Burnout: the isolation we don't talk about

Exactly four years ago, in 2021, I had a type of burnout. I say “a type” because, just like depression or anxiety, burnout exists on a spectrum. It doesn’t always look the same.

For me, it looked like this: I was overworked, drowning in pessimism, and addicted to my notifications. I couldn’t switch off. My physical health suffered, my family felt the distance, and eventually, I reached my breaking point. I resigned - I just couldn’t bear it anymore.

But my leader at the time, someone truly formidable, refused my resignation. “You’re not yourself. You shouldn't make any life-changing decisions right now.” they said. And they were right. I wasn’t myself.

I could see myself crashing in slow motion, but weirdly, I had lost control of my own thoughts. When they offered me time off, I accepted with relief. What kind of shape was I in to start over somewhere else?

It took a therapist to finally say the word: burnout.

I didn’t believe it at first. Me? Burned out? It felt like something that happened to other people. But it was real. And acknowledging it was the first step toward recovery.

Burnout doesn’t always look like complete collapse -it can be a slow unraveling, a gradual loss of self. And the worst part? When you’re in it, you might not even recognise it.

For a long time, I was ashamed of it. When I took an extended leave, I asked my employer not to share the real reason with my colleagues. I was afraid of being judged, of no longer being trusted. But today, I want to talk about it - because the more we normalise these conversations, the less isolated people will feel when it happens to them.

Burnout sneaks up on you. One day, you realise you’re watching life from the outside, wondering why others seem fine while you’re drowning in frustration and exhaustion. If you feel anger consuming you - toward work, toward people, toward everything - maybe this gives you a name for what you’re experiencing.

And to colleagues who notice a once-cheerful teammate growing distant, a social person suddenly cold - don’t turn away. It took just one person at work to see what was happening to me, to give me permission to take a break. That saved me. I came back more committed and energised than ever.

Burnout & Business: Why This Matters

In March 2021, I was angry at everything and everyone. My therapist told me something that changed everything: the world won’t change for you - you have to change your perspective. Control what you can, influence what you can, and let the rest go.

If you’re feeling this way, you’re not alone. And you don’t have to push through it alone either.

Why am I talking about this? Not to overshare in a LinkedIn post - though that seems to be the trend.

I’m sharing this because when I was struggling, leadership coaches helped me see something crucial: "The only substantial differentiator in business is the human condition of the organisation." Dixit The Way Over www.thewayover.com

When business is thriving, it’s easy to focus on growth and results without always checking in on how people are really doing. But in times of crisis, when teams feel overworked, hopeless, and angry at the organisation, how do we expect to overcome the crisis?

Companies invest in strategy, technology, and efficiency. But true resilience isn’t built on processes alone - it’s rooted in people. Prioritising their well-being before challenges arise helps create a foundation of trust and stability, ensuring they stay engaged when it matters most.

Let’s stop seeing burnout as an individual failure and start recognising it as a business risk. Because the real differentiator isn’t just what we do - it’s how we take care of the people who make it happen.