Burnout Doesn’t Always Look Like Falling Apart—Sometimes It Looks Like Me

As a practitioner, I’ve spent years holding space for others—supporting clients, educating students, building programs, answering the call to serve.

But somewhere along the way, I stopped noticing the quiet signals my own body and spirit were sending.

Because burnout doesn’t always come crashing in. Sometimes, it seeps in softly—camouflaged by routine, masked by productivity, disguised as “doing what needs to be done.”

What Burnout Looked Like for Me

It wasn’t one dramatic moment—it was the accumulation of subtle shifts:

• Dreading work, I once loved

• Over-functioning to the point of numbness

• Smiling in meetings while feeling completely depleted

• Losing empathy—not because I didn’t care, but because I had nothing left to give

• Forgetting what joy, creativity, or rest even felt like

• Feeling guilty for needing a break

I was still “performing wellness,” even as I quietly unraveled.

The Turning Point

Burnout thrives in silence and isolation. It tells us to push through, to stay grateful, to keep going.

But here’s what I’ve learned: Burnout isn’t a personal failure—it’s a physiological and emotional feedback system. It’s the body’s alarm saying, “I can’t keep carrying this weight without rest, reflection, and repair.”

And so—after resisting, denying, and delaying—I’ve finally decided to listen.

Starting Today, I Am Rebuilding

Not just my schedule.Not just my boundaries.But myself.

I am rebuilding the joy in my work, the space in my day, the ease in my body, and the permission to rest without guilt.

I am learning that being well and doing good work are not mutually exclusive.

And maybe you are too.

If You’re Here, You’re Not Alone

If you’re feeling burnt out, here’s what I want you to know:

You are not weak. You are wise. Your exhaustion is not laziness—it’s a sign that you’ve been pouring from an empty cup for far too long. You deserve the same care you offer others.

✨ So take a deep breath.✨ Step back if needed.✨ Rebuild slowly.✨ Ask for support.

Starting today, I am rebuilding.

And I invite you to join me.

What does rebuilding look like for you? What’s one small thing you’re reclaiming?

Feel free to share in the comments or let this post be your reminder: You don’t have to do it all alone.

#BurnoutRecovery #PractitionerWellness #HealersHealing #StartAgain #RebuildWithCare #RestIsEssential #MentalHealthMatters