How Do I Know If I’m Burnt Out? Signs & Strategies for Burnout
As a working mother, you’re constantly juggling responsibilities - your career, parenting, relationships, home life, and, if there’s any time left, yourself. You push through exhaustion, believing it’s just part of the deal. But when does ‘being busy’ tip into burnout? And how can you tell the difference between everyday stress and something more serious? Let’s talk about it...
what is burnout?
Burnout is more than just feeling tired. It’s a state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion caused by prolonged stress. It sneaks up gradually, often mistaken for just “having a lot on.” But left unchecked, it can impact your health, relationships, and career, and can leave you vulnerable to developing mental health conditions such as clinical anxiety and depression.
Signs You Might Be Burnt Out
If you’re experiencing several of these signs consistently, it’s time to take a step back:
⋒ Chronic Exhaustion | You wake up tired, no matter how much sleep you get. Even simple tasks feel overwhelming.
⋒ Emotional Detachment | You feel disconnected from work, your family, or even yourself. You go through the motions without really being present.
⋒ Reduced Performance | Your concentration is poor, decision-making feels impossible, and motivation is non-existent.
⋒ Irritability & Mood Swings | Small things set you off. You find yourself snapping more than usual or feeling emotionally numb.
⋒ Physical Symptoms | Headaches, stomach issues, frequent colds, tension in your body - your stress is showing up physically.
⋒ Loss of Joy | The things you used to love - hobbies, work, even time with your children - feel like chores rather than sources of joy.
Why Working Mothers Are Especially Vulnerable
For working mums, burnout isn’t just about workload; it’s also about the constant mental and emotional load.
⋒ The pressure to be ‘good’ at everything - career, parenting, relationships, household management.
⋒ The guilt when you can’t give 100% to everything at once.
⋒ The invisible work - planning, organising, remembering, caring - that falls disproportionately on mothers.
⋒ A workplace culture that often undervalues flexibility and self-care.
What to Do If You Recognise These Signs
If this sounds uncomfortably familiar, here’s what you can do:
1 | Pause & Acknowledge – The first step is recognising that burnout isn’t a personal failing - it’s a signal that something needs to change.
2 | Set Boundaries – Where can you say no? Where can you ask for help? Protecting your time and energy is essential, not selfish.
3 | Prioritise Rest & Self-Care – This doesn’t have to be elaborate. Even small, regular micro-moments of rest and self-care make a difference.
4 | Seek Support – Whether it’s from your partner, friends, colleagues, or a professional, you don’t have to navigate this alone.
5 | Consider Professional Support – Therapy or coaching can help you work through burnout and prevent long-term consequences.
Final Thoughts
Burnout isn’t a sign that you’re failing - it’s a sign that something needs adjusting. If any of this resonates, take a moment today to check in with yourself. What’s one small step you can take to prioritise your well-being?
Want to learn more about preventing or addressing burnout?
If you found this useful, you may also like to read these journal articles:
Further Support
If you’d like professional support addressing or preventing burnout, get in touch to discuss how we could work together.
If you struggle with mum guilt, download my free Mum Guilt Manual - 12 page workbook to help you understand and overcome toxic feelings of guilt, whilst simultaneously strengthening your capacity for self-compassion.
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