Avoiding Burnout by Giving Attention to the Signs ⚠

Stress, overwhelm, exhaustion.

If you're breathing...you've experienced it. I have.

I'm thankful that I recognized the signs for what they were...after a bit. I was determined, because I knew that burnout was on the other side of it all. I couldn't ignore it. But it was hard!

There was SO much going on in my life. And most of that was really good. But the parts that were challenging...were VERY challenging.

Maybe you can relate.

One day you’re cruisin' right along...handling the work, showing up for your peeps, keeping the plates spinning… and then suddenly:

You feel unmotivated.
You can’t focus.
You’re doing all.the.things, but nothing feels meaningful.
Even simple responsibilities feel heavy.

Before you know it...if you're not careful...you drop a plate. Or three.

Why? Not because you failed. It's because you ignored those early signs of burnout. You may have "missed" opportunities to turn things around. You delayed taking actions in favor of being good to yourself.

And if you’re anything like I used to be...you’ve trained yourself to push through. Just get 'er done. I mean...if you don't...who will? Right?

But here’s the truth: pushing through is not always the same as moving forward.

In fact...rarely is that the case.

It’s just you DOing… louder.

There's a ton of people talking and teaching about burnout. You might think you know...it all. 😁

But if you know anything about me...as your Bridge Guide...I'm going to invite you to look at things through a different lens.

So...let’s talk about what burnout really is, how it typically happens, and what you can do right now to start shifting from DOing to BEing without burnout. Yes. Avoiding it, by giving attention to the signs. It's the best way to keep walking with clarity, peace, and JOY.

What Burnout Really Is (and What It Isn’t)

Burnout is not “just a bad day.”

It’s a chronic state of being out of sync with one or more aspects of your life, resulting in a loss of energy, enthusiasm, and ultimately...confidence.

Burnout happens when you experience emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress.

It often shows up when you feel overwhelmed, emotionally drained, and unable to meet constant demands over a period of time. It doesn't matter whether those demands are from your professional or your personal life. It can even come from the pressure you put on yourself. Yikes!

If that phrase, "out of sync" sounds or feels familiar...lean in. Burnout is often the result of being out of alignment for too long.

Burnout Is a Signal (Not a Life Sentence)

Consider burnout as your warning light.

Like...it's telling you something is probably coming...because something about the way you're living...isn’t working.

It’s a signal to pause and do some honest, heartfelt reflection...without beating yourself up. But let's be real...burnout comes before breakdown.

Consider asking yourself:

Where has my energy and enthusiasm gone?
What has happened to my purpose and passion for life?
Why have I put caring for myself on the back burner?
What am I continuing to carry that I (thought I) laid down a long time ago?

This is where the shift begins...from autopilot to awareness.

From surviving to orchestrating.

Because you were not created to run on empty, my friend. Just sayin'.

How Burnout Happens: The 5 Stages

Burnout doesn’t usually happen overnight.

It creeps in slowly while you’re handling responsibilities, meeting deadlines, and telling yourself, “I’ll rest after this next thing.”

Here are five common stages:

Stage 1 – Needing to Prove Yourself

Obsessively demonstrating your worth
An inability to “switch off”
Work becomes the only focus

Stage 2 – Neglect of Self Sets In

Erratic sleeping, disrupted eating, less connection with others
Dismissal of family, friends, and personal needs
Values get skewed; hobbies become “irrelevant”
Intolerance or cynicism toward problems that develop

Stage 3 – Life, Self, or Others No Longer Feel Valuable

Non-existent social life
Needing relief from stress more than meaning in life
Obvious changes in behavior that others notice
Less awareness of your own personal needs

Stage 4 – Inner Emptiness and Depression

Feeling empty inside
Escaping through indulgences (food, alcohol, scrolling, overworking, etc.)
Feeling lost, unsure, and exhausted
The future feels bleak and dark

Stage 5 – Burnout

Physical, mental, and emotional collapse
The situation demands attention and requires change

If you see yourself in Stage 1 or 2...that’s not “not bad enough to matter.” Seriously.

That’s your opportunity to change direction...because on the other side of burnout...is breakdown.

It's time...start walking differently.

Why High-Achievers Are More Vulnerable Than They Realize

Many high-achievers don’t burn out because they’re doing life “wrong.”

They burn out because they’re doing life in a way that isn’t sustainable. It's not working long-term.

Read that again.

Two things often drive the pattern:

Deep personal needs that influence behavior (achievement, attachment, control).
Character patterns under stress that turn the volume up on pressure (overthinking, resisting change, checking out when overwhelmed).

These aren’t labels for you.

They’re clues. (Remember...this is a different lens.)

And clues lead to clarity.

Ask yourself:

Do I feel the need to prove myself...even when nobody asked me to?
Do I over-function to be accepted or to keep peace?
Do I tighten my grip when life feels uncertain?

Sometimes...awareness is a bridge you can take.

Energy Management: The Missing Piece for Burnout Prevention

Most people respond to rising demands by adding more hours. (See my husband raising his hand. ✋)

But time isn’t the only resource you spend.

You also spend energy. Shocker!

And if you keep draining your energy reserves without renewal, burnout is inevitable...even if you’re “good at time management.”

This doesn't always respond to that.

Your energy is spent through physical, emotional, and mental activity.

Your energy is renewed through positive rituals...intentionally scheduled AND practiced.

So here’s a simple shift:

Stop asking only, “How do I get more done?”

Start asking also, “How do I get replenished?”

Because orchestration isn’t balance...remember?

It’s alignment.

Try this 4-step solution today:

Physical renewal: Drink water, take a 10-minute walk, stretch, step outside for natural light.
Mental renewal: Write down the one thing that truly matters today, then do that...before the noise.
Emotional renewal: Name what you’re feeling (without fixing it), and...
Spiritual renewal: AND...talk to God about it honestly.

Small rituals done consistently beat big plans you never repeat.

Read that again.

Emerging “New Again”: Burnout Can Become a Turning Point

Burnout can feel like the end. It’s not.

And because burnout comes before breakdown...it's that signal that can make the difference.

Sometimes it’s the moment you stop living from pressure and start living from purpose.

Sometimes it’s the moment you stop performing and start BEing.

In nature, winter forces a kind of retreat.

Not because everything is dying… but because everything is preparing.

From time to time, we all must retreat to replenish...so we can emerge new again.

So if you’re in a “winter” season right now, be encouraged. Hear this:

You're not being forced to fall behind.

You ARE being invited to slow down, pay attention, and...realign.

Here's What I Know to Be True

Burnout is often what happens when you’ve been strong for too long without being supported. And that can be because you haven't been offered it...or you haven't asked for it. 🤔

You don’t have to earn rest. It's a gift.

You don’t have to prove your worth. This isn't about "worthiness."

You were created on purpose, from purpose, for purpose. And even our Creator knew when to rest.

My Encouragement to You

If you’re noticing the early signs, don’t wait for a full collapse to give yourself permission to change.

Pick one small renewal habit today.

One moment of stillness.

One honest boundary.

One "ask" for help.

And absolutely do NOT navigate these signs alone. I had a mentor, pastors, a (very) few close friends, and two very important ministry helps at church. I also had a coach for a short time, but...we were definitely not on the same wave length, so we didn't go very far together. Just an FYI

With the right support and guidance, you can avoid burnout...by giving attention to the signs. 😎

#YourBridgeIsNotTooFar

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I'll meet you on the bridge!

Deni