Feeling Drained? Lost Your Spark? You Might Be in Burnout.

Are You Burned Out Without Even Knowing? Recognising the Hidden Signs as You Head Into the Holidays

As the holiday season approaches, many of us are counting down the days until we can finally rest. We imagine the sunshine, the slower mornings, and the escape from endless to-do lists. But what if the need for rest feels more like survival than celebration? At Journey Life Coaching, we often work with individuals who only realise they’re experiencing burnout when they finally stop—and the silence feels heavy, not healing.

What is Burnout?

Burnout is more than just feeling tired or overwhelmed. It’s a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged and excessive stress. It creeps in quietly, especially for those who pride themselves on coping, staying busy, and being the one others rely on. It can affect anyone—from working parents and carers to professionals, students, and those in creative or care-based roles. And the tricky part? You may not even notice it's happening—until you're on the edge of your well-earned holiday, and relaxation feels impossible.

Common Signs You May Be Living with Burnout

You might be experiencing burnout if any of the following sound familiar:

• You feel constantly exhausted—even after a full night’s sleep

• Your patience is running low—small things feel like big irritations

• You’ve lost enthusiasm for things that once brought you joy

• You’re withdrawing socially—preferring isolation to interaction

• You feel disconnected from your purpose or what matters most

• You’re struggling with brain fog, memory lapses, or indecision

• You’re going through the motions but feel numb on the inside

Why the Holidays Don’t Always Help

You might think a holiday will fix everything—but burnout doesn't vanish when you close your laptop or walk away from routine. In fact, for many, holidays are when the cracks become most visible .When there’s no more noise to drown out the discomfort, we’re left with the truth: rest alone is not recovery.

Simple Ways to Begin Your Recovery

Burnout recovery doesn’t start with doing more—it starts with doing less, differently. Here are a few starting points:

Pause with Purpose

Take five minutes daily to check in with yourself. Ask: How am I feeling right now? What do I need? This simple act of self-awareness begins the healing process.

Reclaim Your Boundaries

Say no to things that drain you. Create protected time for activities that nourish you, even if it’s just 15 minutes a day.

Reconnect with Joy

What used to light you up before life got this heavy? Music? Movement? Journaling? Reintroduce one joy-trigger into your weekly rhythm.

Breathe Mindfully

A few slow, deep breaths (in for 4, hold for 4, out for 6) can calm your nervous system and help you come back to the present moment.

Talk to Someone Who Gets It

You don’t have to figure it all out alone. Burnout thrives in silence—healing happens in connection.

A Friendly Invitation from Journey Life Coaching

At Journey Life Coaching, we’ve helped many people gently untangle the knot of burnout and reconnect with their clarity, confidence, and capacity. We offer bespoke coaching programmes designed for real life—whether you're in the early signs of burnout or feeling completely depleted .We’ll help you:

• Understand where burnout has taken hold

• Rebuild your sense of self beyond work or responsibilities

• Create realistic strategies for sustainable energy and purpose

• Redefine what success and fulfilment look like for you

This holiday season, give yourself permission not just to rest, but to reset.✨

If you’re curious to explore how we can support you, reach out today for a free discovery call. Your journey back to yourself starts here. www.journeylifecoaching.co.uk