Why Burnout Isn't Just A Buzzword


A Real Talk On Exhaustion, Self-Worth,  & Reclaiming Your Energy By Rezan Manan


Today we are having a real chat about what it feels like to run on empty tank, and how to get your spark back.

Let’s be real, burnout isn’t just feeling “a bit tired.” It’s that whole-body, whole-soul exhaustion that lingers even after a good night’s sleep. It’s when the work that used to light you up now feels like a brick on your chest. You’re dragging, not dreaming. Functioning, not thriving.

And guess what? You’re not alone. Seriously. Burnout creeps in on the busiest, brightest, most passionate of us.

So, What Is Burnout?

Burnout isn’t about being bad at coping. It’s what happens when your stress levels have been on cruise control for way too long, and your body and brain finally hit the brakes.

It’s the kind of tired that rest doesn’t fix. The kind of detachment that makes everything feel like “meh.” And the worst part? You start to wonder if it’s you.

Spoiler: it’s not. It’s the environment, the pressure, the pace, and yeah, maybe the superhero expectations you’ve placed on yourself too.

“Burnout is what happens when you try to avoid being human for too long.” - Michael Gungor


Why Burnout Happens? (Even When You’re Good at What You Do)

Here’s the twist: burnout doesn’t only hit when things are bad. It often shows up when you care a lot, say yes too often, and keep pushing because “you’ve got this.” Until you don’t.

Here are some usual suspects:

  • Doing too much: Saying yes to everything and juggling too many balls.

  • No control: Feeling like things are happening to you, not with you.

  • Little to no recognition: You give your all, and it feels like no one sees it.

  • Messy vibes at work: Conflict, loneliness, or that icky tension.

  • Unfairness: Being passed over, overlooked, or underestimated.

  • Value clash: Your gut says “this isn’t right,” but you stay anyway.

  • Blurry boundaries: Your work life starts eating up your actual life.

And for my fellow overachievers and go-getters? Add perfectionism, pressure, and a sprinkle of “I can handle it”, and suddenly you’re deep in the burnout zone.


Signs You Might Be Running on Empty Tank

Burnout doesn’t always knock on the door, it just kind of lets itself in.

  • You’re exhausted even after a solid 8 hours.

  • Things you used to love? Blah.

  • You’re zoning out, snapping more, or stuck in procrastination land.

  • Your body’s acting out with weird headaches or tummy issues.

  • You’re riding the caffeine train... or the wine wave... just to cope

It sneaks up quietly. But if you tune in, you’ll catch the whispers before they become screams.


When Burnout Really Hits, Here’s What It Can Do

Let’s not pretend it’s just a “bad week.” Left unchecked, burnout can start to take a toll in big ways:

  • Physically: Sleepless nights, stress-related illnesses, and general blah-ness

  • Mentally: Anxiety, numbness, and that dreaded feeling of “what’s the point?

  • Work-wise: Slower pace, lost mojo, checking out mentally.

  • Personally: Mood swings, less patience, and feeling way too drained for the people you love.

This isn’t meant to scare you. It’s here so you can catch it early, before it turns into a full-on collapse.


What Needs to Shift: Mindset Over Band-Aids

Let’s bust a myth real quick: burnout isn’t solved with a spa day or a weekend off (though hey, those help). True recovery is about shifting how we think:

  • Self-care ≠ selfish. It’s how you keep showing up as your best self.

  • Boundaries = freedom. Saying no gives your yes more power.

  • You are so much more than your to-do list. Productivity is not your personality.

Healing is about changing the script, from “keep going” to “what do I need right now?”


Burnout Self-Check: How Close Are You to the Edge?

Time to pause and check in with yourself.

Before we go any further, let’s flip the spotlight inward. I’ve created a quick, reflective burnout quiz to help you get a clearer sense of where you stand right now, not where you think you are, but where you actually are. No sugar-coating, no dramatics. Just a raw look at your current energy, stress levels, and emotional bandwidth.

Take The Quiz & Find Out

It’ll take 5 minutes, but what it reveals might be exactly what you’ve been avoiding. Once you’re done, come back here. The rest of this article is packed with what to do next, real strategies to manage burnout, shift your mindset, and access resources that can help you feel like you again.

This is your reset moment. Don’t skip it.


10 Burnout-Busting Tips That Actually Work

Let’s keep it doable. Some things you can try today, and some that’ll build momentum over time.

Short-Term Energy Lifters

  1. Close the laptop. Yes, for real. Create a stopping point.

  2. Take a walk or a stretch break: Reboot your brain.

  3. Deep breaths or a quick meditation: A moment of stillness goes a long way.

  4. Vent, share, connect: Don’t keep it all bottled up.

  5. Move that body: Even a 10-minute dance party counts.

“Take rest. A field that has rested gives a bountiful crop.” - Ovid

Long-Term Reset Moves

  1. Do fun stuff for no reason: Paint, garden, sing badly, whatever brings joy.

  2. Learn something new (that isn’t for work): Curiosity is energizing.

  3. Get regular checkups: Your body tells you what’s up if you listen.

  4. Choose your people wisely: Uplifting, not draining.

  5. Reflect often: Ask yourself if the life you’re building actually feels good.


One Last Thing, My Friend

You’re not a robot. You’re a wildly capable, caring, brilliant human. And no, you don’t have to crash to prove how strong you are. Rest is not a reward, it’s a requirement.

If you’re feeling off, overwhelmed, or just not like yourself, it’s okay to pause. It’s okay to ask for help. And it’s more than okay to protect your peace.

You are allowed to reset. You are allowed to not be okay. And you are definitely allowed to build a life that feels good to wake up to.

"You Don't Want To Live To Work, You Want To Work To Live" - Dr. John Torres


Let’s Keep the Support Flowing

Here’s a bunch of resources that have helped others recharge and recover. Dive into whatever calls to you:

YouTube Gems

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Books to Cozy Up With


🤔 Where are you on the burnout spectrum right now? Did anything in this article hit close to home, or make you rethink how you're really doing? I'd love to hear what you're noticing, what you're shifting, or even what you're struggling with. Let’s make this a space for honest, human conversation.

📌 Know someone who’s running on fumes? Tag them. Burnout loves silence, let’s not let it win.

♻️ If this gave you a little clarity, relief, or even just a soft exhale, share it. Burnout thrives in silence, but it doesn’t stand a chance in the community.

✨ Got a topic you’d like me to unpack next, something real, messy, and worth digging into? I’m all ears.


Self-care is how you take your power back.” - Lalah Delia

Print this quote, frame it and keep it at your desk , its a little reminder to love yourself a little more every day


Burnout isn’t just a phase. It’s a signal. And you don’t have to wait until everything breaks to make a change. Start small. Start now. And if you need help figuring out what that looks like, I’m here.

Whether you’re ready to reset your habits, rewire your relationship with work, or reclaim your energy, I’d love to support you. You can learn more about me and explore my Business & Mindset Coaching.

Let’s build a version of success that doesn’t cost you you.

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