How Do I Know If I’m Feeling Burnout? (Hint: It’s More Than Just Being Tired)

We toss around the word “burnout” a lot—but how do you really know if you’re experiencing it? Spoiler: it’s not just about feeling exhausted or stuck. Burnout can show up across every level of your being: physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. We have spent years helping purpose-driven humans navigate these waters, and we want to break down the real signs so you can recognize them early—and reclaim your energy, your purpose, and your joy.

Physical Symptoms:

• Chronic fatigue, even after a full night’s sleep.  We will just call this groggy.  

• Frequent headaches, muscle tension, or unexplained aches.  Yes, this means that unexplained pain in your shoulders, lower back and/or knees.  

• Changes in appetite or sleep patterns.  Hello, 3am wake up call! 

• Weakened immune system—you seem to catch every cold that goes around.  

• Restlessness or trouble relaxing, even during downtime.  You know who you are, you sat down to relax and popped right back up to send that email.

Emotional Symptoms:

• Persistent feelings of overwhelm or dread.  This is that feeling that you wake up with that won’t go away, or your general outlook about your work/day/life…

• Increased irritability or mood swings.  Yes, this is the twenty-minute tirade about the toilet paper.  But it can also be one minute you are feeling really great, and the next minute you are crashing into anxiety or melancholy.  

• Feeling detached, numb, or disconnected from things you care about.  It’s just all starting to feel…well, meh…

• Loss of motivation or a sense of hopelessness.  Motivation is directly tied to our deeper meaning and purpose. If you have lost your motivation, it probably means you are compromising your truth somewhere.  

• Heightened sensitivity to criticism or feedback.  And it seems like that is what everyone is serving these days.  

Mental Symptoms:

• Racing thoughts or constant worry.  The proverbial monkey mind…

• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions.  Squirrel! 

• Forgetfulness and brain fog.  This can just feel like a hazy you can’t quite shake off.  Or that you just feel scattered and unorganized.  

• Negative self-talk or imposter syndrome flaring up.  The inner critic is real, and often when we are in burnout, it is the part of us that is driving the bus.  

• Struggling to see possibilities or solutions (everything feels like a dead end).  This is that “nothing goes my way” syndrome.  If you are getting a ton of resistance, the universe is trying to get your attention!  Something isn’t lining up.  

Spiritual Symptoms:

• Feeling disconnected from your purpose or values.  Our Purpose, and our deeper meaning literally stablizes the neurology of our play, pleasure, and reward systems, so when you are not connected to those things, life can feel empty and meaningless.  

• Questioning your path or sense of meaning.  This is good!!  It means you are headed for a great disruption that will help you see your true Purpose.  

• Loss of joy or inspiration in things that once lit you up.  Joy is a state of being that comes from alignment.  When we are out of alignment, we can find happiness, but we often cannot feel a sustained sense of contentment and joy.  

• Withdrawing from practices or communities that once nourished you.  These are signs of a deeper depression that might indicate that your Purpose and your life are not syncing up.  It’s time to seek something deeper.  

• Sensing a lack of alignment between your inner world and outer actions.  This can be a rising feeling that your work is stealing your Soul.  Pay attention.  This is a good wake-up call.  

Why This Matters: Burnout isn’t a personal failure—it’s a signal that something needs to change. If you recognize yourself in any (or all) of these symptoms, know that you’re not alone. Burnout is a wake-up call, not a life sentence. The path to healing starts with awareness and a willingness to honor your needs on every level.

Ready to Get Unstuck? If you want to go deeper, our book “Unstuck Yourself: Thrive Beyond Burnout and Find Your True Purpose” is packed with practical tools, Human Design insights, and self-coaching prompts to help you break free from burnout and rediscover your unique gifts. Check it out at www.unstuckyourselfbook.net and give yourself permission to choose a new path forward.