Burnout is tough. But so are you.
These days, burnout is everywhere—on LinkedIn posts, in thought leadership videos, and in casual conversations among professionals. It’s become a trend. But for me, burnout wasn’t a concept. It was something I lived through once, nearly twice. And each time, it hit hard, not because of long hours or too many emails, but because of something deeper: the emotional load.
What do I mean by mental load? It’s the emotional weight of running a business, leading a team, and carrying the responsibility for things that don’t always go your way. When problems stretch out for months, when progress stalls, even the strongest people crack. I know—I’ve been there.
The first time was over 20 years ago. My team was struggling, and our business was stalling. I took on the blame for everything, even though in hindsight, much of it wasn’t my fault. But I couldn’t see that at the time. I lost interest, motivation, and energy. I stepped away from the business and took a job in a factory—manual work, clear tasks, no team, no leadership pressure. It gave me the space to recover. A full year passed before I could function normally again, and two more before I truly felt like myself.
The second time was more recent—just two years ago. Mid-season, my back office collapsed due to staff turnover. Suddenly, every responsibility fell on me. Once again, the emotional weight was unbearable. The only way to survive was to detach—to remind myself it wasn’t personal, and to let go of trying to control everything.
I made it through. And if you’re heading toward burnout, or already there, I want you to know that recovery is possible—but avoidance is better.
Here’s what I’ve learned:
- Recognize the signs early. If everything starts feeling heavier than it should, take it seriously.
- Don’t carry it all. Delegate where you can. Ask for help.
- Step back emotionally. Your business needs you, but it also needs you healthy.
- Spend time with family. Get a hobby. Go outside.
- And above all, understand that things will change. It won’t always feel this way.
Burnout is tough. But so are you.