We live in a world that rewards speed, output, and ‘always-on’ thinking. Our calendars are full, our minds are racing, and rest often feels like a luxury we can't afford.

After going through burnout not once, but three separate times, I finally had to face a truth that felt as frustrating as it was freeing: resting isn’t enough.

Burnout isn’t simply being tired. It’s not something a good night’s sleep or a weekend away can always fix. It runs deeper—into your nervous system, your sense of safety, your ability to think clearly, and your capacity to bounce back. And perhaps most importantly, burnout is not a sign that you’re failing. It’s a sign that your brain and body have been trying to cope with too much, for too long, without enough space to recover.

I used to think I could outsmart stress. Push through it. Out-organise it. Drown it in colour-coded calendars and late-night pep talks. I thought if I just worked hard enough, or got a little more disciplined, I could outrun the creeping sense of exhaustion and disconnection that had started to follow me everywhere.

Letting go of the “perfect practice” and choosing what truly supports me instead.