How to Tell If You’re Burned Out or Just Overwhelmed

The Real Reason You Want to Quit Everything (It’s Not What You Think)

Have you ever woken up one morning thinking, “I just want to burn it all down” — your job, your business, your routines, or even a relationship?

 Maybe you’ve caught yourself fantasizing about quitting your job, ending your business, or just running away to a quiet cabin in the woods where no one can find you.

I totally get it, and that sudden urge to blow everything up is more common than you think.

The impulse to start over is often your brain and body's way of saying, "I can't keep doing this anymore."

When it gets to this point, it's often the first symptom of burnout that a person takes seriously enough to change. 

So, before you light that metaphorical match, let’s pause and unpack what might really be going on.

Three Reasons You Might Want to “Burn it all down”

When burnout hits, it can look like apathy, resentment, restlessness, or a loss of meaning in something that used to fulfill you.

Reaching this point doesn't mean you have to quit everything. Sometimes you just need to understand which type of shift your brain and body is asking for.

Here are three possibilities to consider before you make any big decisions:

1. You Actually Do Need to Stop 

Sometimes, the answer is to walk away or quit something that's draining you. Maybe that's your job, business, or a relationship that feels like a constant struggle. 

But before you do, it helps to ask yourself: Is this still what I want, or am I just too exhausted to care?

If you’ve been white knuckling your way through something that doesn’t fit anymore, your brain and body will eventually force the exit.

A common sabotage that keeps you stuck is called sunk cost fallacy.

This is the belief that because you’ve invested so much time or effort, you can’t leave.

But clinging to something that no longer supports you doesn’t honor your commitment—it erodes your wellbeing. Letting go might actually be the healthiest move you can make.

2. Something Needs to Change—Not End

You might not need to burn everything down. You might just need to change how it works.

Ask yourself:

• Am I doing too much myself?

• Could I delegate or automate more?

• Are there systems that need to be reworked?

• Do I need to communicate differently (in business or relationships)?

Feeling overwhelmed or burnout doesn’t always mean you hate what you do.

It often means that your systems or structure isn’t sustainable.

Sometimes, small shifts in how you operate can reignite your motivation and ease your mental load.

3. You’re Simply Not Getting Enough Rest

When we hear “rest,” most people think sleep, but there are actually several different types of rest that your brain and body need to stay balanced.

Here are three of the most important:

• Mental Rest: Your brain consumes about 20% of your body’s energy. Without intentional white space, it's easy to feel overloaded and overwhelmed. Try scheduling brief pauses between tasks—even two minutes of quiet can help you feel refreshed, more alert, and creative.

• Emotional Rest: Stress doesn’t disappear on its own. Whether through journaling, breathwork, or talking it out, your emotions need outlets to process and release.

• Physical Rest: Are you getting less than seven hours of sleep or waking at 2–3 AM? That’s a sign that you may have elevated cortisol due to stress. Chronic go-go-go keeps your nervous system on high alert, disrupting your body’s natural repair cycles.

If you tell yourself you “don’t have time to rest,” that’s your first red flag. The truth? You can’t afford not to.

Overwhelm or Burnout Didn't Happen Overnight 

When your system finally rebels, it’s because it’s been signaling distress for a while.

You’ve probably powered through fatigue, ignored physical symptoms like muscle tension or headaches, and silenced that little voice saying, “This isn’t working.”

Rebuilding takes time. You’re not just changing habits—you’re rewiring beliefs about productivity, rest, and self-worth.

Learning when to push and when to pause is a form of emotional intelligence that protects both your health and your success.

Before You Make Any Big Moves...

Ask yourself:

“Is this exhaustion, or am I ready for something new?”

Sometimes, what feels like an ending is actually the beginning of a new chapter. Burnout feels like your body quitting, but it’s your nervous system begging for recalibration.

If you’re not sure which one you’re facing, I can help.

Through my Bespoke Brain System, we’ll identify what your brain and nervous system are trying to tell you—whether it’s time to rest, restructure, or release what’s no longer working.

Ready to stop running on empty?
You can schedule a free consultation HERE, and we’ll explore what’s driving your feelings of burnout so that you can restore balance without blowing up your entire life in the process.

You don’t have to quit to start over. Sometimes, you just need to reset.

Dr. April Darley is a brain-based neuroscience coach who specializes in high-level brain coaching for professionals and leaders who are feeling overwhelmed, burnt out, or stuck in patterns of stress and self-doubt. Her focus is on helping clients understand and work with the natural functions of their brain to achieve personal growth and professional success.