Burnout Prevention: In Community
January 21, 2026
Burnout: Address Early Warning Signs
February 4, 2026
We have talked about what burnout is: the erosion of resilience until you are exhausted in a way that rest doesn’t fix. Staying resilient includes having your own healthy routines and tapping into ongoing support. This week, we focus on the need to use your curiosity to predict what might come next. Whether life is challenging now, or you can see a problem coming, looking ahead gives you a chance to make adjustments before the path you are on is washed out.
If your internal monologue is already “I just can’t do this, but I have no choice,” pause. Yes, planning takes time and energy but not doing so risks full burnout which harms you, and those you care about.
Take time and energy now to listen, research, assess, and decide to protect your own resilience.
Listen to Yourself
You have a choice about what you say to yourself, and what you believe from others. During stressful times you may be thinking, “I need to keep going.” Other people might say “you can do it, you are strong.” Take back the narrative; tell yourself the truth. If you are one person doing the job of 3, then you are strong and tired. You are capable and overextended. If you keep thinking, “I can’t keep going like this,” believe yourself. You are not obliged to go until you break. Look for solutions that work for you. As you do this remember that you too have needs. Pay attention to how you truly think and feel. You deserve balance, support, and care so that you can thrive.
Research
Gathering information about possible options is an internal and external process. It requires paying attention to the constant changes in life. If your parents are slowing down, or your job market is changing, take time to think about how these shifts will impact you. Talk over your thoughts with someone who has experience who can provide you with more information. Think back to similar changes in your own, or others’ lives for insight. Looking ahead to a challenge is scary, and at the same time allows you to prepare. If a change is sudden, finding someone who can help you manage the first step or two is vital. This is where caring people with experience can make all the difference. As you gather information daydream or write out what a day and week with these challenges might look like.
Assess Resources
Consider what resources you have to meet the current and potential demands in your life. Take a clear-eyed view of your finances, time, and energy. “I’ll manage” isn’t an assessment. Consider details such as who might help and what would be helpful. In depth conversations with others may be needed. Check out possible resources in your community. Ask questions about family leave of absence, short term disability, or insurance plans. At the start you may not know all the questions to ask but as time goes on you can get a better sense of what you have and what you may need. Research is time-consuming, but can reveal options and limitations that allow you to make better decisions.
Decide on a Plan
At some point decisions will need to be made with the knowledge and resources you have. “I’ll do what I can with what I have,” is not a path to prevent burnout. Decisions can be hard, and they can also be freeing. Cutting back on one responsibility, so you have time for a new one is a clearer choice. Asking for specific help or accessing a service are tangible steps toward managing new demands. Rearranging your schedule or responsibilities to make the next phase doable makes a difference. Keep self-care in your schedule. It is not selfish to keep your regular workout routine, connections with your most supportive friends, and activities that bring you joy. This is part of managing your new stage of life.
Burnout prevention includes higher level planning about your schedule, responsibilities, money, and time. As life shifts, you may need to change a few things or a lot. Listening to yourself, researching options, assessing resources, and making decisions are important steps in balancing the demands of life with your own capacity to cope.
Peace,
Laura
This is the fourth blog in our Burnout Prevention Series. Catch up on the first three here: Burnout: an Introduction, Burnout Prevention: Personal Habits, Burnout Prevention: In Community.
Laura is available for Resilience Coaching for those who would like to know more about what thriving looks like for you. Learn more and schedule a free discovery call at https://learnmodelteach.com/coaching/.
