From Burnout to Balance: My Journey to Reignite Passion and Purpose at Work
Burnout doesn’t just happen overnight. For me, it was a slow, insidious process that crept into my life while I was juggling the demands of running a private medical practice, trying to be a supportive wife, and fulfilling my role as a mother. I didn’t realize the toll it was taking on my mental, emotional, and physical health until I was completely drained. And I’m not alone—research shows that 70% of professionals experience burnout at some point in their careers.
I decided to share my story not only to shed light on the realities of burnout but also to show that recovery and rediscovering passion for work is possible. This article outlines the steps that helped me move from burnout to bliss. Whether you’re struggling with similar feelings or looking for ways to protect your energy and enthusiasm, these strategies can help you, too.
Burnout is more than just feeling tired; it’s a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged and excessive stress. It often leads to feelings of cynicism, detachment, and a lack of accomplishment. For me, burnout manifested as constant fatigue, irritability, and an overwhelming sense of being stuck. Even the simplest tasks felt insurmountable.
The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies burnout as an occupational phenomenon. It defines burnout as a syndrome resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. The three dimensions are:
Emotional exhaustion: Feelings of being overextended and depleted of energy.
Cynicism or depersonalization: Developing negative or detached feelings about one’s job.
Reduced professional efficacy: Feeling less competent or accomplished at work.
The causes were clear in hindsight. Running a private practice meant I was constantly managing schedules, patient care, and the administrative side of medicine. Add to that my desire to excel as a wife and godmother, and the scales tipped toward overwork and imbalance. I felt like I had no control over my time, and the expectations—both internal and external—were relentless.
Burnout triggers prolonged activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, leading to increased cortisol levels. Over time, this can dysregulate the body’s stress response and impair immune function. (Source: Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 2018)
Research shows burnout can reduce the volume of the prefrontal cortex, responsible for decision-making, and increase activity in the amygdala, which governs stress responses. Sleep disruption and its ripple effects exacerbate fatigue and cognitive impairment. Recognizing these signs earlier might have prevented my downward spiral, but it’s never too late to turn things around.
Burnout increases the risk of hypertension and heart disease. (Source: European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, 2019), it is also associated with depression and anxiety. A study in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology (2017) highlighted a strong correlation between burnout and clinical depressive symptoms. People experiencing burnout may turn to alcohol or drugs as coping mechanisms. (Source: Addictive Behaviors, 2020).In our book, Thriving After Burnout, where over 50 women physicians shared their personal experiences with burnout, the opening story delves deeply into this very topic.
Risk factors:
Overwork: A study by the American Psychological Association (APA) found that consistently working more than 50 hours per week increases the likelihood of burnout.
Lack of Autonomy: Workers with little control over their job roles report higher burnout rates. (Source: Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 2018)
Poor Work-Life Balance: Studies highlight the role of work-life conflict in exacerbating burnout, particularly among caregivers and healthcare workers. (Source: Journal of Applied Psychology, 2020
Recognizing Your Current State
The first step to recovery is acknowledging where you are. For me, this meant taking a hard look at how I felt about my work and life. I started journaling to track my mood and energy levels, which made it clear that I was running on empty.
If you’re not sure whether you’re experiencing burnout, tools like the Maslach Burnout Inventory or simple checklists can help. These evaluate symptoms like exhaustion, detachment, and reduced performance. The Job-Demands Resources (JD-R) Model explains burnout as the result of an imbalance between job demands (e.g., workload, time pressure) and resources (e.g., support, autonomy). Self-reflection is critical. Without it, I wouldn’t have realized how far I’d strayed from the life I wanted to live.
Shifting from Burnout to Bliss
Here are the steps I took to reignite my passion for work and life:
Reevaluate Your Values and Goals
Burnout forced me to ask myself hard questions: What truly matters to me? What do I want my life to look like? I realized that my personal value of compassion wasn’t being fully expressed because I was too overwhelmed to be present for others. Writing a personal mission statement helped me reconnect with my purpose, and identifying what brought me joy—helping others and spending time in nature—gave me clarity.
Set Boundaries
One of the hardest but most necessary steps was setting boundaries. I learned to say no to additional responsibilities and to prioritize self-care. Turning off email notifications after hours and carving out non-negotiable time for myself were game-changers.
Redesign Your Workday
Small changes made a big difference. I started each day with a positive ritual, like a brief walk or mindfulness practice, and structured my tasks to focus on one thing at a time. Regular breaks helped me recharge and stay productive.
Seek Support
I leaned on my support network, reaching out to trusted friends, colleagues, and mentors. I also sought professional coaching, which provided invaluable insights and tools for managing stress and expectations.
Cultivate Mindfulness and Gratitude
Mindfulness became a cornerstone of my recovery. Practices like deep breathing and journaling helped me stay grounded. Keeping a gratitude journal shifted my perspective, helping me focus on the positive aspects of my life and work.
Explore New Opportunities
Leaving my private practice was a difficult decision, but it opened the door to new opportunities that aligned better with my values and lifestyle. I discovered roles in healthcare leadership and utilization management, which allowed me to use my skills in meaningful ways without the overwhelming demands of running a practice.
Real-Life Success Stories
My story is just one example of what’s possible. I’ve met others who have overcome burnout by pursuing passions, setting boundaries, or even changing careers. One colleague found joy in teaching, while another reignited their passion by focusing on patient advocacy. The common thread? They all took intentional steps toward alignment and balance.
The Role of Employers
Employers play a vital role in preventing and addressing burnout. Flexible work arrangements, mental health resources, and a culture that values well-being can make a huge difference. If these aren’t available in your workplace, don’t hesitate to advocate for change. Your voice matters.
Action Plan for Readers
To help you take the first steps toward recovery, here’s a simple action plan:
Reflect on your current state. Use a journal or burnout checklist to identify how you feel.
Define your values and goals. Write a personal mission statement.
Set one boundary this week to protect your time and energy.
Introduce one mindfulness practice into your daily routine.
Explore opportunities to align your work with your values, even if they’re small changes.
Seek support from friends, colleagues, or professionals.
Burnout taught me that it’s okay to pause, reflect, and pivot. If you’re feeling stuck, know that it’s not the end of your story. With intentional steps and the right support, you can rediscover your passion and create a life that aligns with your values. Start today because you deserve to move from burnout to bliss.
