Burnout is Not Your Fault, And You’re Not Lazy
Hey Kiya Collective,
Let’s talk about something we all feel but rarely give ourselves permission to name: burnout.
That bone-deep exhaustion. The constant feeling of being behind. The overwhelm that makes even simple tasks feel like mountains.
It’s come up again and again on the podcast. At Kiya Convos Live, it was a theme many of us discussed in between sips of Prosseco and laughter. And it’s time we said this out loud:
Burnout is not your fault. And you are not lazy.
Let’s unpack what burnout actually is, and how we begin the work of coming back to ourselves.
💡 What is Burnout? Burnout isn’t just being tired. It’s a state of chronic physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress, especially when you’ve been doing too much, for too long, without enough rest or support.
Symptoms can look like:
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Struggling to focus
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Feeling numb or emotionally drained
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Constant self-doubt or irritability
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A loss of joy in things you used to love
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Waking up tired, no matter how much you sleep
Sound familiar?
🌀 Why It’s So Common for Women Let’s be real. Many of us are: ✨ Holding households together ✨ Showing up for work or our businesses ✨ Caring for children, partners, friends, parents ✨ Trying to look after our bodies, minds, and skin
And society still tells us rest is a luxury. But rest is a right — and burnout is a natural response to carrying too much for too long.
💛 Small Ways to Start Healing from Burnout You don’t need a retreat to begin reclaiming yourself. Start with these gentle rituals:
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Name it. Say it out loud or write it down: “I’m burned out.” Naming it removes the shame.
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Daily Check-In: Ask yourself each morning: What do I need more of today? What do I need less of? Even small answers are sacred.
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Reclaim One Hour a Week: Book it like a meeting. No multitasking. No guilt. Use it to sleep, cry, journal, mask your face, sit in the sun, whatever your body needs.
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Nourish Your Senses: Burnout disconnects you from your body. Come back to it with softness:
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Massage in some Sweet Nourishing Oil
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Mist your skin with our Toner and breathe deeply
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Play your favourite calming playlist
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Ask for Help. Rest is collective. Let someone in, a friend, a sister, a therapist, your community.
Final Thoughts Burnout is not weakness. It’s your body waving a flag saying, “I need more care.”
You are allowed to pause. You are allowed to soften. You are allowed to take up space without being endlessly productive.
This season, may your rituals be gentle and your rest non-negotiable.