Eyes burning, head foggy, and all I wanted to do was sleep. It was just another day stuck in an office, exhausted and going nowhere and my bed was calling me.

Instead of being excited to spend some time in the evening with my family, all I wanted to do was to have a beautiful cup of tea and go to bed.

Sound familiar?

I’m writing this post from experience. I know what it’s like to work long hours, doing unappreciated work long after the 5pm finish. As a teacher, burnout was almost expected, especially during OFSTED inspections or exam season.

Fast forward a few years to becoming a freelance copywriter working from home where I believed that I would have dream hours, and a dream schedule, right?

Well, not exactly. Life isn’t always so simple.

At first, I was juggling a copywriting diploma while also freelancing for small businesses outside of my 9am – 5pm job. I thought I’d left the classroom for an easier life, but in reality, I just swapped one form of burnout for another.

It wasn’t until I made the scary decision to quit that 9am–5pm job and focus entirely on my business that I finally started to thrive.

And whilst making that decision to leave the security in having this job was scary, one thing became crystal clear: burnout had been holding me back far more than I realised.

Waking up exhausted every day, dragging myself through tasks, and giving only fragments of my energy to everything was only slowing me down even more. But the fear of losing stability kept me stuck, not just professionally, but personally too.

Each job only ever got a fraction of me. And the little energy I had left? That went to my family — who, frankly, deserved more than the exhausted version of me I was handing over.

Leadership isn’t about surviving on fumes and doing everything at once, it’s about showing up with energy, purpose, and clarity. If you’re running on empty, you’re not just burning yourself out: you’re capping your own potential.

So, what are some of the warning signs of burnout?

Simply put: exhaustion!

At least, that was the main symptom for me.

If you’re constantly tired, losing motivation, feeling irritable, doubting yourself, struggling with sleep, these are all classic signs that you are burnt out. Don’t just take my word for it, you can find out more about burnout and stress on the HSE website: https://www2.hse.ie/mental-health/issues/stress/

I spent nearly two years feeling this way: exhausted, overwhelmed with self-doubt, and questioning whether I was even capable of achieving my dream of building my own business.

And here’s the thing, when you’re burnt out, self-destructive habits creep in which will inevitably have only a negative impact on the goals that you are trying to achieve.

Instead of taking action (outreaching, growing your skills), you procrastinate.

Instead of recharging your body (going for a walk, getting outside), you might find yourself stress-eating or isolating.

Now that you recognise the signs, what can you do about it?

Whilst leaving the 9am–5pm job worked out for me, it’s not the only solution and I would not recommend such a big step to everyone. Only you can decide if and when that’s the right path. Plus, you might be burnt out without an additional job, and there are many ways you can address this burnout effectively and start reclaiming your energy:

1. Manage Your Time with Intention

 The better you manage your time, the more space you create for yourself at the end of the day, and this will look different for everyone.

Maybe you have a young family, or you have side projects or maybe life feels chaotic and there seems to be no escape to your endless responsibilities. Trust me, there is. Structure your days with a realistic plan that honours your real life. Make a timetable if you need to and prioritise these tasks effectively, leaving some time for you at some point in the day.

2. Take Time for You

 I know, I know, when you’re already burnt out, the idea of “making time for yourself” can feel impossible. But the truth is, making time for you is non-negotiable.

You might feel like it’s a waste of time when you could be working on your business, but actually prioritising yourself makes you a better leader, a better business owner, and a better human.

Look at that time schedule you just made, now block out time for whatever fills your cup:
Family time, a long walk, an afternoon reading, a few hours on the golf course. Whatever it is, just do it. Please note here that I am not telling you to neglect your work, just take the break your mind and body are begging for, so you come back stronger.

3. Move your Body and fuel your Mind

 Now, I’m not a personal trainer or a dietitian, I am just someone who’s lived through it and has the life experience to know how important it is to take care of your body and mind.

If you spend all day hunched over a laptop, it’s essential to get up and move. You don’t have to be a PT to know this one. Just get up and go for a walk, hit the gym, try yoga or get some fresh air, whatever floats your boat. If you’re stuck for time, can you spare 20-minutes as part of your lunch break and get out for a walk? Start with 20-minutes if you are stuck for time and build on this when you can.

And eat well. I know it’s basic advice, but it’s important. Do you remember that saying ‘you are what you eat?’. Well, if you want to be a leader who builds something incredible, then you need to treat your body and mind the same way that you treat your business. Your mindset starts with how you fuel your body.

Everyone’s journey is different, for me choosing energy and self-care over exhaustion wasn’t just a nice idea for me, it was the turning point in my career and home life which allowed me to build, lead and live life to the fullest. The truth is that you can’t lead from a place of exhaustion. Protect your energy! Not just for your business, but for yourself, and for the people who need to see the best of you, not the burnt-out version.