Feeling Drained Lately? How to Tell If It’s Burnout — and What You Can Do About It

It’s easy to write off feeling tired, stressed, or overwhelmed as “just being busy.” But if you’ve been running on fumes, snapping at the people you care about, or feeling disconnected from things you usually enjoy — burnout might be creeping in.

As we head into summer, many of us are juggling more than usual: finishing school terms, planning vacations, managing heavier workloads, or simply feeling pressure to “make the most” of the season. And while summer often brings lightness, it can also spotlight how exhausted we really are.

Let’s take a pause and explore what burnout can actually look like — and what you can do to catch it early.

What Burnout Really Feels Like

Burnout isn’t just about being tired — it’s a full-body and emotional depletion that builds over time. Some subtle signs include:

• Irritability or emotional numbness. You’re either on edge or checked out, and everything feels like “too much.”

• Difficulty concentrating. Even simple tasks feel draining. Your mind wanders or shuts down.

• Loss of motivation or joy. You feel disconnected from the things that used to energize you.

Sometimes burnout looks like working harder and harder just to keep up — and sometimes it looks like giving up altogether because you’re too overwhelmed to begin

A Quick Check-In

Try asking yourself:

• What do I need right now that I’ve been ignoring?

• When’s the last time I felt truly rested — physically and emotionally?

• Am I holding myself to expectations that no longer feel realistic or fair?

Burnout often grows in silence, especially when we’re used to being the one others rely on. But your needs matter, too.

What You Can Do

• Start small. It’s okay if you don’t know exactly what you need. Even noticing that something’s off is a powerful first step.

• Build in recovery time. Not just sleep — real moments of emotional rest. That might mean saying no, moving your body gently, or unplugging for a bit.

• Talk to someone. Therapy can help you explore what’s underneath the exhaustion, reconnect with your values, and create rhythms that support you — not just keep you going.

You Deserve Support

Burnout isn’t a personal failure — it’s a sign that something in your life may be out of alignment. You don’t have to push through it alone. If you're feeling worn down, therapy can offer a space to recalibrate, reflect, and gently rebuild.

If any of this resonates, please reach out, our team at Repose is here to help!