Burnout isn’t just about working too hard
Sabrina experienced burnout multiple times before finding the tools to recover. She now works as a burnout coach and offers meaningful, sustainable ways to overcome it.
Whilst lying in bed, my head spinning and my stomach churning, I looked at the clock. Five minutes until my next meeting. No time for a proper break but I told myself it didn’t matter: “Just get through this, it’s probably just a bug.” Spoiler alert: it wasn’t.
The dizziness, nausea, and exhaustion weren’t just physical symptoms. My body was waving a giant red flag, but I was too deep in survival mode to realise. It wasn’t the flu. It wasn’t anaemia. It was burnout, again.

– Sabrina"Burnout doesn’t turn up as a single, dramatic event. It creeps up slowly until one day, you realise you’ve been running on empty for so long that even rest feels impossible or pointless. It’s death by a thousand cuts."
For me, burnout affected every corner of my life:
- Physically: I felt teary, nauseated, and achy all the time. My body was screaming for help.
- Mentally: I pushed myself harder, convinced that if I just worked better or achieved perfection, things would improve.
- Emotionally: I was stuck in cynicism and despair, feeling like everything was too hard. I was up and down constantly.
- Socially: I isolated myself. There was no time for friends or fun, not with an endless to-do list. Irritation made it harder to tolerate others, too.
Burnout doesn’t just drain your energy. It steals your joy, creativity, and purpose.
When I found myself in yet another burnout phase, I couldn’t help but ask: Why me? Why does this keep happening?
Changing jobs didn’t help. Switching life circumstances didn’t either. While my friends and colleagues seemed to glide through challenges, I was constantly running on fumes. Something deeper was at play, so I got curious.
Through reflection, research, and coaching hundreds of business leaders as a burnout coach, I began to see familiar patterns:
- The pressure and guilt to always stay busy and effective, even when it’s unsustainable.
- Avoiding or ignoring difficult emotions.
- A relentless inner critic insisting nothing is ever enough.
- Cynicism or disengagement from life and work.

– Sabrina"Burnout isn’t just about working too hard. It’s about how we respond to stress, the stories we tell ourselves, the habits rooted in early life experiences and the unhelpful coping strategies we develop."
My burnout recovery began in the lowest moment of my life: after my dad’s death in 2021. Complicated grief forced me to stop, reassess, and confront questions I’d avoided for years.
What saved me wasn’t a grand epiphany; It was art. I stumbled across acrylic pouring videos on YouTube and decided to try it myself. For the first time in months, I felt something shift. The act of creating with no agenda or expectations was healing in a way I hadn’t anticipated.
That experience inspired me to bring art into my coaching practice. Creative expression became a bridge between my overthinking mind and my emotional world. It reminded me that recovery isn’t about doing more; it’s about reconnecting with who we are in a more meaningful way.
Today, I combine neuroscience, psychology, and art-based coaching to help others navigate and beat burnout. My approach gives clients tools to explore their inner worlds and take meaningful action.
Burnout recovery isn’t about bouncing back to who you were before; It’s about moving forwards, towards a version of yourself that’s more aligned, resilient, and alive. One that is hopeful for the future and engaged with goals, activities, people, and the world around them.
I have to manage my tendencies and unhealthy coping strategies to check I’m not getting into burnout patterns that no longer serve me.
In my full-time day job, I’ve got supportive managers and colleagues now who help me manage my workload and dependencies if I’m overstretched or challenged. That’s not always been the case, but finding a trusted confidante at work has always helped me feel less alone.
– Sabrina"If you’re feeling stuck or lost, know this: you’re not alone. Recovery is possible, even if it doesn’t feel that way now."
Have a look at online resources available on Mental Health UK or similar platforms. Check if your local GP can refer you for support, or if you have healthcare coverage through your employer or insurance company.
Awareness is the first step. Taking action is the next. Let’s start there to build a life you’re excited by.
Want to know more about burnout?
Read our latest Burnout Report and access helpful insights and resources for employees and employers.
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