Burnout Is Trying to Tell You Something
Burnout isn’t just about being tired. It’s not something a weekend off or a new morning routine can fix. Burnout is your mind and body waving a white flag—an urgent signal that something hasn’t been working for a while.
What Is Burnout, Really?
At its core, burnout is a state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion caused by prolonged, unrelenting stress—especially when your efforts feel unsupported or lack meaning. It’s that sense of running on fumes, paired with cynicism, disconnection, and depletion.
Burnout isn’t a personal failure. It’s not a problem with your resilience or time management. It’s the predictable outcome of pushing too hard for too long without enough space, support, or restoration. If that’s where you are right now, there’s a good reason.
Your Body Knows First
Burnout often shows up in the body before the mind can name it. Maybe you’ve noticed:
Muscle tension that never really lets go
Headaches, gut issues, or clenched jaws
Restless sleep or vivid, unsettling dreams
Racing thoughts or a vague, chronic sense of dread
Yes, your mood might shift—toward irritability, flatness, or emotional distance—but it’s your nervous system that usually sounds the alarm first. When we don’t listen, we lose connection—not just with others, but with ourselves. That disconnection is often the hardest part to describe.
Burnout Isn’t a Problem to Fix—It’s a Call to Reconnect
You don’t need another checklist of coping strategies. Burnout doesn’t need more productivity hacks—it needs space. Clarity. Support. Most of all, it needs your attention. Not so you can silence the symptoms, but so you can finally hear what your system has been trying to say.
Maybe that means rethinking the roles you’ve taken on. Maybe it means reshaping your boundaries or beginning to treat yourself like someone who matters. You don’t have to burn it all down. But you do deserve a way out of survival mode.
Compassion Isn’t a Luxury—It’s a Lifeline
If burnout has been your default for a while, self-judgment probably has, too:
Why can’t I handle this?
Other people seem to manage just fine.
That judgment only adds weight to what you’re already carrying. Burnout calls for something radically different: compassion. Not the fluffy kind, but the grounded, honest kind that says:
This is too much.
I’m not weak—I’m human.
That’s where healing begins.
Let’s Be Honest: You’re Not Reading This by Accident
If you’ve read this far, something in you already knows it’s time to shift. Maybe you’re the strong one. The reliable one. The one who powers through even when you’re falling apart. And maybe even now, part of you feels guilty for struggling.
But you don’t have to hit bottom to ask for support. You don’t have to earn your way into therapy by breaking down. You can choose to take up space, even now.
Therapy for Burnout in California and Hawai‘i
I’m Dr. Erin McKnew, a licensed psychologist in California and Hawai‘i. I work with thoughtful, capable adults who feel like they’ve quietly hit a wall. If you’re feeling emotionally exhausted, disconnected, or stretched too thin for too long, you’re not broken—you’re burned out. And that can change.
Therapy for burnout isn’t about quick fixes. It’s about understanding how you got here, reconnecting with yourself, and creating space for something more sustainable. I bring a grounded, compassionate, and collaborative approach—and yes, a little humor helps too.
📍 Click here to schedule a consultation
You’re allowed to want more than just getting through the day. Let’s figure it out together.
Disclaimer: This blog is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute psychological advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Reading this blog does not establish a therapeutic relationship. If you are experiencing distress or have concerns about your mental health, please consult a licensed psychologist or other qualified mental health professional in your area.