Burnout: When Passion Turns to Ash
For years, I was running at full speed. A job in marketing, constant projects, events, kids, divorce, shared custody, a mortgage. Every day packed with tasks, every evening feeling like I hadn’t done enough. And then one day, everything exploded. After years of pushing through, I wasn’t just facing financial trouble—I had a bigger problem. My own mind had betrayed me.
When Work Is Everything—Until It Breaks You
"Just one more project! One more meeting! I need to get this done!" Sound familiar? For the longest time, I believed that as long as I kept up with everything, nothing could go wrong. Slowing down wasn’t an option. Only work, commitments, and responsibilities. And even when I was exhausted, I told myself this was just how life had to be. That I had to keep pushing. That rest was a weakness.
But then, one day, everything stopped. I woke up feeling like I weighed a ton. My head was full of thoughts, but I had no energy to act on them. I sat down at my computer, but I couldn’t type a single word. My fingers hovered over the keyboard, yet my thoughts disappeared into a fog. It was as if someone had switched off my brain.
And that’s when I realized.
This wasn’t just exhaustion. This was burnout.
When Your Body Shuts Down Because It Can’t Go On
There were days when I just lay there, staring at the ceiling. The work that once excited me now felt like meaningless drudgery. I couldn’t move, and even the smallest tasks drained me. Writing a simple email felt impossible. Then, the financial problems hit. Suddenly, my entire world was collapsing. The confidence that I’d always figure things out was gone. I was at rock bottom, lost. I started searching for answers, trying to find something that would reignite my motivation. But how do you find inspiration when you don’t even know where to look?
When the Right People Show Up at the Right Time
As life often does, it threw me a lifeline just when I needed it most.
I ran into an old friend. We hadn’t seen each other in years, and suddenly, we were face-to-face. "How are you?" he asked. And for the first time in a long while, I decided not to lie.
"Not great. I’m looking for a job." We started talking.
"Come work with me," he said. "I have an online editorial project. I need people who can write—people I can trust. You might enjoy it."
It sounds simple, but for me, it was a turning point. Suddenly, I had a chance to start fresh. To do something I loved—but differently this time. Without chasing results at the cost of my health. I began working on new projects, but this time, I set boundaries. I protected my time, my energy. I allowed myself to rest. I stopped feeling like I had to do everything alone. And slowly, I found my way back.
What I’ve Learned—But Sometimes Still Forget
Today, I know how thin the line is between passion and burnout. I’ve learned a few things that help me stay balanced:
- I say NO when I need to. Work never truly ends, but I could—and that’s not worth it.
- I prioritize rest. I used to see it as a luxury; now I know it’s a necessity.
- I don’t take setbacks as personal failures. If something isn’t working, it doesn’t mean I have failed. It just means I’m human.
- I choose the people I work with. Balance is impossible in a toxic environment.
- I let go of perfectionism. I no longer chase flawless results. I do my best—and that’s enough.
But honestly? It’s not always easy.
Burnout doesn’t just disappear overnight. There are still days when it’s tough, when I feel like I’m slipping back into old patterns. But now, I know how to handle it. I no longer pretend I’m fine when I’m not. I’m honest when I’m struggling. I don’t apologize for bad days.
And sometimes, I’m blunt and brutally honest—because I’ve learned that faking it doesn’t work.
Sometimes, You Have to Fall to Rise Again
Burnout was one of the hardest things I’ve ever experienced. But it also taught me something valuable: My worth isn’t tied to my productivity. I don’t have to be perfect. And most importantly—nothing is more important than my health.
Maybe you’re feeling the same way I did back then. Maybe you’re exhausted, drained, unsure of your next step. I want you to know one thing:
You’re not alone!
Whether you’re at the beginning of this journey or have already hit rock bottom, there is always a way back. We just have to allow ourselves to slow down. And give ourselves a chance to start again.
Remember, you are more than just your work. Your life has value beyond endless productivity.
A Simple Trick That Helps Me: The "Restart" Breathing Technique
"I allow myself to rest. My worth is not tied to my performance. I am safe."
How to do it:
- While breathing, silently repeat the affirmation: "I allow myself to rest. My worth is not tied to my performance. I am safe."
- Inhale deeply through your nose for 4 seconds.
- Hold your breath for 4 seconds.
- Exhale slowly through your mouth for 6 seconds.
- Repeat 5 times.
A Woman Who Writes About Life As It Really Is
Antonie is a woman who knows the power of human stories and isn’t afraid to write about them. She has gone through burnout, loneliness, and the search for a balance between caring for others and herself. She is a mother who shares custody of her children, a partner, a friend, and a woman who sometimes doesn’t know what comes next. But it is this authenticity that gives her the courage to address topics that others often hide behind smiles. She herself says that writing is her way of naming things aloud and perhaps helping others feel less alone. In Antonie’s writings, you will find honesty, perspective, and motivation that you can rise again, even from rock bottom. She believes in the power of friendship, love, and simple rituals that help manage everyday reality.
