ARE YOU SHOWING SIGNS OF BURNOUT?

“Burnout is a bone-tired, soul-tired, heart-tired kind of exhaustion.” – J. Pennebaker

We often think we’ll notice when stress becomes too much. But burnout can creep in quietly—so gradually that we don’t realise how exhausted we are until we hit a wall.

At first, it might just be a sense of dread on Sunday nights. Or feeling flat, even after a full night’s sleep. You find yourself more irritable, less focused, and wondering why you can’t get as much done as you used to. Hobbies no longer bring joy, and even the smallest requests feel like too much. For some, it shows up in the body—falling ill more often, sudden weight changes, constant fatigue.

These signs are easy to brush off. “I’m just tired.” “It’s a busy time.” But when the busy time never ends, and the tiredness becomes a way of life, it’s time to stop and listen.

ESPECIALLY IN SCHOOLS

If you work in education, this might sound all too familiar. Long hours, high expectations, and emotional labour can quietly become your normal. And when stress is constant, it’s easy to forget what it feels like to be well-rested and mentally clear.

The danger is normalising burnout—pushing through until there's nothing left. Like the lobster in the slowly heating pot, you don’t notice how hot the water has become until it’s too late.

We need to change that. For ourselves and each other.

FINDING YOUR WAY BACK

Burnout isn’t a sign that you’re weak—it’s a sign that you’ve been strong for too long without enough support. You can’t always change what’s around you, but you can begin to shift how you respond.

That might mean taking a real break, not just scrolling on your phone for five minutes between meetings. It might mean saying no when your plate is full, or yes to help when it’s offered. It might look like leaving work on time, going for a walk, or reconnecting with something that makes you feel like you again.

The most powerful thing you can do is to listen. Really listen—to your body, your mind, your emotions. They’re not inconveniences. They’re signals.

And if those signals are getting louder, know this: you don’t have to manage it all on your own. Whether it’s a trusted colleague, a friend, or a professional coach or counsellor—talking is powerful. It helps us make sense of what we’re carrying. It reminds us that we’re not alone.

ONE LAST THOUGHT

Burnout is not your fault.
And recovery isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity.

If you're feeling stretched thin, unplug for a moment. Breathe. Reach out. You’re not weak—you’re wise enough to recognise when something needs to change.

As Anne Lamott reminds us:

“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes… including you.”