How to Stop the Burnout Spiral: A Tired Parent’s First Step to Feeling Like Yourself Again

8 weeks to Recharge Series: Week 1

The Personal Story

I still remember the night it all caught up with me. The dishes were piled high, the laundry was spilling out of baskets, and I was sitting on the edge of my bed staring at the wall — too tired to even cry. I had spent the whole day moving from one task to the next, never catching my breath, and yet it felt like I hadn’t actually gotten anything done.

That’s when it hit me: I was burned out.

Not just tired.

Not just stressed.

Truly burned out — running on empty and running out of myself.

The Realization

The scary part was realizing that this wasn’t just a bad day. It was becoming my normal. And the more I ignored it, the worse it got. I wasn’t showing up the way I wanted to for my child, my partner, or myself. I was snapping at little things, dragging my feet through the day, and feeling like I was losing pieces of who I used to be.

I realized something had to change. Because if I kept going like this, burnout wasn’t just going to wear me down — it was going to take away the joy of parenting altogether.

The Shift

It didn’t happen overnight, but we started making small shifts. Not massive lifestyle overhauls — just little choices that added up. Things like giving myself permission to pause, writing down my “must-do’s” instead of carrying them all in my head, and carving out even ten minutes for myself without guilt.

Slowly, I started to feel human again. Less like I was spiraling, more like I was standing on steady ground.

Helping Others

I know I’m not the only parent who has felt stuck in the burnout spiral. Maybe you’re there right now — tired, overwhelmed, and wondering if things will ever feel easier. If that’s you, I want you to know this: you are not alone, and it doesn’t have to stay this way.

That’s why I created this 8-week series for tired parents — not to add more to your already full plate, but to offer small, realistic steps that can help you feel like yourself again.

This week is all about recognizing burnout and stopping the spiral before it pulls you under. I’ll be sharing tools, reflections, and encouragement to help you pause, reset, and start feeling a little lighter.

A Gentle Look Ahead

And next week, we’ll take another step forward — learning how to smooth out the daily chaos with simple, steady routines that actually make life feel lighter instead of heavier.