I've been there, done that, and got the burnout t-shirt! Reading your post was like a flashback to my own journey. I spent years in a high-stress corporate job, chasing the 'dream' that was supposed to make me happy. It wasn't until I hit rock bottom that I realized something had to change. I love your point about burnout being more than just work-related. It's a whole-life misalignment. For me, it took quitting my job, moving to a new city, and completely reevaluating my priorities to start feeling like myself again. It's a scary journey, but so worth it. Thanks for creating this space for us Burnout Rebels!
Yes Alexander! I love this, and I love how you’ve navigated that turning point in your life. It makes me so happy to hear stories like yours and will give people courage when they read your comment too. Here’s to more rebelling! 🎉🎉
Thanks for this a great article Anna! I think I’ve experienced two types of burnout, both sort of work-related. The first was the intense kind, fuelled by exhaustion and the realisation that even when you are truly serving, work doesn’t love you back - when you reach that breaking point having given your all to them, your employer often doesn’t care, and you’re expendable. That experience changed my attitude to work and I subsequently prioritised my health over career goals after taking a couple of months off to reset.
The second type was slower and more insidious - a gradual creeping feeling of a lack of purpose/achievement at work, and an increasing misalignment between my values and my employer, questioning why I felt so blah about a job many people would love and be grateful for, and wondering how I could find a way out and identify a new, purposeful path that could still sustain me financially. This one was more soul-destroying in a way as it couldn’t be easily fixed with a decent break, instead I needed to shift my vision of what I’d expected the next 10-20 years of my life to be. But having fortunately discovered new work that lights me up (coaching, mindfulness, creativity) I’m coming out the other side and hopefully some day soon these ventures will be my life’s work rather than a side hustle! Baby steps each day 😉
I can so resonate with all of this. It’s hard when you realise your job just doesn’t love you back. I remember when I first started my career someone said to me “you’re always replaceable” and I silently scoffed and thought about how much praise I was getting for managers and how that couldn’t possibly be true. But it always is true. When you hit a rough patch and realise you’re only thought about when you’re of use, and when you later leave and everything carries on the same, you start to ask the questions, why am I doing this role, does it light me up? And yes to the lack of purpose and values. It is such a tough one, particularly when you realise you have to go back to the drawing board and think can I really do this? Can I really start again? I love all of this. Thank you Holly.
I am so excited for you and these steps you’re taking, I am just the same. I can’t wait to see what it brings for you ❤️ xx
I so relate to your description of two types of burnout! I feel like I've come out of the first, but the second still lingers - a sort of continued search of how do I want to spend the rest of my life? Building your life up from scratch after everything you thought you knew came apart is HARD. And stressful, if you're highly conscious of time ticking away. I feel like letting go and trusting in the universe and the unfolding of life is the only way - but I haven't really gotten the hang of that yet...
I hear you Roseanne. When I started the practice of surrendering to the universe (I did a lot of work with Gabby Bernstein) I almost felt fearful, like an ice cold grip, at the thought of surrendering, and if I’m honest I still feel that now, particularly with my dad having leukaemia. But I started to realise that the pain is in the holding on when the universe is gently trying to pull us away. It’s a process for sure x
That's a tough spot to be in Anna, I'm so sorry you're going through this. It's strange to me that we (in the west?) are so opposed to this idea of surrender - I've heard from people from elsewhere they actually found comfort in surrender (to a God in their case). I feel like we've been told so often that we are solely responsible for how our life turns out, that surrendering somehow feels like giving up, or as failure. So we'll need to find beauty and peace in surrendering. But it's tough, for sure. Sending you so much love for you and your family x
Thanks for sharing Rosanne, I'm glad my comment resonated with you. I felt like the first type was acute and all-encompassing, and my body kind of forced me to stop and deal with it ASAP. Whereas the second type was more of a gradual whisper where something just didn't feel right, but I didn't know how to fix it, and over time this spiralled until I knew I had to make a change. I guess the universe answered my questions by bringing new opportunities my way that I'd never considered.
I totally relate on the ticking clock and the eagerness to fix things now. I think something that helped me on that was reflecting that, realistically given my lack of pension pot, I'll be working another 30 years. Which made me take a step back and think, wow, that's a lonnnng time, so it's worth pausing and finding something that's going to bring me joy for the next half of my career. If it takes me a few years to get there, that's okay.
