It’s easy to get caught up in our careers.
Especially when working in corporate.
The fast pace, the endless to-do lists, the drive to perform and excel—it's all too easy to push yourself to the limit in pursuit of success.
But what happens when you push too far? For me, the answer came in the form of burnout, and before I realised what was happening, the early wellness warning signs were already there.
The biggest one for me was frequent headaches.
I hold all my tension and stress in my shoulders, and this constant tension eventually started to manifest as headaches. These weren't just occasional; they became a regular part of my life, a dull ache that seemed to accompany me wherever I went. This was my body’s way of telling me that something wasn’t right, that I was carrying too much stress, but I ignored it. I told myself it was just a part of the job, something I had to live with.
Then there was the irritability.
Things that normally wouldn’t bother me suddenly started to become sources of frustration. I found myself snapping at colleagues and loved ones over the smallest things. It was like I was constantly on edge, and everything seemed to get under my skin. This was a sign that my emotional wellbeing was deteriorating, but once again, I brushed it off, attributing it to a bad day or just “one of those weeks”.
Exhaustion was another glaring sign.
No matter how much sleep I got, I was constantly tired. I would wake up in the morning already feeling drained, and by midday, I was dragging myself through the day. My energy was completely depleted, but I convinced myself that I just needed to push harder, and keep going. After all, everyone feels tired sometimes, right?
As the burnout deepened, I started experiencing what I can only describe as mental fog.
I became easily distracted and had difficulty concentrating. Tasks that used to be second nature now felt overwhelming. I struggled to make decisions, even simple ones, and my productivity took a nosedive. I found myself staring at my computer screen, unable to focus on the work in front of me. My mind was constantly racing, yet I couldn’t seem to grasp onto a single coherent thought.
But perhaps the most telling sign was the loss of interest in things that used to excite me.
Hobbies, social activities, even spending time with family and friends—I just couldn’t be bothered. Everything felt like a chore, and the things that once brought me joy no longer held any appeal. I started to feel disconnected from my own life, going through the motions without any real sense of purpose or fulfilment.
The weight of all my responsibilities became overwhelming, and I began to feel like I was drowning. I would wake up in the middle of the night, my mind racing with all the things I had to do, and struggle to fall back asleep. When I did sleep, it was restless and unrefreshing, leaving me even more exhausted the next day.
If any of this sounds familiar to you, it might be time to take a step back and prioritise your wellness.
Burnout doesn’t happen overnight; it creeps up on you, and if you ignore the warning signs, it can take a serious toll on your physical and mental health.
But the good news is, it’s never too late to make a change.
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, I encourage you to start taking small steps toward self-care. You don’t have to overhaul your entire life overnight—start with something simple, like taking five minutes each day to practise deep breathing or mindfulness. To help you get started, I’ve created a self-care worksheet that you can download. It’s designed to help you build small, sustainable wellness habits that can make a big difference in how you feel. Access it here.
When you take care of yourself, you’re better equipped to take care of your responsibilities, your loved ones, and your goals. Don’t wait until you’re on the brink of burnout, start prioritising your wellness today.
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