Burning Out Again—But This Time, I'm Paying Attention

’ve been here before many times. The exhaustion, the overwhelm, the feeling like I’m sprinting through wet sand, trying to keep up with everything I’ve built. It’s not the first time I’ve burned myself out, and if I don’t do something different, it won’t be the last. This time, I don't want to be here anymore. I know I'll be hugely successful financially, emotionally, spiritually and in all areas of my life. 

I love what I do: writing, facilitating, developing programs, performing, business-building, initiatives, public speaking, creating, and my podcast to name a few things. All of it. Every piece of it is a part of me. But somewhere along the way, I forget that I’m not a machine. I push through, thinking I’ll rest later, that I just need to get to the next milestone. And then the next. And then the next.

But this last week, I’ve had enough. What I'm finally learning is that success isn’t about running myself into the ground. It’s about sustaining what I’ve built. It’s about making sure I don’t just achieve my goals, but that I actually have the energy to enjoy them. And actually start to see the fruits of my labour's. 

So what now?

1. Acknowledge the Pattern 

Burnout doesn’t just happen. It builds. Ignoring the warning signs—exhaustion, brain fog, resentment toward the work I usually love—only makes it worse. Recognizing this means I can stop before I crash.

2. Prioritize Ruthlessly

Not everything needs to be done right now. Some things can wait, be rescheduled, or be delegated. Some tasks might not even need to happen at all. I've been pondering how I need to be smarter about where I invest my energy.

3. Rest Without Guilt

This is the hardest one. Rest feels like wasted time when you have big dreams. But I know better—rest isn’t stopping; it’s refueling. If I want to keep growing, I need to recharge. I've finally started enjoying sleep over the last year. Before that, I found it to be a hindrance on my path to success. Now I know better.

4. Redefine Success

Hustle culture tells us that success means never stopping. But true success isn’t just about achievement; it’s about sustainability. If I want longevity in my career, my business, and my creativity, I have to stop burning myself out to get there.

5. Set Those Boundaries and Say No!  One of the most empowering things I can do is learn to say no. It’s about protecting my time and energy to focus on my top priorities. By setting clear boundaries, I’m ensuring that I don’t overcommit and that I reserve my resources for what truly matters. Saying no to most things will allow me to be more present and engaged with my core passions and responsibilities.

I’m making decisions that will benefit me more in the longterm. I’m not slowing down, I am adjusting. Because I refuse to let burnout be the price of my dreams.

And if you’re feeling the same way—if you’re exhausted, overwhelmed, or running on fumes—take this as your sign to pause. Because your dreams matter. But so do you.