Good luck with your rebuilding Rosanne, I hope the universe brings you answers and opportunities. ✨
Reading "good luck with your rebuilding" today somehow made me tear up - a heartfelt thank you 🙏 I am so happy for you that the universe presented you with new and healthier opportunities! I think that's the thing: we need to let go of this fearful need to control life, because otherwise we won't even see these new opportunities. I'm finding that looking so desperately for "what, then?" will only lead to tunnel vision (ie you won't see a thing).
That's such a good point Rosanne, if we don't keep our eyes (and minds) open, there's so much out there we might miss. I hope the magic arrives for you soon. 🪄
Thanks Anna! I had a tough few years when I was feeling “Is this it? What else can I do?” But I feel really lucky now to have discovered coaching and mindfulness. The opportunity to train as a coach came at just the right time and opened up a new path for me. I’m excited to make the transition to something more meaningful. ✨
I love this post it gives me so much hope! My burnout has not been to do with eprk, it has been to do with being a single parent to a high needs child without adequate community around me. Some of mu burnout and now chronic illness is probably due to not working! And the lack of purpose, passion and connection that brings. I cannot wait to listen to your podcast it sounds brilliant. I would love to be a burnout rebel with you all x
Yes Chloe! Burnout comes in so many forms, thank you for sharing the story of yours. My favourite phrase is ‘hope is the conduit of miracles’ so let’s bring all the hope! So glad you are here. Much love x
I’m so grateful that you popped up in my Notes feed today as I landed & made my way up my anonymous hotel in a big bustling city that is literally on the other side of the world.
This is a mark in the sand if you like, & it would seem Burnout Rebel sits perfectly 🧡
Thank you Anna for shining a starry stream on this & other important life affirming topics. The world needs this 🙏🏻
Thank you so much Tiffany. This is what I hope to do. There are so many of us out there in the edge of something and I think we all need cheerleaders to get us over the line. I’m very excited for you, get settled in and journal journal journal. This is a great time for you! 🎉🎉🎉 xx
"I had to fight for a long time with the idea that ‘slow living’ was not ‘lazy living’." Yesss! So excited to read this piece and for your future work x
Wow! Love the energy of this ⚡️I actually wrote a book on burnout a few years back (Burnt Out - the exhausted person's guide to thriving in a fast paced world) because I was fed up of seeing more and more of my clients AND friends burning out and the growing attitude of 'this is just how it is'. I had seen my dad go through a massive burnout as a kid and then surprise surprise went on to repeat a lot of his workaholic tendencies and was caught in a cycle of mini-burnouts for years until I finally decided enough was enough. Would love to talk to you about my own journey and what I learnt in the process of interviewing lots of people for the book. And very much here for the burnout rebellion!
Oh and by the way, I've been producing my own podcasts for about 10 years so can definitely give you some tips with that too. I think you said you were looking for help on that front x
It’s like we were meant to find one another ✨✨✨ I have a busy week this week (moving house eek…) but I’ll drop you a message at the beginning of next week, I hope that’s ok?xx
Wonderful post, Anna! I am at the stage now where I am burnt out and completely re-evaluating my life priorities. We only get one shot at this so do I want to spend it feeling exhausted, strung out, constantly fighting to find the energy to live a life that is mis-aligned with my values? No. Do I want to cherish every sunset, embrace each season with all its beauty and ritual, wake up excited about each and every day? Most definitely.
This is a good place to be, not burnt out but reevaluating your priorities. It’s all about you now, and in so excited that you’re on this path. You say it so well. And remind why we are all doing this. Thank you Victoria ❤️🙏🏼
Thank you Baird. I absolutely loved reading your article. It’s interesting how when people experience burnout companies will ask the individual what it is they can do internally as opposed to looking at the external factors they may have created. The model you present is so intriguing, and I hope companies consider an approach more like this one if they wish to support their staff. Thank you for sharing it!
I've been there, done that, and got the burnout t-shirt! Reading your post was like a flashback to my own journey. I spent years in a high-stress corporate job, chasing the 'dream' that was supposed to make me happy. It wasn't until I hit rock bottom that I realized something had to change. I love your point about burnout being more than just work-related. It's a whole-life misalignment. For me, it took quitting my job, moving to a new city, and completely reevaluating my priorities to start feeling like myself again. It's a scary journey, but so worth it. Thanks for creating this space for us Burnout Rebels!
