Recovering from burnout has been one of the hardest—and most transformative—journeys of my life. At its worst, burnout felt like a weight I couldn’t lift, an endless fog that dulled everything I once loved about my work and life. Looking back, the first challenge was even realizing that I was burned out in the first place. Once I recognized it, the road to recovery wasn’t linear. It was filled with small victories, missteps, and a lot of learning along the way.
I’m by no means perfect, but I’m in a much better place than I was. My experience taught me that recovering from burnout is deeply personal, and no one-size-fits-all solution exists. However, there are five key steps that were essential to my journey—and they may surprise you.
Step 1: Becoming Aware of Myself
Everyone told me to meditate, practice mindfulness, and "calm my mind." I’d roll my eyes at the suggestion, convinced that slowing down my thoughts was impossible. But over time, I learned that mindfulness wasn’t about sitting cross-legged in perfect silence—it was about awareness.
I had to become aware of what burnout looked and felt like in my body and mind. For me, it showed up as tension I carried in my shoulders, irritability with loved ones and colleagues, and feelings of exhaustion that no amount of sleep could fix.
Being aware also meant noticing what helped me feel better. I found this awareness in unexpected places. During my drives or workouts, I could reflect on how I was feeling, but as a busy mom, the best place for me to be aware was in the shower. This was the rare time I could be alone and fully take stock of my emotions and physical state. It became my sanctuary for self-check-ins and mindfulness.
Step 2: Reassessing My Priorities
For years, I followed a path I thought was preordained: work hard, achieve, repeat. Any deviation from that path—whether due to setbacks or life’s curveballs—felt like failure. It would knock me down, leaving me questioning everything.
But then, I came to a liberating realization: life isn’t a straight line. It’s a winding road, and the detours often hold the most valuable lessons. I stopped chasing what I thought I should prioritize and started asking myself what truly mattered.
In my effort to set priorities, I realized this required deep reflection. I created a personal mission statement for my life and identified the priorities that aligned with it. Having these priorities front and center helped me make clearer decisions. Instead of being overwhelmed by every choice, I could ask: Does this align with my priorities? This clarity became a guiding light during challenging times.
Step 3: Embracing Life’s Seasons
Burnout often stems from the pressure to do everything well, all the time. But life has seasons. Just as we adjust to the weather, we must adapt to the seasons of our lives.
When my children were small and my mother was ill, I needed to focus on my family. At other times, I’ve been able to lean into my career. Each season required something different of me, and that’s okay.
Accepting this truth was freeing. It allowed me to give myself grace during challenging seasons and permission to pursue my ambitions in others. It also allowed me to acknowledge that my goals may be different than what I had previously hoped for.
Step 4: Taking Stock of My Calendar
I’ve always been efficient with my time. But efficiency doesn’t equal well-being. My calendar was packed with tasks and responsibilities, yet I rarely scheduled time to rest. The result? I’d push through long stretches of overwork only to get sick during vacations because my body finally let down its guard.
Now, I intentionally block time for rest and recovery. Sometimes it’s 30 minutes to read a book or crochet. Other times, it’s a full day to recharge. Rest isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. Building it into my schedule has been transformative.
I also use my calendar to block time for my priorities and for focused work. Blocking time for the things that matter most ensures they don’t get lost in the noise of my to-do list. Blocking time for focus work allows me to complete tasks more efficiently, creating space for everything else.
Step 5: Letting Go of Perfection
Perfectionism is a burnout accelerant. For years, I held myself to impossible standards, thinking that if I could just control every detail, I’d avoid failure. Spoiler alert: it didn’t work.
Letting go of perfection was one of the hardest but most freeing steps I took. It allowed me to:
Delegate tasks I didn’t need to do myself.
Set boundaries to protect my time and energy.
Practice self-compassion when things didn’t go as planned.
This mindset shift didn’t mean lowering my standards—it meant recognizing that good enough is often more than enough. It also opened the door for gratitude. Instead of focusing on what wasn’t perfect, I could appreciate what was.
The Journey Forward Using the 5 Most Important Steps
Recovering from burnout isn’t a one-and-done process. It’s an ongoing journey that requires intention, self-reflection, and a willingness to adapt. While these 5 important steps were pivotal for me, they’re just the beginning and require constant focus.
If you’re feeling burned out, know this: you don’t have to do it all at once. Start small. Start with awareness. The path may not be straight, but every step forward—no matter how imperfect—is a step toward reclaiming your joy and purpose.
If you’re ready to take control of your life and find more balance in your career, let’s talk! I’m here to support healthcare professionals like you in creating a life that reflects your values and priorities. Schedule a free discovery call today to see if personalized coaching can help you reclaim your time, purpose, and joy. Click here to book a call and start your journey toward a more fulfilling career.
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