When Burnout Doesn’t Look Like Burnout: My Journey from Survival to Healing
For a long time, I kept my struggles with career burnout, anxiety, and sleepless nights to myself. I thought if I just pushed through, things would eventually get better. But here’s what I learned: the very stories we’re most afraid to tell are often the ones that can heal ourselves and others.
When the opportunity came to contribute to the book “Being The One: How to Lead Boldly & Live Your Vision,” I knew it was time. Time to speak openly about what burnout really looked like in my life — and in the lives of some of the women I’ve worked with. Time to share how choosing to heal became my greatest act of leadership.
Writing my chapter, When Burnout Doesn’t Look Like Burnout, wasn’t just about putting words on a page. It was about reclaiming my voice, owning my truth, and extending a hand to women who might feel like they’re fighting the same silent battle.
My mission is to support women professionals and business owners in spotting the early signs of burnout and doing something about it before they hit a wall.
Becoming The One I Was Born to Be
What if “being The One” isn’t about waiting for someone else — but choosing to become the one you were born to be?
That question runs through Being The One: How to Lead Boldly & Live Your Vision. It’s a powerful collection of real, raw, and radiant stories from 22 visionary leaders who chose courage over fear, healing over hiding, and alignment over appearances.
When I was invited to contribute, I knew exactly what I had to share: how burnout disguised itself in my life — and how I turned that pain into a mission to help other women heal before they hit a wall.
My Story: Burnout in Disguise
Burnout didn’t crash into my life with one dramatic breakdown. It came quietly, hidden behind a polished smile.
On the outside, I was thriving in corporate Human Resources. On the inside, I was drowning in panic attacks, sleepless nights, and an anxiety that left me breathless. I’ll never forget sitting in a neurologist’s office as she said, “I don’t know what else to do other than increase your medication.” That sentence haunted me.
I wasn’t against medication, but I knew numbing symptoms wasn’t the same as healing. I didn’t want to just function. I wanted to feel alive again.
I used to wear burnout like a badge of honor — smiling on the outside while crumbling on the inside. Now I know burnout isn’t weakness. It’s misalignment. And misalignment can be healed.
Stories That Stay With Me
In my chapter, I also share the stories of women I’ve worked with, because burnout has many faces.
✨ Sofia’s rage wasn’t about her boss. It was about a childhood of being silenced. With tapping, she released years of suppressed anger and found her power again.
✨ Vanessa’s insomnia wasn’t about bad sleep habits. It was about never feeling safe. Through our work, she experienced her first full nights of rest in decades.
These stories remind me that burnout doesn’t always scream. Sometimes, it whispers. Both are equally powerful invitations to heal.
Why I Started UFlourish Coaching
Healing taught me three lessons that now shape everything I do at UFlourish Coaching:
You can’t heal what you refuse to feel.
Strength isn’t silence.
You are allowed to choose yourself.
Today, I help women uncover the emotional patterns, beliefs, and survival habits that silently drain them. Together, we use:
✔️ Somatic techniques to release stress and regulate the nervous system.
✔️ Root-Cause Inquiry to identify hidden drivers like people-pleasing or perfectionism.
✔️ Compassionate Accountability so women feel seen, supported, and aligned again.
This isn’t about quitting everything. It’s about learning to live differently — in a way that feels sustainable, nourishing, and deeply true.
My work is fueled by curiosity, compassion, and the belief that every woman can rise again. My mantra is simple: You were born to rise, not run — to live with heart, not just get things done.
A Kind Step Forward
If my story resonates with you, I’d love to gift you a free resource: Release Stress Instantly and Prevent Burnout: 5 Easy Steps You Can Use Right Away to Feel Better → uflourishcoaching.com/freeresources
And if you’d like to read my full chapter — along with the stories of 21 other bold leaders — you can find Being The One: How to Lead Boldly & Live Your Vision on Amazon.
At UFlourish Coaching, I believe burnout doesn’t have to be your breaking point. It can be your turning point — the moment you choose yourself and begin living fully again.
Remember, healing doesn’t happen in giant leaps — it begins with small, kind steps. And sometimes, the smallest step is simply giving yourself permission to begin.
With love and gratitude,
Elisa
FAQs
You may still have questions about burnout and healing, so I’ve answered some of the most common ones below
Q: How do I know if I’m experiencing burnout?
Burnout can look like fatigue, irritability, sleepless nights, or carrying a heaviness you can’t explain. If you’re always “on” and never rested, burnout may be present.
Q: Can EFT Tapping really help with burnout?
Yes. Research shows EFT lowers cortisol, the stress hormone. It calms the nervous system and helps the body release old patterns.
Q: Do I need to leave my job to heal burnout?
Not always. Burnout begins with misalignment, not just workload. Healing starts with addressing patterns, then making choices from a grounded place.
Q: Is burnout only about work stress?
No. Burnout often grows from survival habits, unresolved trauma, or environments where you don’t feel safe or seen. Work can magnify it, but the roots go deeper.
Most of all, I want you to know you don’t have to walk this journey alone. If you feel ready to explore how healing burnout at the root can change your life, I invite you to schedule a free clarity call with me. Together, we’ll uncover what’s keeping you stuck and map out a kind, doable next step toward alignment and ease.