Yes Alexander! I love this, and I love how you’ve navigated that turning point in your life. It makes me so happy to hear stories like yours and will give people courage when they read your comment too. Here’s to more rebelling! 🎉🎉
Thanks for this a great article Anna! I think I’ve experienced two types of burnout, both sort of work-related. The first was the intense kind, fuelled by exhaustion and the realisation that even when you are truly serving, work doesn’t love you back - when you reach that breaking point having given your all to them, your employer often doesn’t care, and you’re expendable. That experience changed my attitude to work and I subsequently prioritised my health over career goals after taking a couple of months off to reset.
The second type was slower and more insidious - a gradual creeping feeling of a lack of purpose/achievement at work, and an increasing misalignment between my values and my employer, questioning why I felt so blah about a job many people would love and be grateful for, and wondering how I could find a way out and identify a new, purposeful path that could still sustain me financially. This one was more soul-destroying in a way as it couldn’t be easily fixed with a decent break, instead I needed to shift my vision of what I’d expected the next 10-20 years of my life to be. But having fortunately discovered new work that lights me up (coaching, mindfulness, creativity) I’m coming out the other side and hopefully some day soon these ventures will be my life’s work rather than a side hustle! Baby steps each day 😉
I can so resonate with all of this. It’s hard when you realise your job just doesn’t love you back. I remember when I first started my career someone said to me “you’re always replaceable” and I silently scoffed and thought about how much praise I was getting for managers and how that couldn’t possibly be true. But it always is true. When you hit a rough patch and realise you’re only thought about when you’re of use, and when you later leave and everything carries on the same, you start to ask the questions, why am I doing this role, does it light me up? And yes to the lack of purpose and values. It is such a tough one, particularly when you realise you have to go back to the drawing board and think can I really do this? Can I really start again? I love all of this. Thank you Holly.
I am so excited for you and these steps you’re taking, I am just the same. I can’t wait to see what it brings for you ❤️ xx
I so relate to your description of two types of burnout! I feel like I've come out of the first, but the second still lingers - a sort of continued search of how do I want to spend the rest of my life? Building your life up from scratch after everything you thought you knew came apart is HARD. And stressful, if you're highly conscious of time ticking away. I feel like letting go and trusting in the universe and the unfolding of life is the only way - but I haven't really gotten the hang of that yet...
I hear you Roseanne. When I started the practice of surrendering to the universe (I did a lot of work with Gabby Bernstein) I almost felt fearful, like an ice cold grip, at the thought of surrendering, and if I’m honest I still feel that now, particularly with my dad having leukaemia. But I started to realise that the pain is in the holding on when the universe is gently trying to pull us away. It’s a process for sure x
That's a tough spot to be in Anna, I'm so sorry you're going through this. It's strange to me that we (in the west?) are so opposed to this idea of surrender - I've heard from people from elsewhere they actually found comfort in surrender (to a God in their case). I feel like we've been told so often that we are solely responsible for how our life turns out, that surrendering somehow feels like giving up, or as failure. So we'll need to find beauty and peace in surrendering. But it's tough, for sure. Sending you so much love for you and your family x
Thanks for sharing Rosanne, I'm glad my comment resonated with you. I felt like the first type was acute and all-encompassing, and my body kind of forced me to stop and deal with it ASAP. Whereas the second type was more of a gradual whisper where something just didn't feel right, but I didn't know how to fix it, and over time this spiralled until I knew I had to make a change. I guess the universe answered my questions by bringing new opportunities my way that I'd never considered.
I totally relate on the ticking clock and the eagerness to fix things now. I think something that helped me on that was reflecting that, realistically given my lack of pension pot, I'll be working another 30 years. Which made me take a step back and think, wow, that's a lonnnng time, so it's worth pausing and finding something that's going to bring me joy for the next half of my career. If it takes me a few years to get there, that's okay.
