Are you ready to finally start overcoming burnout and reclaim your spark?
You may have already tried following all the self care advice, but I hope to offer a new perspective on what it takes to truly recover from burnout.
If you’re anything like I was, you’ve probably tried every self-care tip under the sun—daily meditation, journaling, even squeezing in yoga classes whenever possible. Many people believe that doing all the right things guarantees recovery from burnout, but that mindset may be holding you back.
If you’re struggling with feeling disconnected, uninspired, or trapped in survival mode where every task (even the ones you used to love) feels like a chore, this is the place for you.
Always Remember to Look Beyond the Checklist
If you’ve been finding yourself meditating, journaling, or taking long walks only to feel the same level of exhaustion and disconnection, it’s time to examine your intentions for overcoming burnout.
Are these activities just another item on your to-do list, or are they a way to truly reconnect with yourself?
Before I hit my wall of complete burnout, I was meditating daily. I’d read all the studies and knew it was good for my mental health and well-being, so I made it a priority. But I was doing it wrong—not in technique, but in mindset.
Meditation had become a box to check. I’d squeeze it in during work breaks, sitting stiffly at my desk. And when I was done? I’d dive right back into my overwhelming workload.
I wasn’t present. I wasn’t benefiting. I was just surviving.
Sound familiar? The truth is, if your self-care routine feels like just another chore, it’s not self-care—it’s self-sabotage.
Hint: I have another post on Meditation over here.
My Routine for Sustainable Burnout Recovery
When I finally realized I needed more than a checklist to recover, everything shifted.
Here’s how I approached it:
1. Shift from Doing to Being
A pivotal shift at the start of my recovery came when I read The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle. The first time I picked it up, I couldn’t make it past the first few pages. At the time, I was operating under the belief that I am my thoughts, a belief Eckhart challenges early in the book. But at rock bottom, I was open to learning and adapting this perspective.
This shift allowed me to finally sit with myself. Just me, my thoughts, and space to process.
Before, I would constantly consume—always listening to something, always distracted—so I wouldn’t have to face my thoughts and feelings. But confronting my thoughts, feelings, and pain gave me the space to process and simply be. We are human beings, not human doings.
2. Rest is Productive
I had to unlearn the lie that rest is “lazy.” Hustle culture tries to sell us on squeezing productivity out of every second, but rest is what allows your brain to activate its Default Mode Network (DMN)—the part responsible for creativity and problem-solving.
You know those “aha!” moments in the shower? That’s your brain working when it finally has space. Rest isn’t selfish. It’s productive, restorative, and essential for your well-being.
3. Rediscover Joy
Burnout robs us of joy, plain and simple. Even hobbies can feel like another task. I had to actively reconnect with the things that made me happy. For me, that meant picking up an old hobby and allowing myself to do it just play—painting, gardening, and silly dance parties in my living room.
Joy doesn’t need a purpose; it just needs to exist.
You may have already spent time tweaking your routine, trying new approaches, or even adopting tips from experts, but I’m here to offer a new perspective.
If your routine isn’t serving you, don’t be afraid to shake things up. Routines are meant to support you, not stress you out.
Whatever helps you feel more like yourself is exactly what you need right now.
Some Advice from Eckhart Tolle
I like to draw inspiration from a variety of sources, and one of the most profound influences on my understanding of stress is Eckhart Tolle. As a spiritual teacher, his teachings on presence feel incredibly relevant to the burnout conversation. In his book The Power of Now, Tolle says:
“The Now, of course, also implies the here. Are you resisting your here and now? Some people would always rather be somewhere else. Their ‘here’ is never good enough. Through self-observation, find out if that is the case in your life. Wherever you are, be there totally. If you find here and now intolerable and it makes you unhappy, you have three options: remove yourself from the situation, change it, or accept it totally. If you want to take responsibility for your life, you must choose one of these three options, and you must choose now.”
Presence isn’t always easy—especially in the middle of burnout—but it’s the key to creating the space you need for true recovery.
Learning to be fully present, rather than resisting the moment.
You need resilience
Now, just because you currently don’t feel like you have the energy or clarity to push through burnout doesn’t mean you can’t recover and thrive. Burnout may feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t define your ability to reclaim your joy and purpose.
This does mean you need to take intentional steps—like prioritizing rest, reflecting on what’s really driving your stress, and finding small ways to rediscover joy—before you can feel fully recharged. But I believe in you and know you can navigate this process successfully.
Let’s be specific about how you can start recovering from burnout:
- Step 1: Reflect on Your Needs
Take time to identify what you truly need right now. Is it more rest? More boundaries? Clarity about your goals?
- Step 2: Commit to Restorative Practices
Incorporate activities that truly nourish your mind and body. Whether that’s mindful meditation, creative hobbies, or a walk in nature, lean into what feels right for you.
- Step 3: Build a Support System
Seek out a community or mentor who understands your journey and can offer guidance and encouragement along the way. I remember feeling like something is wrong with me or that others didn’t understand. Finding those people who understand exactly what you mean, means the world.
Because I know how important self reflection is, I put together this free (really free!) guide for you. Use it to gain more insight and explore your beliefs.
Click here to download 11 Journal Prompts for Self-Reflection
Wrapping it up!
Burnout recovery isn’t about quick fixes—it’s about intentional actions that create a sustainable foundation for balance and joy. Reflect on your needs, prioritize rest, and rediscover what makes your soul smile.
Any questions or thoughts? Drop me a comment below or DM me on Instagram.
You’ve got this.
Remember, you can download my self-reflection journal to help you gain more insights to your needs right here. ↴
Click here to download 11 Journal Prompts for Self-Reflection ←