You ever hit that point where your body says, “Sis, we’re done” but your to-do list says, “We’re just getting started”? That’s how burnout creeps in — one “I got it” at a time.
The Blueprint We Inherited
I grew up surrounded by strong women who could cook Sunday dinner, braid three heads, pay bills, and comfort a neighbor — all in the same day. I thought that was just what we did. Until one day, my own body decided it was done with the 24/7 superhero role. Turns out, being strong without rest isn’t strength. It’s survival mode on repeat.
What Burnout Really Looks Like
Burnout isn’t just feeling tired — it’s your mind, body, and spirit waving a red flag. Why Black women are often at higher risk: Cultural expectations, generational patterns, and the unspoken “don’t stop” mentality pile up until exhaustion feels normal. We are so used to saying, “I’m tired” anytime someone asks us how we are doing, that we truly believe it’s normal. It is not normal to wake up feeling exhausted every day. It is not okay to live your life feeling forgetful and overwhelmed because you refuse to create and protect your boundaries. Sis, you’ve got to take off your cape.
What does burnout actually look like? Chronic fatigue, irritability, brain fog, headaches, digestive issues — these are all signs that your nervous system is overworked. Additionally, burnout can look like walking away from things and people you love because you no longer have the mental capacity to handle them. It can look like ignoring your phone even though you know you have over 100 unread texts to reply to. It can look like vegging out on the couch all weekend with the inability to make even the smallest decisions. It can feel like you’re stuck in a situation you don’t want to be in without the desire to even try.
The Hormone Tie-In: Typically, burnout comes from a long season of consistent stress. The stress we ignore because, “that’s just the way it is.” Ladies, chronic stress is one of the most common causes of hormonal imbalance. Stress spikes cortisol which disrupts your estrogen, progesterone, and thyroid hormones. That can mean mood swings, weight gain, sleep issues, and more intense PMS. This means that while you may mentally be ignoring the stress, your body is keeping the score.
My challenge to you this week is to get intentional about taking care of yourself. Manage your life, your schedule, and your health before it manages you.
