround yourself with can either uplift you or drain you. Take a close look at your relationships—after spending time with someone, do you feel energized and supported, or do you feel drained and unfulfilled?
It’s important to recognize when certain friendships have run their course. People change, and not everyone grows in the same direction. If a relationship no longer feels good, it may be time to let go. Hanging on to toxic or unfulfilling friendships will only add to your stress and burnout.
5 // Schedule Time for Yourself
This is non-negotiable. Every day, schedule time for you. Whether it’s a quiet morning routine, a walk in nature, or a bubble bath at the end of the day, you need to carve out time that allows you to relax and recharge.
Women often feel guilty for taking time for themselves, but self-care isn’t selfish—it’s essential. When you take care of yourself, you’re able to show up better in all areas of your life. You’ll be more present, more engaged, and more inspired in your relationships, work, and daily responsibilities.
6 // Make a List of What You Dislike
Take inventory of all the things in your life that frustrate you or leave you feeling dissatisfied. Write down everything, no matter how big or small. Then, go through that list and brainstorm ways to either eliminate those things or change your perspective on them.
Sometimes, it’s about making external changes, and sometimes it’s about shifting your mindset. Even during challenging seasons, it helps to remind yourself that hardship often leads to growth and new opportunities.
7 // Make a List of What You Love
Now, take the opposite approach and list everything in your life that makes you happy or lights you up. Brainstorm ways to invite more of those things into your life. What makes you feel alive? What activities or experiences leave you feeling fulfilled? Find ways to do more of those things.
8 // Don’t Be Afraid to Make Changes
Burnout is your body and mind’s way of signaling that something needs to change. It’s easy to get comfortable in routines, even when they’re no longer serving us, but real growth comes from making tough decisions.
The changes you need to make might be scary, but they’re necessary for you to step into a life where you’re thriving instead of just surviving. I waited until I was on the brink of collapse before making the changes I knew I needed to. Don’t let it get that far—listen to what burnout is telling you and take action.
In the end, I realized that the burnout I experienced was a wake-up call. It forced me to confront what wasn’t working in my life and make changes that allowed me to finally step into a more fulfilling, balanced, and happy version of myself.
With warmth,
Sarah Voiles
