If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you’re somewhere between
“I need to go back” and “I honestly don’t know how I’m meant to do this.”
You might be signed off as fit to return, but still feel shaky inside.
You might look fine to everyone else while your body is quietly saying no.
You might be worrying that if you go back too slowly you’ll be judged, and if you go back too fast, you’ll end up right back where you started.
It’s about going back in a way that doesn’t tip you straight back into survival mode.
That’s usually the bit worth paying attention to.
What does “ready to return” actually mean after burnout?
One of the most common questions I hear is: How do I know if I’m ready?
Most people assume readiness means:
feeling confident again
having energy back
being symptom-free
wanting to return
In reality, that’s rarely how it looks.
You might be ready if:
you can notice stress building before it overwhelms you
you’ve had some steadiness, not just a single good week
you’re clearer about what contributed to the burnout
you’re open to doing things differently, even if that feels uncomfortable
Burnout recovery isn’t about waiting until you feel bulletproof.
It’s about returning with support, limits, and honesty.
Why “back to normal” is often where things go wrong
Many burnout relapses happen for one simple reason:
nothing actually changes.
Same pace.
Same expectations.
Same internal pressure to cope quietly and keep going.
Burnout isn’t caused by weakness or lack of resilience. It’s caused by chronic overload — emotional, cognitive, and often relational.
After burnout, your nervous system is usually more sensitive, not tougher.
So returning without adjustments can feel manageable at first… until it suddenly isn’t.
That’s why “just easing back in” without structure often doesn’t hold.
What a phased return can really look like
A phased return isn’t just about fewer hours.
It’s about less load.
Depending on your role, this might mean:
shorter days or fewer days per week
reduced decision-making or responsibility
fewer meetings
stepping back from emotionally demanding work at first
clear finish times
protected breaks
For senior roles, leadership positions, or self-employed women, this matters even more.
The invisible parts of work - responsibility, emotional labour, being available - often cost more than the hours themselves.
A helpful question is:
Which parts of my work drain me the most - mentally or emotionally?
That’s usually where change matters most.
Preparing for the return-to-work conversation
This conversation can feel loaded, especially if you’re used to being capable, dependable, and not drawing attention to your needs.
A few things that help:
deciding what you need, not just what feels reasonable to ask for
being specific rather than apologetic
remembering this isn’t a favour — it’s about sustainability
It can help to think through:
what hours feel manageable right now
what responsibilities need to come later
what your early warning signs are
how progress will be reviewed and adjusted
You don’t have to explain everything.
You do need to protect yourself.
If you’re self-employed, this still applies
Burnout doesn’t care who your boss is.
If you work for yourself, returning well might mean:
fewer clients or projects for a while
firmer boundaries around availability
letting income stabilise slowly instead of pushing for recovery and growth at the same time
accepting help, even if that feels deeply uncomfortable
Your nervous system doesn’t know whether pressure comes from an employer or from you.
Pressure is pressure.
The emotional side no one really talks about
Even when you want to return, it can bring:
fear
shame
anger
grief for how things used to be
Many women tell me the hardest part isn’t the work itself.
It’s trusting their body again after it’s let them down.
That trust doesn’t come from pushing through.
It rebuilds through listening — and responding sooner than you used to.
Reducing the risk of burnout happening again
This isn’t about:
better productivity
more discipline
trying harder to cope
It’s about:
noticing early warning signs and acting on them
adjusting expectations before things escalate
letting go of the belief that rest has to be earned
redesigning work and life so there’s actual space
If nothing shifts - internally or externally - burnout has a habit of repeating.
A question worth sitting with
When you imagine yourself six months from now, what would tell you this return worked?
Not how it looked on paper.
How it actually felt to live with.
The impact on your evenings. On your relationships.
That’s usually where the truth shows up.
If you want support with returning well
I work with women who are capable, thoughtful, and exhausted - many of whom are returning to work after burnout and quietly worried about getting it wrong.
You already know yourself.
You just need some help not overriding it again.
I’ve spent over 25 years working in mental health and wellbeing, supporting women returning to work after burnout - particularly those in leadership, caring, and self-employed roles. If you want to explore support, you can read about RESTORE on my website or get in touch for a conversation.
There’s no rush.
But you don’t have to do this on your own.