Always feeling tired no matter how much coffee you chug? Let’s get into why high achievers push through the exhaustion and often miss the signs of burnout. Discover the sneaky ways burnout creeps in, how stress messes with your brain, and most importantly, how to actually recover your energy.
We’re talking about setting real boundaries, making lasting changes, and not waiting until you’re totally drained. It’s time to take burnout seriously and take control of your energy.
One day, you’re sharp, focused, and on top of everything. The next, you’re staring at your inbox like it’s written in a foreign language.
Not because you suddenly forgot how to do your job, but because your brain refuses to function the way it used to.
Burnout doesn’t announce itself. It doesn’t give you a warning or ask permission to wreck your energy, focus, and patience.
It just shows up.
And if you don’t catch it early, it digs in.
The Slow Burn of Depletion
At first, you don’t even realize it’s happening.
You’re a little more tired, but that’s normal, right? You lose track of details, but nothing major. You tell yourself you just need a good night’s sleep, maybe a long weekend.
But then, nothing helps.
You wake up just as exhausted as when you went to bed. You make careless mistakes that you know you’re better than. You start dreading tasks that used to come naturally.
And your brain starts convincing you that this is just how life is now.
That your lack of focus is a personal failing. That your exhaustion means you need to try harder. That pushing through is the only option.
It’s not.
Why You Don’t See It Until It’s Too Late
Your brain is working against you on this one.
Chronic stress rewires how you process fatigue. It dulls your ability to recognize how depleted you really are, making it easy to keep running on empty until something forces you to stop.
Ever gotten sick the second you finally took time off? Ever had a total emotional shutdown after months of “pushing through”? Ever stared at your screen, unable to do even the simplest task?
That’s not a fluke. That’s burnout cashing in on all the ignored warning signs.
Rest Won’t Fix It, But Recovery Will
The first thing most people do when they realize they’re burned out?
They take a break.
And for a little while, it kind of helps. But then they go right back to the same habits, the same pace, the same lack of boundaries… until they crash all over again.
Because rest isn’t enough. You need the right kind of recovery.
- If your brain feels foggy, you need cognitive rest—less screen time, fewer decisions, more quiet.
- If you’re emotionally drained, you need emotional rest—connection, creativity, something that makes you feel human again.
- If your body is tense and wired, you need nervous system rest—deep breathing, movement that releases instead of depletes.
Recovery isn’t just about stopping. It’s about restoring.
Burnout Is a Signal
If you’ve been reading this thinking, well, shit, this is me—that’s not a bad thing.
Because the first step in fixing burnout is recognizing it.
But the real question is: What are you going to do about it?
Because pushing through isn’t the answer. Waiting for things to “calm down” isn’t the answer.
Burnout doesn’t fix itself. But the good news? You can fix it. And that starts with one small change.
What’s yours going to be?
Got thoughts or questions from this week’s episode? Drop them in the comments. I’d love to hear from you! 🫶
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00:00 Understanding Energy and Exhaustion
01:10 Recognizing the Signs of Burnout
01:37 The Gradual Onset of Burnout
03:39 The Science Behind Burnout
04:44 Emotional and Physical Symptoms
06:15 Preventing and Addressing Burnout
09:48 Effective Recovery Strategies
12:32 Setting Boundaries and Making Changes
14:56 Taking Action to Restore Energy
16:50 Final Thoughts and Call to Action
I’m Tara Kermiet, a leadership coach specializing in burnout prevention and work-life integration. I know what it’s like to feel like you’re holding it all together with duct tape and coffee. But success doesn’t have to mean running yourself ragged. I help high achievers find work-life balance and shine as badass leaders.
👉 Take my quick quiz to find out where you stand on the burnout spectrum, plus get tailored tips to help you turn things around before it’s too late. Visit: https://tarakermiet.com/free-resources/
😍 If we’re not friends yet on social media, why the heck not? Follow me on Instagram (@TaraKermiet) and/or LinkedIn (@TaraKermiet) so we can stay connected!
🎤 Got a question, a topic you want me to cover, or just want to share your thoughts? I’d love to hear from you! Send me a DM or email.
Stay balanced, stay badass, and make good choices!
Disclaimer: My content is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. For serious concerns, please consult a qualified provider.
[…] Episode #20: Running on Empty: Recognizing When Your Energy Reserves Are Dangerously Low […]