How I Moved from Burnout to Joy: Overcoming Overwhelm for a Fulfilling Life
Jan 24, 2025
Six years ago, at the age of 50, I found myself completely burned out. I had quit my once-loved career as a maths teacher, exhausted and struggling to recover. I was no longer willing to sacrifice my health and sanity just to get through the day. It was a breaking point—a moment when I realised I needed to make a profound change to reclaim my life.
As I began the journey of recovery, I found myself reflecting deeply. What had brought me to this point? I had done everything I was supposed to do: worked hard, stayed organised, and prioritised my well-being (or so I thought). Yet here I was, completely drained and disconnected from the person I used to be.
What I’m about to share might surprise you. It wasn’t my toxic work environment, my long hours, or even the stress that I hold responsible for my burnout. The one thing I blame for it all is overwhelm. Not just the kind of overwhelm that comes from a long to-do list, but the kind that robs you of clarity, joy and the ability to focus on what truly matters.
What I Tried… and Why It Didn’t Work
Over the years, I tried everything to solve the problem:
- Fixing the Workplace
I worked in a toxic environment. Yes, the policies, the people and the systems all played a role. But even when I made improvements—when I found better ways to do things and helped others thrive—the underlying overwhelm didn’t go away. I realised that no matter how much I tried to change the external environment, the internal pressure was still there. - Hacking My Productivity
I read all the books, implemented every system and became incredibly organised. And for a while, it worked. I got more done in less time and became the go-to person to get things done. But being “efficient” didn’t stop the overwhelm. It just made me more available for others to pile on more work. - Prioritising My Well-Being
I improved my sleep, diet and exercise routines. I scheduled downtime and practiced stress management techniques like mindfulness and gratitude journaling. But none of these solved the core issue. They were temporary fixes that helped me survive but didn’t stop the cycle of overwhelm and exhaustion.
The Shift That Changed Everything
The breakthrough came when I stopped looking for external solutions and started to notice what was happening inside. I realised that I had been pushing through overwhelm to achieve joy, satisfaction and freedom. But overwhelm is a thief—it robs you of those very things.
I began to see overwhelm as a signal, not a flaw. It was my body and mind’s way of telling me that something wasn’t working. Instead of ignoring it or pushing through, I started listening to it.
This shift wasn’t about giving up or lowering my standards. It was about redefining success and focusing on what truly mattered to me. By gently rebelling against the pressure to do more, be more and achieve more, I created space for clarity which allowed me to make the changes that would actually create the freedom and ease I was pushing myself so hard to achieve.
What Does Life Look Like Now?
Today, I live and work in a way that feels aligned with who I am. I’ve built a coaching practice that helps big-hearted, driven professionals like you turn overwhelm into joy. I’ve learned that lasting transformation doesn’t come from big, dramatic changes but from tiny, gentle steps—from listening to yourself and letting go of what doesn’t serve you.
Now, I wake up feeling calm, focused and confident about my day. And when I don’t, I have the tools and skills to do something about before overwhelm derails me. I know what matters most to me and I make it a priority with much more ease. I’m more present in my relationships, more connected to my work and feel at home in my life.
An Invitation
If my story resonates with you, I invite you to explore what’s possible when you gently rebel against overwhelm. What could life look like if you prioritised joy, clarity and ease? What if you allowed yourself to thrive without the constant pressure to push harder?
The first step is simple: start noticing. Notice where overwhelm is showing up in your life and how it’s holding you back. From there, tiny, meaningful changes become possible. And those changes can lead to a life that feels lighter, easier and more joyful.
This is what I coach my clients to do. And if you’re ready to take that step, I’d love to support you on your journey. Because you matter. How you are in the world matters.