Burnout Called—I Sent It to Voicemail
Hitting "Ignore" on Burnout
You know that moment when your phone buzzes, and it’s that one contact you really don’t want to deal with? That’s burnout calling. It’s relentless, sneaky, and shows up when you’re already juggling too much. But here’s the thing—I’ve learned to hit "ignore" and let it go to voicemail. Burnout doesn’t get to run my life anymore, and I’m here to share how I got there. Spoiler: it involves a lot of saying "no" and a little bit of strategic napping.
The First Signs of Burnout
Burnout doesn’t just show up with a neon sign. It’s more like a slow creep. At work, it’s that sinking feeling when your inbox feels like a black hole, or when you’re staring at a spreadsheet and your brain just... checks out. In life, it’s snapping at your partner over who forgot to buy milk or feeling like your favorite hobby suddenly feels like a chore. For me, it was when I started dreading work in general when I used to enjoy it and when my coffee order went from "latte" to "quadruple espresso." Physically, you might feel exhausted even after sleeping. Mentally, you’re foggy, cynical, or just done. That’s burnout knocking, and it’s time to stop answering the door.
How I Learned to Set Limits
I used to think I could outrun burnout by working harder. Spoiler alert: that’s like trying to fix a flat tire by driving faster. Here’s what actually worked:
Set boundaries like a boss. I started saying no to non-essential tasks. That extra project? Not today. That 7 p.m. meeting? Hard pass. I used tools like calendar blocks to protect my time.
Delegate or ditch. If it’s not critical, it can wait—or someone else can handle it. I stopped being the hero who does everything.
Check in with yourself. I started noticing when I was running on fumes. A quick mental scan—am I irritable? Foggy? Exhausted?—helped me catch burnout early.
Unplug intentionally. No emails after 6 p.m. I would like to say no doom scrolling before bed but come on who doesn't love it - just set yourself a limit. I take no phone walks where I ditch the phone at home and focus on the kiddo.
These limits didn’t just happen. They took practice, a bit of guilt, and a lot of reminding myself that I’m not a robot.
How to "Send Burnout to Voicemail"
Here’s the fun part—actively rejecting burnout like it’s an annoying telemarketer. Try these:
Create intentional breaks. Schedule a 10-minute walk, a quick stretch, or a power nap (yes, naps are a superpower). I keep a "no-meeting" hour every day to just breathe - maybe its even just your lunch hour or the first hour of the day.
Say no like it’s your job. Politely decline that extra commitment. “Thanks for thinking of me, but I’m at capacity” is my go-to line.
Recalibrate priorities. I made a list of what actually matters—family, health, that one hobby that makes me happy (hello, reading). Everything else gets a lower rank.
Celebrate small wins. Finished a report? Take a moment to savor it. Burnout thrives on making you feel like nothing’s enough, so fight back with gratitude.
Think of it like building a mental spam filter. Burnout keeps calling, but you get to decide what gets through.
You Don’t Have to Answer Every Call
Burnout may call, but you don’t have to pick up every time. It’s okay to let it go to voicemail, to rest, to say no, and to prioritize yourself. The world won’t fall apart if you take a breather, but you might just rediscover the energy to tackle what matters most. So next time burnout dials in, hit "ignore" and go live your life.