Here is something to remind yourself, a quote that I loved and a question to ask yourself for this week…
Something to remind yourself…
I recently shared on my socials that burnout isn’t always about long hours or heavy workloads. It’s often about the energy it takes to be someone you’re not. The response showed just how much this resonates with so many of you.
That’s why this week’s newsletter is dedicated to this important topic.
Many people think burnout happens because they work too much, but research shows that a major cause of burnout is emotional labor. The effort of suppressing your true feelings, opinions, and personality to fit in. Constantly adjusting to expectations that don’t align with who you are drains mental energy faster than a packed to-do list.
Authenticity isn’t just a feel-good concept, it’s a necessity for well-being. The more aligned you are with your values, the less mental load you carry. So if you feel drained, ask yourself: am I exhausted from my work or from pretending to be someone I’m not?
That’s why this week’s newsletter is dedicated to this important topic.
Many people think burnout happens because they work too much, but research shows that a major cause of burnout is emotional labor. The effort of suppressing your true feelings, opinions, and personality to fit in. Constantly adjusting to expectations that don’t align with who you are drains mental energy faster than a packed to-do list.
Authenticity isn’t just a feel-good concept, it’s a necessity for well-being. The more aligned you are with your values, the less mental load you carry. So if you feel drained, ask yourself: am I exhausted from my work or from pretending to be someone I’m not?
I.
Not every choice is truly a choice. Some are just expectations in disguise. The right degree. The stable career. The life that looks good on paper. But what about what feels right? The shift happens when the question changes from “What should I do?” to “What do I actually want?”
Authenticity isn’t about approval. It’s about alignment. Because the best life? It’s the one that fits you and keeps burnout away.
II.
We all say we want to “be ourselves.” Yet so many feel lost, stuck, or exhausted keeping up with a life that doesn’t fit.
From an early age, we’re conditioned to fit in—at home, at work, online. The result? A disconnect between who we are and who we think we should be. Research shows that this self-alienation leads to more stress, weaker relationships, and faster burnout.
If you feel like you’re constantly adjusting to expectations, ask yourself:
* Am I making choices for me or for others?
* What small step can I take today to be more me?
The world will always try to shape you. The real question is: Will you let it? Or will you choose yourself?
Not every choice is truly a choice. Some are just expectations in disguise. The right degree. The stable career. The life that looks good on paper. But what about what feels right? The shift happens when the question changes from “What should I do?” to “What do I actually want?”
Authenticity isn’t about approval. It’s about alignment. Because the best life? It’s the one that fits you and keeps burnout away.
II.
We all say we want to “be ourselves.” Yet so many feel lost, stuck, or exhausted keeping up with a life that doesn’t fit.
From an early age, we’re conditioned to fit in—at home, at work, online. The result? A disconnect between who we are and who we think we should be. Research shows that this self-alienation leads to more stress, weaker relationships, and faster burnout.
If you feel like you’re constantly adjusting to expectations, ask yourself:
* Am I making choices for me or for others?
* What small step can I take today to be more me?
The world will always try to shape you. The real question is: Will you let it? Or will you choose yourself?
A quote that I loved…
The version of you who has it all, starts the second you say f*ck it.
– Herinnerglo
A question to ask yourself…
If I keep living this way, where will I be a year from now and how do I feel about the direction I’m heading?
Love,
Kelly
Kelly