A lot of people who come to therapy tell me the same thing: “I’M EXHAUSTED.” They’ve tried sleeping more, drinking water, cutting back on caffeine, taking vitamins, exercising more, and yet, they still feel depleted. Usually, the problem isn’t physical at all, it’s emotional burnout.
Burnout happens when you’ve been in “survival mode” for too long. You’re handling work, family, responsibilities, expectations, and emotions without much space to rest or be honest about tired you really are. Over time, your mind and body start to shut down as a way to protect you.
So, what are some signs of burnout?
• Feeling numb or disconnected
• Getting irritated over small things
• Dreading work or social situations
• Feeling like you’re never doing enough
• Wanting to escape, not necessarily die, just disappear for a while
Burnout doesn’t mean you’re weak. It typically means you’ve been strong for too long without any support. In therapy, we don’t just talk about stress. We look at the patterns feeding your burnout and why you feel responsible for everything. Slowly over time, we will build a life that doesn’t require constant exhaustion.
If you’ve been telling yourself, “I shouldn’t feel this way,” then maybe it’s time to ask yourself this question: “What if my exhaustion actually makes sense?”
