Beyond Burnout: Practical, Powerful Ways to Reclaim Your Energy and Purpose in a Season of Uncertainty

In a world where pink slips feel more common than pay raises, and “restructuring” is code for more work and fewer teammates, burnout isn’t just a risk—it’s a reality. Layoffs are happening in nearly every sector, and for those who remain, the weight of it all can be crushing. Not only are you absorbing the responsibilities of your departed colleagues, but you may also be grieving the loss of trusted coworkers and the sense of stability they brought. Every Slack ping could be your last, every 1:1 a potential exit interview.

It’s no wonder so many professionals are feeling emotionally drained, disconnected, and stuck between fear and fatigue.

But here’s the truth you need to hear right now:

Burnout may be real, but it doesn’t get to define you. Not now. Not ever.

You have more power than you think. This moment—while scary and destabilizing—can also be a doorway to something new. Something better. But only if you allow yourself to engage differently. Let’s walk through some deeply practical and soul-nourishing ways to care for yourself during this phase and reframe what’s next.

1. Honor the Grief and Give It Space

Grief doesn’t just happen when someone passes away. It shows up in our careers too—especially when a beloved team is suddenly scattered. You’re not being dramatic if you feel sadness, confusion, or even guilt (yes, survivor’s remorse is real). You’re being human.

Here’s what helps:

• Name the loss. It might be the loss of a routine, a peer, a sense of safety, or even a dream you had about where your team or career was headed. Write it down. Say it aloud.

• Talk to someone you trust. You don’t need to process this alone. Find a peer, a therapist, a coach—or a circle that will listen without minimizing your experience.

• Acknowledge survivor’s guilt. If you’re still employed while others were let go, you may feel unworthy or anxious. That’s natural. Try this affirmation: “I didn’t choose this, but I can choose how I show up. I honor those who’ve left by continuing with integrity.”

2. Shift Your Energy from “This Is Happening to Me” to “What Can I Create From This?”

When your brain is in survival mode, it narrows your options. Your inner narrative might loop with thoughts like:

“What if I’m next?”

“I can’t afford to lose this job.”

“I’m already behind—how can I keep up?”

These thoughts are understandable, but they’re also exhausting.

So here’s the pivot: Don’t just survive this moment—shape it.

Start with what I call “realistic dreaming.” It’s not about fantasy. It’s about permission. Permission to dream within your reality, and then expand what’s possible from there.

Try this:

• Block 1 hour this week to update your resume—not because you’re leaving tomorrow, but because you’re reminding yourself of your value.

• Make a list of roles you’ve always been curious about. No filter. If you’ve thought about becoming a wellness coach, program manager, or starting a consulting side hustle—write it down. This is not the time to shut down creativity. This is the time to explore it.

• Ask yourself bold, open questions:

  
  

  • What kinds of problems do I love solving?

  • What kind of people energize me?

  • What would I be doing if I wasn’t afraid?

3. Invest in Your Future (Even in Small Ways)

Burnout thrives when you feel stuck. One of the best antidotes? Momentum.

You don’t have to overhaul your career overnight. But you can take one small, powerful step that invests in your future.

Examples of micro-investments that make a big impact:

• Set aside $25 a paycheck for upskilling. Whether it’s a LinkedIn Learning course, a SHRM certification, a conference, or even coaching—it’s money that’s going toward your growth.

• Join a career-focused Meetup or local networking group. Not to job hunt (unless you’re ready), but to stay inspired by people who are building and becoming.

• Hire a coach or mentor who sees your brilliance and helps you clarify what’s next.

4. Reconnect with Joy: Make a “Fun List” and Post It Where You’ll See It

It’s easy to forget what makes you feel like you when you’re in a fog of fatigue. One way to fight back? Build a Fun List.

This is your personal menu of things that bring you delight—small, tangible, and totally doable.

