Burnout, let’s talk about it. We are heavy into event season right now at the office and it’s easy to start feeling overwhelmed like we don’t have time for ourselves. Burnout doesn’t just hit people who hate their jobs- sometimes, it hits the most ambitious, driven, corporate girlies who love what they do. If you’re chasing goals, climbing ladders, and still feeling drained at the end of the day, this post is for you. Today, I’m giving you 7 ways to prevent burnout- without sacrificing your ambition.
Burnout. It’s a word I used to associate with people who hated their jobs or didn’t know how to manage their time. But now, at 30, leading a team in a fast-paced marketing role that I actually love, I know better.
But eventually, the constant comparison, to co-workers, to other women your age who seem to have it all figured out, starts to weigh on you. The never-ending to-do list, the lack of support, the expectation to show up 100% at work and still be “wellness girl” outside of it… it all adds up.
Burnout isn’t always obvious until it’s already taken root. And for ambitious women like us, the hardest part is admitting that even when you love what you do, you still need to protect your energy, because no career, no title, no achievement is worth losing sight of who you are and why you started.
Career Burnout Symptoms
Burnout symptoms in corporate women often show up subtly at first, then build over time. You might feel constantly tired, even after rest, or notice it’s harder to focus and stay motivated. Tasks that once excited you may now feel draining, and emotional exhaustion can set in- especially after meetings or long workdays. Common signs include irritability, anxiety, brain fog, and even physical symptoms like headaches or trouble sleeping. If you’re always “on” but never truly feel caught up, it could be more than stress- it might be burnout. Recognizing these early is key to making sustainable, healthy shifts.
How to Recover from Burnout While Still Working
- Keep your ‘WHY’ in front of you: With that…I think it’s fair to start number one with remembering why you started. What is your WHY? What is the purpose of what you’re doing every single day? Always keeping this in front of you is important.
- Be where your feet are. You don’t always have to be 10 steps ahead. sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is fully show up for where you are right now. Progress isn’t always about sprinting forward; it’s also about being present enough to recognize the growth already happening beneath the surface.
- Doing your best will look different every day: I like to think about becoming 1 percent better every day. Some days your best is crushing your to-do list. Other days it’s showing up. Both are enough.
- Gratitude doesn’t mean settling: you can be extremely grateful for where you are and still dream bigger!! 🙌🏻 Realizing that you’re allowed to want more, even while appreciating everything you’ve already built. Gratitude and ambition can exist in the same breath
- The grass isn’t greener, it’s just different grass. Ahhh..I think this is one of my favorites! (Typically) another title, a different team, another job will only change the view but it won’t fix the burnout unless you heal the pace. Slow down and tend to what’s already growing!
- Build micro rituals: Create your days to re-fill you: In a world that moves fast, it’s easy to forget how powerful the small things are. Creating intentional moments in your day, like a slow, unhurried morning routine can shift your entire mindset. For me, it might look like making coffee without rushing, reading my devotion, turn on a podcast and giving myself ten minutes to just be before the chaos begins. These rituals don’t have to be long or complicate, they just have to be yours. Tiny pockets of peace can make all the difference in how you carry your energy through the day.
- You don’t have to carry it all alone: Especially as a leader, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking you need to do everything yourself. But leadership isn’t about doing it all, it’s about trusting your team, delegating well, and creating space for others to step up. Empowering your team not only lightens your load, it strengthens the entire team.
Burnout doesn’t always look like falling apart – sometimes, it looks like high-functioning exhaustion behind a polished to-do list. As a corporate girly, you don’t have to choose between your ambition and your well-being. You can create a healthy work-life balance and THRIVE! By creating boundaries, building intentional rituals, and letting go of the pressure to do it all, you give yourself space to thrive- not just survive. You deserve a career you love and a life that feels good to live. Burnout isn’t a badge of honor, protecting your energy is the real power move.
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