Good luck with your rebuilding Rosanne, I hope the universe brings you answers and opportunities. ✨
Reading "good luck with your rebuilding" today somehow made me tear up - a heartfelt thank you 🙏 I am so happy for you that the universe presented you with new and healthier opportunities! I think that's the thing: we need to let go of this fearful need to control life, because otherwise we won't even see these new opportunities. I'm finding that looking so desperately for "what, then?" will only lead to tunnel vision (ie you won't see a thing).
That's such a good point Rosanne, if we don't keep our eyes (and minds) open, there's so much out there we might miss. I hope the magic arrives for you soon. 🪄
Thanks Anna! I had a tough few years when I was feeling “Is this it? What else can I do?” But I feel really lucky now to have discovered coaching and mindfulness. The opportunity to train as a coach came at just the right time and opened up a new path for me. I’m excited to make the transition to something more meaningful. ✨
I love this post it gives me so much hope! My burnout has not been to do with eprk, it has been to do with being a single parent to a high needs child without adequate community around me. Some of mu burnout and now chronic illness is probably due to not working! And the lack of purpose, passion and connection that brings. I cannot wait to listen to your podcast it sounds brilliant. I would love to be a burnout rebel with you all x
Yes Chloe! Burnout comes in so many forms, thank you for sharing the story of yours. My favourite phrase is ‘hope is the conduit of miracles’ so let’s bring all the hope! So glad you are here. Much love x
I’m so grateful that you popped up in my Notes feed today as I landed & made my way up my anonymous hotel in a big bustling city that is literally on the other side of the world.
This is a mark in the sand if you like, & it would seem Burnout Rebel sits perfectly 🧡
Thank you Anna for shining a starry stream on this & other important life affirming topics. The world needs this 🙏🏻
Thank you so much Tiffany. This is what I hope to do. There are so many of us out there in the edge of something and I think we all need cheerleaders to get us over the line. I’m very excited for you, get settled in and journal journal journal. This is a great time for you! 🎉🎉🎉 xx
"I had to fight for a long time with the idea that ‘slow living’ was not ‘lazy living’." Yesss! So excited to read this piece and for your future work x
Thank you so much Rebecca, so many of us here are the same. It makes me feel so excited that we’re all doing this together!x
Wow! Love the energy of this ⚡️I actually wrote a book on burnout a few years back (Burnt Out - the exhausted person's guide to thriving in a fast paced world) because I was fed up of seeing more and more of my clients AND friends burning out and the growing attitude of 'this is just how it is'. I had seen my dad go through a massive burnout as a kid and then surprise surprise went on to repeat a lot of his workaholic tendencies and was caught in a cycle of mini-burnouts for years until I finally decided enough was enough. Would love to talk to you about my own journey and what I learnt in the process of interviewing lots of people for the book. And very much here for the burnout rebellion!
Absolutely. This sounds amazing Selina! Have you seen my Google form link? 100% we should chat would love to! Xx
Oh and by the way, I've been producing my own podcasts for about 10 years so can definitely give you some tips with that too. I think you said you were looking for help on that front x
It’s like we were meant to find one another ✨✨✨ I have a busy week this week (moving house eek…) but I’ll drop you a message at the beginning of next week, I hope that’s ok?xx
I feel that too! 🤩 and yes, no rush on my side x
Filling it in right now! :)
Wonderful post, Anna! I am at the stage now where I am burnt out and completely re-evaluating my life priorities. We only get one shot at this so do I want to spend it feeling exhausted, strung out, constantly fighting to find the energy to live a life that is mis-aligned with my values? No. Do I want to cherish every sunset, embrace each season with all its beauty and ritual, wake up excited about each and every day? Most definitely.
This is a good place to be, not burnt out but reevaluating your priorities. It’s all about you now, and in so excited that you’re on this path. You say it so well. And remind why we are all doing this. Thank you Victoria ❤️🙏🏼
‘My own dance with the flames’. Sublime 💕
Thank you Emma ❤️
Good that you're focusing on this very serious health threat Anna. 👏 This is what I have learned about burnout:
https://bairdbrightman.substack.com/p/failure-case-study-1
Thank you Baird. I absolutely loved reading your article. It’s interesting how when people experience burnout companies will ask the individual what it is they can do internally as opposed to looking at the external factors they may have created. The model you present is so intriguing, and I hope companies consider an approach more like this one if they wish to support their staff. Thank you for sharing it!