You’re Not Burned Out Because You’re Doing Too Much... You're Burned Out Because You're Doing Too Little of What Lights You Up
Burnout isn’t just about overdoing it.
It’s about under-feeling it.
Yes, working too hard, saying yes to too many things, and not resting enough can deplete you–but that’s not the whole story. For some of you reading this, it’s not your story at all.
You’re not burned out because your calendar is too full. You’re burned out because your life is too empty.
Empty of joy.
Empty of inspiration.
Empty of what actually fuels you.
We keep framing burnout like it’s a productivity issue. Like the answer is clearer boundaries, less hustle, and more naps. Those things can absolutely help, but they don’t get to the root.
Burnout happens when you go too long living a life that doesn’t turn you on.
When your days are filled with obligations you resent.
When your work feels like duty instead of devotion or inspiration.
When you’re just going through the motions—head down, heart offline.
It’s not just the quantity of what you’re doing.
It’s the quality of your energy while doing it.
You could be working long hours and feel completely alive—if you’re lit up by it.
You could be resting all day and still feel exhausted—if your energy is stagnant and resentful.
Burnout is less about doing too much, and more about doing too little of what nourishes you.
Too little of what excites you.
Too little of what challenges you in a good way.
Too little of what makes you laugh, breathe deeper, and feel more like yourself.
Or maybe you’re doing things that could energize you, but you’re carrying a negative attitude about them. You’re begrudging the things that are asking for your presence. That low-frequency resistance—resentment, bitterness, complaint—will drain you faster than any to-do list ever could.
The real burnout cure isn’t just rest.
It’s reconnection…
Reconnection to what lights you up.
Reconnection to how you want to feel.
Reconnection to your “yes.”
So instead of asking what you’re doing too much of, ask yourself this:
What are you doing too little of?
Too little joy?
Too little awe?
Too little soul connection?
Too little honest expression?
That’s where your energy is leaking.
That’s where your fire fizzled.
And that’s where you’ll find your way back.