You’re Not Lazy. You’re Probably Burnt Out — And That Matters.
Let’s say it straight: burnout doesn’t always look like crying in the breakroom. Sometimes, it looks like you, quietly powering through, numb on the inside but still replying to emails with “Thanks, noted.”
You’re functioning. But just barely. And somewhere deep down, there’s a whisper you’ve been trying to ignore:
“I don’t know how much longer I can do this.”
If that sounds familiar, don’t panic, but don’t shrug it off either. Burnout doesn’t always scream. Sometimes, it whispers until it breaks you.
This blog is your nudge, a sign that it might be time to reassess where your career is headed, and whether you still want to be the one driving it.
First: What Is Burnout (Really)?
Burnout isn’t just being tired. It’s emotional exhaustion, mental fog, and disconnection from purpose, all happening at once.
According to the World Health Organisation, burnout is a work-related syndrome with three major symptoms:
- Feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion
- Increased mental distance or cynicism toward your job
- Reduced professional efficacy even when you’re still “performing”
In other words: you’re doing the work, but it feels like it’s doing you.
7 Quiet Signs You’re Burning Out That Most People Miss
Burnout isn’t always dramatic. It’s often subtle. Here’s what to look for:
1. You Wake Up Dreading the Day, Even on Mondays That Aren’t That Bad
It’s not the meetings. It’s everything.
2. You Feel Like a Shell of Your Past Self
You’re no longer creative, funny, or engaged. Just… running the script.
3. Success Doesn’t Feel Like Anything Anymore
You land the deal, get the praise and feel nothing.
4. You Snap at Tiny Things, Then Beat Yourself Up for It
The email tone. The meeting invite. The Slack ping. Instant cortisol.
5. You’re Fantasising About Quitting… Without a Plan
Not because you’ve got a vision, but because you’re desperate to escape.
6. You Feel Like You’re Faking It. Even Though You’re Overqualified
Imposter syndrome doesn’t go away. It mutates when burnout hits.
7. You’ve Forgotten What You’re Even Working Toward
The goalposts keep moving. The “why” is blurry. And nothing feels worth the effort.
Why This Matters: Burnout Is a Compass
Here’s the thing: burnout isn’t just a breakdown. It’s often a breakthrough signal, a red flag from your nervous system telling you something’s misaligned.
Maybe it’s:
- A role that no longer fits
- A team dynamic that drains you
- A lack of meaning in what you do
- An invisible glass ceiling you’re done pretending, isn’t there
Burnout says, “This path isn’t working anymore.” The question is, are you willing to listen?
Reassessing Your Career Doesn’t Mean Starting Over
One of the biggest fears Dr. Kerstin Brehm hears from clients is: “What if I burn it all down and regret it?”
You don’t need to torch your career to heal. Sometimes, all you need is:
- A shift in role
- A repositioning of strengths
- A change in environment
- A new definition of success that you actually believe in
Career pivots, boundary-setting, schedule redesign, new income streams — these are real, doable options. But first, you need clarity, not just panic-driven action.
Why Dr. Brehm Gets It (In and Out of the OR)
Before coaching high-level professionals and executives across the globe, I led teams inside the operating room. As a cardiac surgeon, I faced real burnout. High stakes. No margin for error. Constant performance.
And when it all started to unravel? I walked away from surgery without a backup plan — no blueprint, just a deep knowing that I couldn’t keep going that way. But once I pivoted into consulting and later stepped into a managing director role at an international corporation, that’s when I began building my next chapter-strategically, intentionally, and without sacrificing my ambition.
That’s what I now help others do: recover with purpose and recalibrate without shame.
You’re not failing. You’re just done pretending that depletion is a badge of honour.
Not Sure Where to Start?
Here’s a simple filter:
- You’re constantly exhausted, even after rest
- You’re emotionally detached from work you used to care about
- You’ve got a voice in your head whispering, “There has to be more than this”
If that’s you… You’re not broken. You’re just ready for something else.
Final Thought: You Don’t Have to Wait for Rock Bottom
Burnout doesn’t always crash with a bang. Sometimes it slips in quietly and steals your spark over months, even years. You deserve more than just to cope. You deserve to thrive and to feel like yourself again.
If you’re ready to find out what’s next, without leaping alone, book a Discovery Call with Dr. Kerstin Brehm. Let’s turn burnout into your breakthrough.
