Burnout is not always dramatic. Sometimes it shows up quietly. Sometimes it feels like you are just “off” and can’t explain why. These are a few signs I missed in myself, and maybe you’ll recognize them too.
- You are tired even after a full night of sleep
It is not the kind of tired a nap can fix. It feels like a heaviness that follows you into the morning. You wake up already drained, even when you technically rested.
- Small things irritate you more than usual
Emails feel super personal. Tasks feel much bigger than they are. You react faster, sharper, and with less patience than you normally would. It feels like your emotional buffer is gone.
- You feel disconnected from your own goals
You are still doing the work, but it feels like you are on autopilot. The things you used to care about feel distant. You know what you “should” want, but you can’t feel it the same way.
- You avoid things that normally make you feel good
Workouts, routines, hobbies, even texting people back. Everything feels like effort. You keep saying “maybe tomorrow,” and tomorrow keeps moving.
- You question your competence even when you are doing fine
You reread emails five times before sending. You worry you are falling behind. You feel like you are not doing enough, even when you are doing more than enough.
What’s Helping Me Right Now
I am not trying to “fix” everything at once. I am just learning to notice the signs earlier and be gentler with myself. A few things that are helping me feel a little more grounded:
- Taking short breaks instead of pushing through
- Moving my body, even if it is light movement
- Setting one priority for the day instead of ten
- Being honest when I am overwhelmed
- Letting small things be small
Burnout is not a failure. It is a signal. If any of this feels familiar, you are not alone.
Life of the Corporate Girl 
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