The term burnout has become widely used in recent years, partially spurred on by the pandemic and the lines it blurred between our work and home lives.
The term was coined in the 1970s by Herbert Freudenberger, an American-German psychologist to describe the consequences of severe stress in “helping” professions, such as doctors and nurses.
But what does burnout mean in 2024, and how does it affect women entrepreneurs?
Burnout isn't just about feeling tired or stressed—it's a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion brought on by prolonged periods of stress or overwhelm. And it’s not always easy to identify; it can manifest and shapeshift into other seemingly unrelated feelings, emotions, and even physical conditions making it difficult to nail down. As Brené Brown put it on the Happiness Lab Podcast with Dr. Laurie Santos, “The times when I was the most resentful is when I was deep into burnout, I’m exhausted, and I don’t think everyone else is working as hard as I am. And it turns out that I’m not mad because people aren’t working as hard as I am; I’m envious because they’re taking care of themselves.”
For women entrepreneurs, this resentment often stems from the relentless juggling act between business responsibilities and societal expectations. While burnout affects individuals across all walks of life, its impact on women entrepreneurs is particularly acute for this reason.
Elise Loehnen, writer and podcast host, writes in her book, On Our Best Behaviour: The Price Women Pay to Be Good, "Women are expected to be everything to everyone: the perfect mother, the successful entrepreneur, the supportive spouse. It's an impossible standard that often leads to burnout.”
Women entrepreneurs face a myriad of challenges that can exacerbate burnout. Gender biases, unequal access to resources, and the pressure to conform to traditional gender roles are just a few examples. Society often places unrealistic expectations on women, suggesting they should be able to effortlessly balance their professional lives and ambitions with their familial obligations, while men are not typically held to the same standards.
Additionally, women tend to process stress differently than men, often internalizing it and prioritizing the needs of others over their own, and that stress can lead to neglect for their mental and physical health—another recipe for burnout.
As Glennon Doyle, bestselling author of Untamed, puts it in Episode 93 of the We Can Do Hard Things Podcast, “[In the system] which we have, it makes perfect sense that women are burned out as all hell because we believe it is our moral obligation to give...It’s because the game is rigged."
In the episode, Glennon and her sister Amanda discuss their experiences with burnout, describing how they feel emotionally exhausted, devoid of empathy, and with a decreased sense of accomplishment. They emphasize that burnout is not solely caused by perceived personal shortcomings, but is influenced by societal structures such as patriarchy, racism, and misogyny. They highlight the emotional toll of constantly caring for others and feeling obligated to meet societal expectations.
In the entrepreneurial realm, burnout can stem from the pursuit of success, or the constant effort to stay afloat while being consistently challenged by external conditions, combined with an inability to establish boundaries. As Brené Brown noted on LinkedIn, "Perfectionism is the belief that if we live perfect, look perfect, and act perfect, we can minimize or avoid the pain of blame, judgment, and shame." This relentless pursuit of perfection can quickly spiral into burnout when coupled with the pressures of entrepreneurship.
So, what can women entrepreneurs do to prevent burnout?
Boundaries, boundaries, boundaries: Establish clear working hours, stick to them, and communicate them clearly to your partners and clients/customers. Identify your limits to understand where your time and energy is most valuable and where you’re most likely to become overextended—and learn to say no.
Self-compassion is key: Women often hold themselves to impossibly high standards. Treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding as you would a friend facing similar challenges. This is often easier said than done, but speaking to yourself with encouragement rather than in a way that stifles your confidence is a great start. Remind yourself that you are human.
Collaborate and delegate: Collaboration is powerful—connecting with others and finding common ground can be a great way to boost your confidence and build a supportive community that you can lean on. Recognize that you can’t do it all alone—and you don’t have to. If possible, delegate or get help with some of the tasks that monopolize your time and don’t bring you joy.
Prioritize self-care: This might feel a little overstated, but it’s very important to make carving out time for yourself a non-negotiable. Whether it’s exercising, going for a walk, reading a book, or taking a nap, self-care is essential to avoiding burnout. Limiting your phone and computer in the evening and cultivating opportunities for creativity and play are key. That, and do everything you need to do to get enough sleep.
It’s important to note that moving your body is imperative to recovering from burnout. Stress is stored in our bodies—literally—and exercise, whatever it may be, is essential to both the prevention of and recovery from burnout. That might mean a daily 5-minute dance party for one in your kitchen. Whatever works for you!
Seek support: Whether it’s through mentorship programs, support groups, professional counselling, or talking to someone who’s been through what you’re experiencing; asking for help is a sign of strength. Asking for help also provides others the opportunity to use their unique gifts and talents to support you.
With the right tools and mindset, women entrepreneurs can rewrite the narrative and create a path to success that is sustainable, fulfilling, and healthy.
As Arianna Huffington aptly put it, "Burnout is not the price you have to pay for success."
Resources on the topic of burnout:
Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle
Unlocking Us Podcast: Burnout and How to Complete the Stress Cycle