Here’s how:

• Grab a notebook or open a note on your phone and finish this sentence 10 times:

  “I feel like myself when I…”

  Maybe it’s walking barefoot in the grass, cooking for friends, painting, dancing, or singing in the car.

• Turn that into your Fun List—your go-to toolkit for reclaiming your energy. Post a copy on your fridge, your bathroom mirror, and near your desk.

• Schedule one thing from your list each week. No guilt. No excuses. Joy is not a luxury—it’s a lifeline.

5. Create a “Happy Things” List and Make it Visible

Alongside your Fun List, create a companion: your Happy Things list. These are not activities—they’re sensory, sweet, and deeply personal things that make you smile or feel calm.

Here’s part of mine to spark ideas:

• Stargazer lilies

• Daffodils

• Chocolate chip cookies

• Elmo (yes, the Muppet)

• Yoga

What’s on your list?

Maybe it’s the smell of fresh rain, bubble baths, Stevie Wonder’s greatest hits, or cozy socks. Keep this list visible. When your brain is overloaded with to-dos, this is your emotional reset button.

6. Become a Local Tourist: Explore and Reclaim Your Environment

When everything feels like it’s closing in, changing your environment—even slightly—can give you a surge of mental freedom. You don’t need a vacation to get away. Start exploring what’s already around you.

Make a list of local adventures. Add to it as you think of new ideas. Include places that feel relaxing, inspiring, or joyful.

Here are some great starters:

• Farmers markets

• Art walks and food festivals

• Waterfalls and hiking trails

• Botanical gardens

• Outdoor concerts or local baseball games

• Coffee shops with new scenery and people-watching opportunities

Turn this into a monthly ritual: “One New Place, Every 30 Days.” Better yet—do it with a friend or your kids and make it a shared experience.

7. Protect Your Energy Like It’s Your Currency—Because It Is

In times of burnout, we often feel guilty saying “no.” But your energy is a finite resource. Treat it like money. You don’t give away $100 bills without thought—don’t give away your energy that way either.

Energy protection strategies:

• Time block your day. Reserve at least one 30-minute window daily with no meetings, no emails, no demands. Call it your “reset time.”

• Say no to one thing this week that you would’ve said yes to out of obligation.

• Track your energy leaks. Notice who or what leaves you feeling drained—and gently begin to place boundaries around them.

8. Find or Build a Circle That Lifts You

Burnout isolates. Connection heals.

This isn’t about finding a million followers. It’s about curating a small, supportive circle—people who remind you of your brilliance when you forget.

Create your own “Burnout Buffer Circle”:

• Reach out to 3 people you trust and let them know you’re creating a circle for support, laughter, venting, and dreaming out loud.

• Schedule monthly 1-hour meetups (virtual or in person) with no agenda—just connection and encouragement.

• If you’re not sure who to include, join a mastermind, career cohort, or volunteer group and grow from there.

9. Remember: This Is Just a Phase

Burnout convinces you it’s permanent. But it’s not. This is a chapter—not the whole book.

You are allowed to slow down. You are allowed to rest. You are allowed to outgrow roles, reimagine your work, and reset your life.

If today all you can do is breathe deeply and drink water, start there. If tomorrow you can take a walk and update your LinkedIn, do that too.

You are not broken.

You are not behind.

You are not alone.

Final Thought: Burnout Doesn’t Mean You’ve Failed—It Means You’ve Been Carrying Too Much for Too Long

And now, it’s your turn to be carried. By your choices. By your community. By the quiet power that says, I still believe in what’s possible for me.

So don’t just survive this season.

Reset. Reimagine. Rise.

Looking for support?

If you’re ready to explore what’s next, let’s talk. My Realistic Dreaming coaching sessions are designed for professionals like you—navigating uncertainty with grace, grit, and imagination. Whether you’re thinking about a pivot or just need a space to breathe and plan, I’ve got you.

Let’s create your next chapter.

[Join the coaching waitlist here.]

You don’t have to do this alone. Let’s make space for your dreams—even now. Especially now.