Caregiver Burnout

Caregiver Burnout Is a Signal, Not a Character Flaw

This post isn’t polished.

It’s not pre-planned.

It’s not a tidy checklist.

It’s a moment of truth from one caregiver (and occupational therapist) to another:

Sometimes, the overwhelm comes fast and hot.

And when it does, it feels like everything—your job, your plans, your patience—is slipping.

This morning, I was deep in that space.

And instead of ignoring it, I decided to name it, feel it, and walk myself out—one micro-step at a time.

Here’s how that looked, and how you can try it, too.

Step 1: Name the Burnout Without Shame

Burnout doesn't mean you're broken.

It means you've been carrying too much, too long, often with too little support.

It might sound like:

• “I’m tired of doing this alone.”

• “No one hears me.”

• “Everything feels like too much.”

Name it. Write it. Say it out loud. Don’t judge it. Just see it.

Step 2: Cancel One Thing

You don’t need to fix everything today. But you can:

• Cancel one visit that drains your energy.

• Push a task to tomorrow.

• Let go of a “should” that doesn’t serve you.

Burnout doesn’t always need a vacation. Sometimes it just needs an hour.

Step 3: Choose a Micro-Relief

What’s one thing that makes you feel like you?

• A good coffee

• Music instead of the news

• A 5-minute walk

• Sitting in the sun, face tilted upward

These tiny resets help shift your nervous system out of overdrive and into breath.

Step 4: Ask for Help in a New Way

I didn’t have a giant water tank for our camp.

So I asked my daughter to see if she could order large water jugs for delivery.

That one ask helped me avoid an exhausting errand.

When your brain is tired, solutions don’t come easily.

Ask out loud.

Let someone else’s brain help carry the load.

A Real-Time Example of This Shift

Let me give you the play-by-play of how this worked—today.

After naming what I was feeling, reframing the spiral I was caught in, and taking one thing off my plate, everything shifted.

In the middle of my first visit (which went really well, by the way), I gave myself permission to reschedule a second visit that was going to cause unnecessary stress and driving.

I just let it go. And guess what? The family was actually a little relieved, too.

By releasing that pressure, the rest of my day could finally flow.

I had the space I needed to prep for next week instead of spinning in exhaustion.

And here’s the part I want to shout from the rooftops:

Just getting those emotions out made all the difference.

If you don’t have time to journal or dig out a notebook, grab your phone.

Step outside.

Open your voice recorder or video app.

Dictate a message to yourself. 

Just for you.

Just to release it.

You don’t have to tell off your partner.

You don’t have to unload on a friend (unless they’re your safe space).

You just have to get it out of your body.

I walked up to that porch with tears in my eyes—and by the time I knocked on the door, I was grounded.

Centered.

Me again.

It’s not magic.

It’s self-regulation.

It’s mindset work in motion.

It’s proof that this works.

Final Thought: You’re Not Alone in the Mess

Caregiving isn’t all martyrdom or magic.

It’s somewhere in between.

And burnout doesn’t mean you’re bad at it.

It means you’re human in it.

So today, if you’re feeling stuck in the spiral, try this:

Name it.

Cancel something.

Add a micro-relief.

Ask for help.

Release it.

And remind yourself: you deserve support, too.

Want to Know Where You Stand?

If you’re not sure whether what you’re feeling is just a rough patch or true burnout, I’ve created a simple quiz to help you check in with yourself.

💬 Take the Caregiver Burnout Quiz here →Quiz

It’s quick, eye-opening, and a great way to get clarity on what kind of support you might need next. Whether you’re just starting to feel the edges fray or deep in the burnout zone, this quiz will meet you where you are.

Want more practical, no-judgment tips for your journey?

📥 Grab the free Caregiver Survival Toolkit

👥 Join the KAREgivers Connect Facebook Group