The Art of Rest in a Restless Life

How I Kept My Head Above Water During Burnout

Burnout doesn’t always hit like a crash—it creeps in. One day you’re juggling work, marriage, family, friends, and a never-ending to-do list, feeling proud of how much you can handle. Then you wake up and realize you’re exhausted in a way sleep can’t fix.

I’ve always been the person who feels guilty if I’m not giving 100% to everyone and everything. The problem? That left nothing for me. I didn’t see it then, but I should have been at the top of my own list. You can’t do it all, and you shouldn’t try. You can’t please everyone, and you shouldn’t feel like you have to.

My days were long, back-to-back, with barely a moment for myself. I had two options: use those rare free minutes to hide in bed feeling sorry for myself—or get creative and fight for space to breathe. I chose the second. And it worked.

I took the wheel of my life, even if it meant some days I couldn’t give 100% to every part of it. And I stopped feeling guilty about that. Because the truth is, taking care of yourself isn’t selfish—it’s the only way to keep going.

I Wasn’t Always a Runner

If you had told me six years ago that I’d run 30 miles a week, I would’ve laughed. I was a strength and HIIT girl through and through. Lifting weights, crushing circuits, sprint intervals—that was my comfort zone. Running? Absolutely not.

Five years ago, I decided to give it a try. At first, it felt awkward and exhausting. I couldn’t jog for more than a minute without feeling winded. But something shifted.

The more I ran, the more it felt like a release. Sweat became a way to wash off negativity. The rhythm of my feet grounded me. The music in my ears brought me back to myself. And then came the runner’s high—that light, almost euphoric wave that made me realize this wasn’t just exercise. It was therapy.

Now I run more than ever, often before work. It’s my reset button. My mind feels clearer, my patience stronger, and my stress easier to manage.

The Power of Nothingness

Running gave me an outlet, but I also needed stillness. That’s why I created my own rule: one Sunday each month belongs entirely to me.

On that day, I do nothing. No work. No chores. No social plans. I stay in bed, eat whatever I feel like, and watch lighthearted sitcoms just for the comfort of them.

That single day recharges me more than I can explain. I come out of it lighter, happier, and ready for the week ahead.

Protecting Your Energy

We carry more mental weight than we’re designed to handle. If you don’t let some of it go—through movement, laughter, rest, or stillness—it will overflow.

Self-care is saying no without guilt. It’s paying attention when your body whispers that it needs a break. It’s giving yourself permission to do what actually replenishes you, not what Instagram tells you self-care “should” look like.

Burnout doesn’t make you weak. It makes you human. But learning how to stop it before it takes over? That’s where the strength is.

Final Thought: You can’t pour from an empty cup, and you can’t carry one that’s overflowing with negativity. Let something go today—whether it’s a run, a laugh, or a day of nothingness—and see how much lighter tomorrow feels.