It’s Not Burnout — You’re Just Doing Too Much Dumb Sh*t

Let’s just say it: you’re exhausted, not because life is too hard, but because you’re juggling 47 unnecessary things and calling it "balance."

You’re not broken. You’re just tired of managing chaos you volunteered for. You keep handing out your time and energy like there’s a never-ending supply — and then wonder why you’re running on fumes.

Let’s break it down.

You’re training five days a week, trying to meal prep like a pro, staying up late scrolling because you “need to unwind,” signing up for committees, helping everyone with their problems, and mentally carrying your family, your job, your group chat, and your dog’s unhealed emotional wounds. And somehow, you think you're failing because you're tired.

That’s not burnout. That’s being overwhelmed by stuff that doesn’t matter that much.

Burnout gets thrown around a lot, but most of the time, it’s not because of the gym or your job or parenting or even life in general — it’s because you keep saying yes to things that suck your energy dry and no to things that restore you.

You know what restores you? Boundaries. Sleep. Movement. Saying no. Laughing. Taking a damn break. Lifting heavy and going home. Being unavailable on purpose. Letting go of being everything for everyone.

But that’s hard, right? Because for a long time, you learned that your worth is tied to your output. That rest is lazy. That saying no is selfish. That slowing down is weak.

Let’s be honest: some of you are addicted to chaos. You don’t know who you are when you’re not rushing or fixing or proving. It feels weird to not have 10 things going at once. You confuse overwhelm with purpose.

You start your day already behind. You end it wondering where your time went. And in between, you’re checking boxes that don’t actually lead you anywhere you want to be.

That’s not your fault. But it is your responsibility to change.

Because here’s the truth: doing less doesn’t mean you’re doing nothing. It means you’re doing the right things. The things that matter. The things that move the needle.

You don’t need another planner. You need a reality check. You need to look at your life and ask, “Does this serve me, or is this just noise?”

Sometimes the noise is loud because it's familiar. Busyness can feel like comfort. But at some point, you have to choose your peace over your pattern.

Simplicity isn’t sexy. It doesn’t get applause. No one claps for boundaries and 8 hours of sleep. But those are the things that build strength. Not just physical strength — mental and emotional grit. The kind that keeps you steady when life throws real challenges at you.

So if you feel like you’re burning out, start by asking this: What dumb shit am I doing that I don’t actually need to be doing?*

Then stop doing it.

Maybe it’s not that you need to push harder. Maybe you just need to stop pushing in 14 different directions at once.

Try this instead: choose five things. Five priorities. Five actions that genuinely make your life better. Give those your best energy. Let the rest fall where it may.

You want peace? Simplify. Protect your energy. Let go of the things you took on out of guilt, habit, or people-pleasing. Get clear on what actually fuels you.

Burnout isn’t always a signal to quit. Sometimes, it’s a nudge to stop over-performing.

Do less. But do it better.

Your nervous system will thank you.