Part 2: From Passion to Exhaustion – The Real Reasons Behind Burnout

Burnout doesn’t just happen because we’re busy.
It happens when we give and give… without space to breathe, be seen, or feel safe.

In therapy, I often hear people blame themselves for their burnout:
"I just need to manage my time better."
"Maybe I’m not cut out for this job."
But these aren’t the real reasons.

So what’s really driving burnout?

Here are six common culprits I see in my practice:

1. Perfectionism

When “good enough” never feels good enough, your nervous system stays on high alert. That’s exhausting.

2. People-Pleasing

You say yes to everything—even when you're running on empty. It feels safer to disappoint yourself than others.

3. Chronic Stress without Relief

You live in survival mode. The body isn’t meant to stay in fight-or-flight long term. Eventually, it shuts down.

4. Poor Boundaries (Or No Boundaries at All)

Without boundaries, you’re always “on.” That emotional labor builds up fast.

5. Identity Conflict

Burnout often hits when you're doing work that conflicts with your values, or when you feel you’ve lost yourself in caregiving, achievement, or role overload.

6. Systemic or Cultural Pressures

This one’s not your fault. Many systems reward overwork and punish rest—especially for women, individuals with neurodiversities, and people in caring roles.

Burnout isn't a personal failure.
It’s a signal that your system needs repair, not more effort.