Written by Laura-Mai Edwards
Do you ever feel like you're running on empty, constantly moving but never quite arriving? Like you're clinging to the edge of a life that demands more than it gives?
For years, I was caught in the fast-flowing and ever changing current of external expectations. Like many, I leapt in, convinced that success meant relentless forward motion. Graduating from university with pride, stepping into the professional world, I didn’t stop to ask what I truly wanted—I only felt I should keep doing. Keep achieving. Keep proving.
In what felt like the blink of an eye, over a decade had passed in my corporate career, and I found myself:
Clinging to. Surviving. Grasping. Toughing it out. Holding on for dear life.
These words weren’t just passing thoughts; they had become the framework of my existence. I was succeeding by every external measure, yet internally, I felt an overwhelming sense of emptiness, exhaustion and disconnection from myself.
I think this is at the root of our modern day overwhelm and subsequent burnout. When we are constantly performing for others, rather than connecting with ourselves.
The Modern Epidemic of Burnout
We live in a world that glorifies productivity, that equates busyness with worthiness. But at what cost?
Burnout isn’t just feeling tired after a long week—it’s a complete state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion. And the effects can be long lasting.
Psychologist Herbert Freudenberger first defined burnout in 1974 as “the loss of motivation, a growing sense of emotional depletion, and cynicism.” Today, it’s a widespread crisis, exacerbated by the pressure to juggle careers, caregiving, financial stress, and the ever-present digital noise of modern life.
According to Mental Health UK, burnout is more than just stress: "Burnout can be a cause for mental ill health and could be a risk factor for developing mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety."
So why don’t we talk about it more?
Burnout often carries a heavy weight of shame and guilt. We believe that if we’re struggling, it must be our fault—that we should just work harder, push through, or be more resilient. This mindset only deepens the exhaustion, making it even harder to seek support.
The Shift from ‘Doing’ to ‘Being’
At the peak of my experience with burnout, I craved rest—but when I had the occasional chance to slow down, I found myself scrolling mindlessly, too exhausted to engage in anything truly restorative. I was so used to being busy that stillness felt foreign, even uncomfortable.
“Taking time for leisure has become just another item on the to-do list, rather than a practice of true restoration.” ~ Oliver Burkeman, Four Thousand Weeks
I realized that healing from burnout wasn’t just about taking breaks; it was about redefining my relationship with rest. It was about learning to be instead of constantly doing. Learning how to engage in something without always having an outcome, simply for the enjoyment of it.
Recovery from burnout requires a multifaceted approach, and will be different for everyone. Here are a couple of methods to consider if you feel you have or are experiencing burnout:
Seek Support: Talk to a therapist, coach, or trusted friend. Burnout is not something you have to navigate alone.
Set Boundaries: Learn to say no to commitments that drain your energy and set clear limits with work, social obligations, and digital distractions.
Reassess Priorities: Reflect on what truly matters to you and let go of activities or obligations that do not align with your values.
Small Shifts, Simple Joys
True rest isn’t about escaping life—it’s about finding small ways to reconnect with yourself daily. And it doesn’t have to mean hours of meditation or silent retreats. Rest looks different for everyone. The key is to create intentional space for something that nourishes you, rather than drains you further.
Some of the simple shifts I have been exploring:
Taking a short, mindful break away from the screen—even just for 15 minutes over lunch.
Picking up a book instead of my phone—gives the mind a different kind of stimulation.
Going for a longer walk—perhaps a new route, immersing in the surroundings.
Have a long, unhurried conversation with a friend—not just a quick voice note.
Enjoy a slow meal with good company—without distractions.
It doesn’t have to be a dramatic lifestyle overhaul. Small, intentional changes create ripple effects. The more we pause to connect with ourselves, the more we can tune into what we truly need.
As psychologist Carl Jung said, “taking the right next step” means focusing on doing the “next most necessary thing” rather than worrying about the grand picture of life.”
The body keeps the score
Burnout is not a sign of weakness. It’s a message. A signal from your body and mind that something is misaligned. The more we listen to it—without guilt, without self-judgment—the more we can create a life that supports our well-being, rather than drains it.
“As we begin to re-experience a visceral reconnection with the needs of our bodies, there is a brand new capacity to warmly love the self. We experience a new quality of authenticity in our caring, which redirects our attention to our health, our diets, our energy, our time management. This enhanced care for the self arises spontaneously and naturally, not as a response to a ‘should.’ We are able to experience an immediate and intrinsic pleasure in self-care.” ~ Stephen Cope, Yoga and the Quest for the True Self
So, what’s one small shift you can make today?
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