3 Reasons Women Burn Out in Their Careers (and Why We Never Step Away—Except to Grab Our

Tired Career Woman ? You're Stuck in the Superwoman Spiral ??

We’ve all been there: late nights, endless to-do lists, and the feeling that no matter how hard we try, we’re never quite done. So why do we keep pushing ourselves to the brink of burnout—and worse, why do we rarely step away to recharge?

Here are 3 reasons women burn out, and why we often never step away—unless it’s to grab our laptop:

1. We’re Stuck in the Superwoman Spiral ??

As women, we tend to juggle multiple roles—career, family, emotional caretaker, friend, and sometimes, the one who holds it all together. This mental and physical load is massive, and the pressure to be “perfect” at everything can feel like we’re never allowed to rest. We end up feeling guilty for taking time to unwind, as if we’re being indulgent rather than acknowledging that rest is an essential part of success.

2. The Myth of Doing It All (Perfectly) ??????

From an early age, we’re conditioned to think that success means being everything to everyone—and doing it flawlessly. We try to be the perfect employee, partner, parent, friend, and so much more. We stay glued to our laptops, emails, and to-do lists, trying to “prove” ourselves rather than listening to our bodies when they say, “It’s time to stop.” This constant striving for perfection is where burnout doesn’t just sneak in—it sets up camp, and we’re so busy we don’t even notice it until we’re completely drained.

3. Hormonal Hijackers ??

Our hormones affect everything from our energy levels to our ability to focus and be productive, yet the workplace has long been designed without this in mind. Women are expected to perform at the same level every day, regardless of the natural fluctuations in our energy caused by our menstrual cycles. Ignoring these cycles and pushing through when our bodies need rest leads to exhaustion—and when we do this long enough, burnout becomes inevitable. But we’re taught that stepping away isn’t an option. We push through, despite the toll it takes.

Case Study: “Sarah’s Superwoman Spiral”

Let’s take Sarah as an example. Sarah is a successful project manager in her mid-30s, with a demanding job, two young kids, and a partner who also has a busy career. She’s the go-to person at work, at home, and in her social circle. Sarah is constantly juggling her career responsibilities, managing household chores, coordinating her kids' activities, and keeping her partner emotionally supported.

For months, Sarah felt like she could handle it all—after all, she had been doing it for years. But soon, things began to unravel. She started feeling exhausted all the time, despite what she thought were healthy routines. Her evenings were filled with emails, and weekends meant catching up on work. She was always “on.” But what really tipped her over the edge was the constant guilt. Every time she thought about taking a break, she felt selfish or weak. She convinced herself that if she rested, it would mean she wasn’t doing enough. The result? Sarah’s body sent clear signals—constant headaches, sleepless nights, and overwhelming fatigue—but Sarah pushed through.

It wasn’t until Sarah reached a breaking point—where she felt physically and emotionally drained—that she sought help. Her doctor diagnosed her with burnout and adrenal fatigue, a result of constant stress and lack of self-care. The solution wasn’t just about reducing her workload; it was about recognizing that she was stuck in the Superwoman Spiral, and she needed to step away to restore balance.

The Fix? Step Away Before Your Body Forces You To

Rest is not a luxury—it’s a power move. We’ve been taught that taking a break is indulgent, but in reality, it’s essential for maintaining long-term success. The more we embrace the fact that rest is a necessary part of productivity, the more we can prevent burnout before it becomes our reality.

This means taking time for ourselves—really stepping away. It might look like putting the laptop down and doing absolutely nothing for a while. This may feel counterintuitive, but trust me, it’s revolutionary. By respecting your body’s need for rest, you’ll come back stronger, more focused, and more productive than ever before.

Let’s Normalize Taking the Space We Need

Taking time for yourself isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a strategy for thriving. We need to break the cycle of believing that productivity only comes from constant motion and learn to prioritize our health and well-being first. The more we normalize stepping away, the better we’ll perform in the long run.

P.S. I’m officially OOO – Out of Ovulation! ????????

This week, I’m embracing rest, recharging, and avoiding burnout. Self-care isn’t selfish—it’s strategy. But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered with tools to support your career and personal growth:

Career Switch Power Hour: Are you ready to stop overthinking your career change? Book here ??

Career & Cycle Call: Curious how your hormones might be impacting your career success? Let’s explore how to align your cycles with your work. Book a personalized session here ??

Because thriving starts with alignment. I’ll see you soon—fully recharged!

P.S. Honor your cycles, not just your inbox. It’s the ultimate power move. ????

By learning to honor your body’s natural rhythms and stepping away when needed, you’ll unlock the energy and focus required to thrive—without the burnout.