I’m Still Recovering From Burnout. Here’s What I’m Learning

I want to talk about burnout. Because it’s not just a buzzword, and it’s not just “feeling tired.” It’s a state of chronic physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion that can leave you feeling cynical, like a failure, and completely hollowed out.

It’s the invisible weight that grinds you down. And while it’s so important to remember that we are worth more than our productivity, burnout can hit any of us, at any time, even in jobs we love.

I know this first-hand. Both myself and another team member have suffered from burnout, and I think it’s fair to say we’re both still recovering. For me, it’s made writing incredibly difficult and seems to have hammered my immune system. For my team member, it became so hard that she’s had to step away for a bit.

It’s a beast. And the first step to fighting it is learning to see it.

What Does Burnout Actually Feel Like?

Burnout isn’t a sudden crash; it’s a gradual erosion. It’s the slow leak you don’t notice until the tyre is flat. Recognizing the signs is the first, crucial step. For me, it felt like:

1. That ‘Running on Empty’ Feeling: A bone-deep exhaustion that sleep doesn’t fix. You wake up feeling just as drained as when you went to bed.
2. The ‘I Don’t Care Anymore’ Vibe (Cynicism): That feeling of detachment from your work, your hobbies, or even people you love. Things that used to bring you joy just feel… grey.
3. Feeling Like You’re Failing (Even When You’re Trying): A creeping sense of ineffectiveness. You feel like nothing you do matters, or that you’re just not good enough, no matter how hard you work.
4. Your Body Waves the White Flag: This can show up as chronic headaches, an upset stomach, getting every cold that goes around, or your sleep going completely haywire (either not being able to sleep or sleeping all the time).
5. Brain Fog and a Short Fuse: Finding it hard to concentrate? Forgetting things? Snapping at small inconveniences? That’s your brain and body telling you they have no reserves left.

If you’re ticking off more than a couple of these, it’s not a sign of weakness. It’s a sign that you need to take a step back and be gentle with yourself. It’s a sign to reassess, and it’s definitely a sign to go talk to your healthcare provider. You may be able to head off a complete collapse, and that is a massive win.

Why Is This Happening to Everyone?

It’s not just you, and it’s not a personal failing. We’re in a perfect storm for burnout. The lines between work and home have all but vanished. We live in an “always on” culture, often with excessive workloads and a side of perfectionism. Add in a lack of real community and a world that feels increasingly heavy, and it’s no wonder we’re all running on fumes.

Breaking the Cycle: How to Start Recovering

Combating burnout isn’t a quick fix; it’s a slow, kind process of coming back to yourself. First, you have to acknowledge you’re either heading for it or are already there. That’s the hardest step.

From there, here are some strategies that are helping me:

• 1. Carve Out Time to ‘Refill the Tank’ (Seriously): This isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. Put time in your calendar for things that replenish you (hobbies, a walk, mindfulness, or just staring at a wall). Treat that appointment with the same importance as a work meeting.
• 2. Get Good at Saying “No”: This one is so hard, but so vital. You can’t pour from an empty cup. Setting boundaries—like not checking work emails after 6 pm or saying “no” to a social event you don’t have the energy for—isn’t selfish. It’s self-preservation.
• 3. Protect Your Sleep (Fiercely): Establish a regular sleep schedule, even on weekends. Create a routine that signals to your brain it’s time to power down. For me, that means no screens for an hour before bed.
• 4. Find Your ‘Brake’ Pedal: Find a practice that helps you manage stress in the moment. This could be meditation, the ‘physiological sigh’ we’ve talked about, or a 5-minute yoga break.
• 5. Don’t Go It Alone: This is the most important one. Talk to a friend, a family member, or a therapist. Sharing how you feel, and hearing “me too,” can lift an incredible weight.
• 6. Start a Digital Curfew: Reduce your screen time, especially before bed. (We’ll be writing a full article about a digital detox later this month, so watch this space!)
• 7. Rediscover ‘Pointless’ Joy: Re-engage with things you do just because you like them, not because you’re good at them or they’re productive. For me, that’s been gaming or re-reading an old favourite book.

Burnout recovery isn’t a straight line. It’s messy, and it has good days and bad days. The goal isn’t to get back to who you were before. It’s about building a new, more sustainable, and kinder way of being.

Burnout and recovery are a personal journey. What’s one small thing that helps you “refill the tank” when you’re feeling drained? Share it in the comments below—your idea might be exactly what someone else needs to hear today.

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All advice and information offered on this site is offered as is, and you should discuss any treatments you undertake with your GP or other healthcare provider. Unless otherwise identified, our experiences are shared in good faith, but are anecdotal and do not constitue medical advice, but instead, a starting point for your own healing journey.
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