Burnout Isn’t Always the End — Sometimes It’s the Beginning of a Better Way

Between 2018 and 2020, I was working, being a mum, and trying to stay sane while experiencing a lot of anxiety and depression.

I was working in the education system. And burnout was very prominent. I was myself at risk of burnout, but not because of my workplace (I now know, in hindsight). I was quietly burning out because I was not looking after myself well, and I hated the work I was doing. I was super negative, and completely disempowered.

Until I got a coach. more on this below…

In one workplace, under one set of pressures, I saw two very different experiences play out.

Some were overwhelmed, fatigued, and checked out. Others were calm, connected, and still enjoying life.

Christina Maslach’s research on burnout helped me understand why. She outlines six key factors that shape burnout risk:

• Workload: More work on fewer shoulders after waves of redundancies

• Control: High pressure, low autonomy

• Reward: Little recognition, only more demands

• Community: Isolation and complaint-driven conversations

• Fairness: Top-down decisions, little transparency

• Values: Disconnection from the original “why”

I wasn’t imagining it. The system was broken.
But what fascinated me most was how some people still stayed well — despite all of it.

The answer? Self-leadership.

Here’s what those well individuals had in common:

• They had clear personal boundaries and said no when needed

• They built micro-communities: uplifting lunch breaks, walking groups, shared joy (no gossiping and whinging).

• They invested in life outside work — hobbies, fitness, family, creativity

• They stayed focused on their values, not just performance

• They clarified their priorities with their leaders, instead of assuming everything was urgent

• They rewarded themselves even when their organisation didn’t

They didn’t wait for permission.

They didn’t wait for the system to get better.

They made the changes they could.

When I finally got a coach, everything shifted.

I started recognising how much influence I actually had.
Yes, I eventually left that role and started my own business — but I didn’t burn out before I did.

Because I stopped blaming.
I started choosing.

And that’s what I now help others do, every single day.

You don’t need to wait for burnout to break everything open.
You can start now — with one better choice:

• Revisit your values

• Reclaim your time

• Reach out for support

• Ask: What’s in my control today?

I support individuals through 1:1 coaching, and teams through workplace wellbeing programs. Whether you’re on the edge of burnout or already shifting gears, let’s build a strategy that supports you — and what matters most.

📅 Book a strategy call now: https://calendly.com/sophieandersoncoach/initial