Recognising burnout before it runs you

Burnout rarely arrives all at once. More often it builds quietly — a slow erosion of energy, patience, and interest that we explain away as a busy season. By the time it feels undeniable, we have usually been running on empty for a while.

The early signs we tend to miss

Notice the small shifts first: sleep that no longer restores you, a shorter fuse with the people you love, a creeping cynicism about work that once mattered. Many high-achieving people are especially good at overriding these signals — which is exactly what makes burnout so easy to miss.

A few questions to check in with yourself

When did I last feel genuinely rested? What am I saying yes to out of obligation rather than choice? Where in my life have I stopped feeling like myself? You do not need a clear answer — noticing the question is enough to begin.

If several of these land, it may be worth talking it through. Therapy is a space to slow down, make sense of what is happening, and rebuild a pace that is actually sustainable for you.