5 Signs You're Burning Out (And Don't Even Know It)

You're crushing it at work. Your calendar is packed with meetings, your to-do list never seems to shrink, and everyone around you sees you as the go-to person who always has it together. But what if I told you that behind all that success, you might be slowly burning out without even realizing it?

Burnout doesn't always announce itself with dramatic breakdowns or complete exhaustion. More often, it creeps in quietly, disguising itself as "just being busy" or "pushing through a tough season." As someone who's spent 20 years in corporate America and now coaches ambitious women through these exact challenges, I've seen the subtle signs that most high-achievers miss.

Here are five sneaky signs that burnout might already be knocking at your door:

1. You're Always "Fine" When People Ask How You're Doing

When was the last time you gave an honest answer to "How are you?" If your default response is always "I'm fine" or "Just busy," even when you're struggling, this could be a red flag.

Burnout often starts with emotional numbing. You stop acknowledging your feelings because you don't have time to process them. You've trained yourself to push through everything, so "fine" becomes your protective shield.

Real talk: When you can't remember the last time you felt genuinely excited about something or when small frustrations feel overwhelming, your emotional well-being might be running on empty.

2. Your Sleep is Either All or Nothing

Are you either lying awake at 2 AM with your mind racing through tomorrow's tasks, or crashing so hard that you sleep through multiple alarms? Both extremes signal that your nervous system is out of balance.

Burnout disrupts your natural sleep-wake cycle. Your body is either too wired to rest (hello, 3 AM anxiety spiral) or so depleted that you can barely function without excessive sleep.

Pay attention to: Needing multiple cups of coffee to feel human, feeling tired even after a full night's sleep, or finding it impossible to "turn off" your brain at bedtime.

3. You've Lost Your Sense of Accomplishment

Remember when completing a big project felt amazing? When you could actually celebrate your wins? If you're constantly moving the goalposts or immediately jumping to the next task without acknowledging what you've achieved, burnout might be stealing your joy.

This happens because burnout shifts you into survival mode. You're so focused on just getting through each day that you lose the ability to recognize and appreciate your progress.

Check yourself: When was the last time you felt proud of something you accomplished? If you can't remember, or if your achievements feel meaningless, this is a major warning sign.

4. Everything Feels Like It Takes More Energy Than It Should

Simple tasks that used to be automatic now feel like climbing Mount Everest. Responding to emails feels overwhelming. Making decisions about what to have for lunch becomes exhausting. Even fun activities start feeling like obligations.

This isn't laziness – it's your mental and emotional resources running dangerously low. When your internal battery is depleted, everything requires more effort than it should.

Notice if: You're procrastinating on tasks you used to handle easily, feeling overwhelmed by choices that used to be simple, or avoiding social activities because they feel like "too much work."

5. You're Irritated by Things (and People) You Usually Love

Your partner's morning routine suddenly annoys you. Your coworkers' questions feel like interruptions. Even your favorite Netflix show can't hold your attention. When you're burning out, your tolerance for everything – including the good stuff – drops dramatically.

This happens because burnout depletes your emotional reserves. You don't have the bandwidth to be patient, understanding, or even enjoy things that normally bring you pleasure.

Red flag moment: If you find yourself snapping at people you care about or feeling annoyed by things that wouldn't normally bother you, your stress bucket might be overflowing.

What Now? You Don't Have to Stay Stuck Here

Recognizing these signs isn't about adding more guilt to your plate – it's about giving yourself permission to address what's really going on before it gets worse. The good news? Burnout is preventable and recoverable when you have the right strategies.

This is exactly why I created the "Soft Living for Boss Baddies" approach. It's not about doing less – it's about doing things differently. It's about creating sustainable success that doesn't cost you your peace, your health, or your joy.

If you saw yourself in these signs, you're not broken, and you're definitely not alone. You're just a high-achieving woman who needs better tools for managing your energy and protecting your well-being while still crushing your goals.

Ready to break the burnout cycle? The first step is acknowledging where you are right now. The second step is getting support from someone who understands the unique pressures you face as an ambitious woman.

Journey WELL!