If you’re here, chances are you’ve hit a wall. You’re exhausted, uninspired, and maybe even questioning everything about your business. You know you’re burned out – but instead of stopping, you’ve been recovering from burnout (or trying to) the only way you know how: with more effort. A rest routine, a new planner, or maybe even a color-coded calendar.

But friend, recovering from burnout doesn’t happen just because you finally remembered to drink water for 2 days in a row. It takes a real pause, intentional reflection, and a better plan moving forward.

Here’s what I walk my coaching clients through when burnout hits hard—and how you can recover, rebuild, and create a work life that actually feels sustainable.

“Recovering from burnout doesn’t happen just because you finally remembered to drink water for 2 days in a row.”

Step 1: Pause

Let’s start with the hardest part.

The number one mistake I see burned out entrepreneurs make is jumping straight into a rigorous rest plan. We’re so used to doing that we try to do rest, too – complete with goals and to-do lists. But when truly recovering from burnout, you need to take a real pause. No expectations. No agendas.

So here’s your challenge: Take a minimum of 48 hours of absolutely nothing productive. That means:

• No work
• No side projects
• No “catching up” on tasks like cleaning your kitchen cabinets
• Laundry only if you must

Instead, do whatever you feel like doing in the moment. Stare at the wall. Take a long walk. Play with your kids. Bake cookies. Watch clouds float by. The goal is to quiet your nervous system, not fill your time.

You’re not lazy. You’re recovering.

Step 2: Reset

After you pause, it’s tempting to dive right back into business as usual. Recovering from burnout is great, but if you want to stay out of burnout, you need to build in tools and habits that help you regulate, not just react.

This is the part where we explore what helps you maintain your energy over time. You don’t need to become a yoga guru overnight, but you do need to give yourself outlets that help you release pressure before it builds up.

Here are some ways to reset and reconnect with your body and mind:

• Take daily or weekly walks without your phone
• Try guided meditations on YouTube or Headspace
• Learn simple breathing exercises
• Schedule a weekly “luxury” self-care moment – think a long bath, a solo coffee date, or 30 guilt-free minutes reading a novel
• Start a screen-free “decompression ritual” you can use at the end of a workday (candles, music, journaling – whatever helps)

Step 3: Reframe

Now we dig in.

Grab your journal, your favorite pen, and set aside some quiet time. Burnout usually isn’t just about overworking—it’s about the stories we tell ourselves about what’s required, what’s allowed, and what success should look like.

Ask yourself:

• Are your deadlines based on your ideal client’s expectations, or what you actually need as a business owner?
• Are you overworking because you think it’s the only way to pay the bills? If so, what are your other options?
• Do you force yourself to “power through” even when you’re drained? What’s your plan for those low-energy days?

This is the heart of the work I do in coaching. We uncover the beliefs and habits keeping you stuck in burnout cycles, and we shift them so you can build a business that supports you instead of draining you.

Step 4: Strategize

Once you’ve rested and reframed, it’s time to rebuild.

What needs to change in your work life?

• Maybe you raise your prices and work with fewer clients.
• Maybe you let go of the types of projects (or clients) that suck the joy out of your day.
• Maybe you restructure your week to protect your most creative energy.

But remember: Recovering from burnout isn’t about flipping a switch. It’s about building a bridge from where you are to where you want to be.

Take time to create a clear, aligned vision of what your ideal workweek looks like, and build a step-by-step plan to move toward it.

Need help doing that? This is where coaching can be powerful. I help creatives and entrepreneurs clarify their vision, create a sustainable strategy, and build the confidence to actually follow through. You don’t have to do it alone.

Step 5: Keep Moving (at the Right Pace)

Finally – now you can get back to work. But this time, you’re not running on fumes or pressure or hustle. You’re moving with intention.

You’re no longer in survival mode.

You’ve paused. You’ve reset. You’ve reframed. You’ve strategized.

And now you’re ready to keep moving forward, one aligned, sustainable step at a time.

---

Ready to Build a Business That Supports You?

If you’re tired of running on empty and ready to create a business that feels energizing instead of exhausting, I can help.

I offer 1:1 coaching for creatives and entrepreneurs who want to grow their business without sacrificing their well-being. We trade in cookie-cutter advice for custom strategies that actually fit your life – no burnout required.

➡️ Book a free discovery call to get started! In this call, we’ll talk through exactly where you’re struggling and build a roadmap to take you from burnout to brilliance.

And if you’re not ready for coaching just yet, join my email list or follow along on Instagram for weekly inspiration, tools, and real talk about business and balance.

Join the Email List

You don’t have to hustle harder. You just need a better plan – and some space to breathe.