There comes a point in every high-achiever’s journey when the outer success no longer matches the inside story.
At that point, the titles, milestones, accolades and recognition can’t cover the silent exhaustion and burnout, hidden identity loss, or the loneliness of trying to “have it all” without falling apart.
I know that season all too well.
That’s why I said “Yes” (nervously but wholeheartedly) when Edith Karimi invited me to have an honest conversation on her YouTube platform, The Woman Experience. I accepted even though it terrified me and meant going way out of my comfort zone!
It’s a four-part conversation that explores themes many women feel but rarely talk about openly:
- The breakdowns behind the mask of success
- Overwhelm and burnout
- The loneliness of success and leadership
- The emotional exhaustion from living to meet expectations
- The deep longing to reset and rebuild on our own terms
“I Was Tired of Pretending”: A Conversation About Burnout, Healing, and Resetting Your Life
In Episode 1, titled “I Was Tired of Pretending,” we dive deep into the messy space of transition and healing as we talk about emotional burnout, identity loss, and the hidden struggles behind external success.
You can watch Episode 1 below, or click here to watch it directly on YouTube.
What Is In Episode 1
I share my story of moving from burnout and deep emotional turmoil as I grew in my career, to quitting employment for a business that failed, and finally finding joy and purpose in my career as a Life Coach.
You will learn:
- Why success doesn’t have to cost your soul
- How to recognize the early signs of burnout and emotional breakdown
- The difference between therapy, coaching, and self-help, and how to know what support you need
- How to hold space for yourself even while holding space and being strong for others
- What to do when you feel like you’re falling apart inside but life demands you stay “on top” of your performance
- What it takes to rebuild from the inside out after hitting emotional rock bottom
Don’t Just Watch, Take Action
As you watch or listen to this episode, I invite you to do more than just watch. Take it personally and reflect on your own life and journey.
- In which spaces are you feeling tired, unseen, or overwhelmed?
- Where have you been pretending that everything is fine when deep down you know it’s not?
- Where are the cracks showing — the exhaustion you’ve normalized, the dreams you’ve buried quietly?
- What would it look like to stop carrying it all alone and start tending to yourself with the same care you give others?
Burnout doesn’t just happen from doing too much. It often comes from abandoning ourselves too often.
So pause, reflect, and give yourself permission to acknowledge the hard truths and the hidden hopes. Healing often begins with honesty, and this might be your first step back to yourself.
Allow this conversation between Edith and I to be a mirror, a safe space for your healing and reset. Journal your thoughts. Share with a trusted friend. Or simply let the insights land gently and inspire the next brave step in your journey.
Why This Matters
Many women are quietly carrying heavy emotional loads while continuing to show up as leaders, mothers, business owners, and partners. Behind the polished exterior, there’s often fatigue, loneliness, and a deep unvoiced longing for something more authentic and sustainable.
This conversation isn’t just about burnout. It’s about permission – permitting yourself to stop pretending, pause, heal, and begin again.
This conversation is also for you if you’ve been pushing through, feeling stuck, or silently breaking down while trying to “have it all.” True success isn’t just about what you accomplish; it’s also about who you become and how deeply you honour yourself as you work towards your goals.
And remember that you don’t have to walk through tough seasons alone. Healing, growth, and rising again are all possible, and you deserve them all.
What’s Coming Next
This is just Part 1 of a four-part series with Edith Karimi. Here’s a peek at the episodes:
- “I Was Tired of Pretending”
- When You Finally Choose You: The Good, The Hard, and The Necessary
- How to Do Less and Achieve More
- From Overwhelmed to Empowered – The Secret to Designing a Life That Serves You
I’ll share the other episodes here as they are published. And trust me, it only gets better and deeper from here.
Over to You
I’d love to hear from you after you watch Episode 1. Which part of the conversation resonated with you most? Feel free to leave a comment below.
Here’s to your Reset and your Rise.
(Image and Video Credit: The Woman Experience on YouTube)
Ready for Your Own Reset?
If this conversation resonates with you and you feel called to start your own healing and growth journey, here are a few ways that I can help you take the next step:
➡️ Get The Clarity Blueprint for High-Achieving Women, my free 5-day email course: This free 5-day email course reveals the five common mistakes women make while climbing the success ladder and provides simple, actionable solutions. Gain clarity, avoid setbacks, and step into leadership with confidence.
➡️ Book a Discovery Call: Let’s explore how personalized coaching can support you to move from stuck to clear and empowered. Together, we can identify areas for growth and create a tailored plan to achieve your personal, professional, and leadership goals.
➡️ Book a 1-1 Clarity or Strategy Session: This is a focused session to help you break through a current challenge or decision point, and it’s ideal if you need a clear roadmap. You will get the clarity, direction, confidence, and strategy to move forward in your career, business, or personal life.
➡️ Join the 28 Days of Loving Yourself Challenge: This program is designed to help you prioritize self-care, self-love, and self-kindness.
