The Slow Burn of Burnout Starts 2 Years Before Burnout - Yes really!

Hey you

Let’s talk about burnout. We hear about it, but no one really talks about how it sneaks in. Burnout isn’t that big, dramatic “collapse” moment we picture. No, it creeps up on you. It slips under the radar, until one day, you wake up and realise—you’re done. 

I know, because I lived it. I literally woke up one day, and it all fell apart. I never saw the signs until it was too late. And I don’t want that for you. So, with some serious reflection and a lot of learning, here’s what I wish I had known earlier.

🧡 Saying “Yes” to Everything (And Running on Empty) 

Here’s the truth: I was the “yes” person. “Can you do this? Can you help with that? Sure, I’ve got this.” But guess what? My body was already running on fumes. I didn’t feel it right away, though. I thought I could handle it. I thought I was just being productive. But each “yes” I said to others was a “no” to myself.

If you're saying "yes" to everything, you're burning out without even realising it. It feels normal until you're completely drained and wondering, “where did I go?”

🧡 2. Sleep? Forget It.  

Sleep? Oh, that used to be a priority. But then, around two years before I burnt out, I started waking up at 3:03 a.m. My mind was racing. My body was screaming, "I need rest!" But my mind? It was caught in the loop of work, tasks, and unprocessed stress. 

Sound familiar? That’s your nervous system losing the battle. It’s not just tiredness—it’s disconnection from your body’s needs.

If you’re waking up tired every single day, that’s your nervous system sending you a message: “We need a reset.” But most of us just ignore it until it’s too late.

🧡 Me-Time? What’s That?  

I used to think I didn’t have time for myself. Between work, life, and family, who’s got time for hobbies, or even just sitting in silence? But here’s the thing: I started losing my own identity in all of it. The things that used to bring me joy? They were the first to go.

When you stop making space for yourself and let your needs slide—your nervous system starts to shut down. And you might not even notice until you’re emotionally numb and wondering where your joy went.

🧡 Perfectionism Is A Silent Killer  

I became obsessed with perfection. If something wasn’t done exactly right, I felt like I had failed. But that “perfectionism” kept me running on adrenaline and stress. It kept me feeling like I had to do more to be enough. But guess what? It’s a trap. And it drains you faster than you can blink.

That constant pressure to be perfect? It’s a surefire way to burn out. Because perfection is an illusion. And if you keep chasing it, you’ll lose yourself along the way.

🧡 Emotional Numbing: The Quiet Fade  

Remember when life felt alive? When your work made you excited and your social plans sparked joy? Yeah, that was before burnout started taking over. I didn’t notice the emotional fade at first. But the numbness crept in, little by little. I was going through the motions, but I wasn’t really living.

This is the hardest one! 

You don’t notice you’re emotionally checked out until it’s too late. The energy you used to have for the things you loved? Gone. And it’s not just exhaustion—it’s a loss of connection with what truly matters.

Why You’re Missing These Signs  

Here’s the problem: we’ve been brainwashed into thinking this is normal!

Society tells us that hustle equals success. That if we’re not on all the time, we’re failing. So, we push. We ignore our bodies, we deny the signs, and we keep telling ourselves it’ll get better “when things calm down.” 

But here’s the thing: it won’t. It won’t get better. It’ll just keep getting worse. 

We’ve been sold this myth that success is earned by sacrificing our well-being. We’ve been told that slowing down is for the weak, and that’s just plain wrong. It’s a lie that’s keeping us trapped.

So, What If You Stopped?  

Look, burnout isn’t a badge of honour. It’s not a sign of success. It’s a clear signal that something needs to change. I didn’t listen when my body was talking to me. I didn’t pause when I should have. And I don’t want that for you.

What if you stopped running on empty? What if you made yourself the priority for once? What if you chose to disconnect from the chaos and just breathe?

You don’t have to keep pushing through. You don’t have to sacrifice your sanity for your success. This isn’t about quitting—it’s about choosing to live differently.

You get to choose your energy. You get to say no when it’s too much. You get to prioritise YOU. 

After all, you are your number one asset, right?

This Isn’t a Life Overhaul, It’s a Reconnection  

I get it. You don’t have the energy or time to flip your life upside down. And you don’t need to. The change starts with small shifts! Tiny moments of reconnection with yourself. It’s about slowing down, not in a way that feels like giving up, but in a way that helps you get back to your flow.

I promise you, that you can live with the energy to sustain, not drain.

It’s about doing things differently and finding your flow. You don’t have to be trapped in the hustle. You don’t have to burn out. You can have the life you want without sacrificing your physical and emotional health. But it starts with reclaiming your power, making intentional shifts, and saying “enough” to the grind.

Your #RebelMoment Starts Now  

Stop waiting for permission. But if you really need it, know that I am giving you permission right now! Your nervous system has been working overtime, and now it’s your turn to give it what it needs. 

Pause. Listen. You don’t need to fix everything all at once. 

You just need to start showing up for yourself. You’ve been pushing for so long—now it’s time to reset realign + Rise into your flow.

Remember, superstar—you’re not your burnout. You’re more than that. Trust!

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Ready to Break Free from the Cycle of Overdoing + find your FLOW?

On The Mat with Nat isn’t your typical yoga class. Forget sun salutations and standard sequences — that’s not how we do yoga here. These are practices to reset your nervous system so you can actually focus, feel clear, and move through the week like the superstar you are!.  

Ready to ditch the tight shoulders, busy mind, and endless doing? Jump In

Hungry for more than just an hour’s session?  

The Seasonal Slumber Party is your secret weapon to hit pause before you hit the wall. It’s where high-achieving people like you stop hustling and rediscover what it feels like to drop into that flow state. Sign Up Here

Sick and tired of the grind? Lost that spark and not even sure why?  

It’s time to talk. I’ve been there, and I got you! Let’s Chat.

Not sure and want to dip your toe in first? I get it.  

Subscribe to Nat’s Natterings for weekly reminders to step off the hamster wheel and start living from a place of calm inner power. Get on the List.

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About Nat

Nat Creasy, aka Your Burnout Bestie, doesn’t sugarcoat the hustle—she calls it out for what it is: an exhausting lie that’s making us all sick. As a Nervous System Mentor, Nat shows people how to break free from the cycle of exhaustion and overthinking, helping them operate from a place of power, flow, and clarity — meditation in motion.

She gets it. After 18 months knocked flat by burnout, Nat learned the hard way that constant striving is a trap. Now, she’s all about flow—teaching people that the real win isn’t about doing more; it’s about learning how ride the waves of life with ease, in flow. Meditation In Motion. It’s about listening to your body, resetting your nervous system, and coming at life from a place of easeful power that fuels lasting success.

Tired of running on empty? It’s time to Reset Realign + Rise 

www.littlesoulshack.com