Rest Isn’t Fixing It? 10 Signs You’re Dealing With Burnout
Burnout Therapy for Women in Fort Wayne, IN
Rest doesn’t make much of a dent in the growing exhaustion you’re experiencing inside.
You might try to sleep more, eat better, take an extra day off work, or maybe even schedule a staycation over the weekend – but the exhaustion doesn’t abate.
You’re starting to feel less like yourself.
More numb.
But you’re not exactly sure why.
Now you’re finding yourself feeling drained before the day even starts. Small tasks have begun to feel overwhelming. And there’s this growing heaviness that seems to follow you like a shadow wherever you go.
Yet you feel guilty anytime you try to rest or take a break.
If this sounds familiar, you may be dealing with more than just fatigue.
Burnout is often mistaken for ordinary tiredness, especially by women who are used to pushing through no matter how they might feel.
Here are ten indicators of burnout—and why therapy could be a valuable next step if these signs resonate with you.
10 Signs It’s Burnout
1.) You dread things you used to handle with ease
Work, social plans, and everyday obligations begin to feel more draining and harder to face. Replying to emails, grocery shopping, or making your own meals has begun to feel far more tedious than it used to. Even simple decisions seem to suck the life out of you. You frequently feel more anxious and overwhelmed.
2.) You feel emotionally drained and detached
Numbness, sadness, and a growing sense of emptiness follows you around throughout the day. It’s hard to feel much of anything. It’s harder to talk with your loved ones. Harder to connect with your own self and needs. The things you used to enjoy don’t bring as much joy or fulfillment as they used to.
3.) You’re more irritable or on edge than usual
You feel frustrated, impatient, or more overwhelmed quicker than you used to. Sometimes followed by a sense of guilt or shame afterwards.
4.) You feel resentful towards things you care about, value, or preoccupy your time with
Things that once felt meaningful now feel like a source of tension. There’s a quiet frustration and resentment building inside of you. You might find yourself thinking, “Why am I the one whose always tasked with doing this?” or feeling annoyed by responsibilities you used to take pride in.
5.) You feel like you’re running on autopilot
You feel adrift and unable to ground yourself. You get through the day but don’t feel very in touch with yourself, your body, or your own emotions. You may also feel disconnected and emotionally distant from your loved ones. It’s as though you’re not really a part of anything but the checklists you accomplish each day.
6.) You frequently tell yourself to “keep pushing through” – but it’s not helping anymore
You’re feeling confused about why the exhaustion won’t let up. You’ve always been able to handle other challenges and seasons of stress before. Somehow this one feels different. You’re not sure why — but it just is. And no matter how much you accomplish and continue pushing through, your body and mind aren’t able to keep up anymore. You’re running on empty.
7.) Your body is signaling that something’s off
You’re experiencing chronic headaches. Your neck, shoulders, and hips feel persistently tight. There might be bizarre aches and pains showing up in areas of your body that don’t usually feel sore.
This might even manifest as strange nausea that you experience in the middle of the night or early morning hours. You have more trouble sleeping and struggle to get around in the morning.
And strangely enough, you sometimes have a feeling of being wired but exhausted all at the same time – because your body is having a hard time slowing down. Stuck in constant survival mode.
8.) You feel guilty for resting
You have a loud inner critic shouting that you always need to be doing more. Resting feels like “wasting time” or “wrong”. You feel like you’re failing others if you take on less responsibilities or consider taking more time for yourself and your own interests.
9.) You’re zoning out more
You’re struggling to focus. You’re more forgetful than usual. This can look like rereading the same thing over and over because it’s hard to be present and fully process the content.
10.) Relationships feel “one-sided” or “draining”
Most of your relationships are non-reciprocal and don’t feel mutually supportive, joyful, or fulfilling. You frequently leave these interactions feeling emotionally drained, disappointed, or feeling unseen.
How Therapy Can Help You Recover From Burnout and Feel Like Yourself Again
Burnout can start to make life feel like it’s all grayscale — devoid of the color which once brightened your daily routine.
There are so many demands placed upon your person, and so little energy left to pour back into yourself.
Your day-to-day existence feels hopeless, dreary, and far less meaningful.
You may feel so overwhelmed by everything you’re responsible for, that you’re frequently fantasizing about running away from it all. It’s a private thought you fancy sometimes. It may feel like the only solution.
The idea of actually making any changes feels impossible.
You’re so tired.
So overbooked.
Adding one more thing to the list feels like your back might break beneath the weight of it all.
A lot of women I’ve worked with at Beyond the Labyrinth Counseling come into my Fort Wayne office expressing similar struggles. So if this sounds like you, please know that you’re not alone! Change and healing are possible!
My passion at Beyond the Labyrinth Counseling is helping women like you feel more relaxed, grounded, attuned, and balanced within their lives again.
Burnout Therapy can help you …
Gain relief from persistent mental chatter
Reconnect with what makes you feel alive again
Rest and recharge without feeling guilt or shame
Return to curiosity, playfulness, and balance
Embody a life that’s fully aligned with your values and dreams
Overthink less and trust yourself more
Nurture life-giving relationships that are reciprocal, meaningful, and deeply fulfilling