High-Achieving. Highly Respected. But Secretly Burned Out? A Recovery Kit for Black Women Leaders

You’re that woman. The go-to. The one they always call on. The one who’s built a name, a brand, a vision, and a lane of her own. And still you’re exhausted. Not just tired. Bone tired. You took a weekend off, maybe even a full vacation, but the fog never lifted. And deep down, you know: this isn’t just about needing rest.It’s burnout. Burnout isn’t always loud. Sometimes, it looks like success. Sometimes, it hides behind high performance, polished panels, and perfect presentations.

But here’s what it often feels like:

5 Signs You Might Be Burned Out

1. You’re running on empty – and rest doesn’t refuel you like it used to.

2. You’ve lost your spark – What once brought you joy now feels like another item on the list.

3. You’ve stopped asking for help – You journal, pray, vent to your girls—but still feel unseen and unsupported.

4. You’re successful but silently suffering – The title, the table, the accolades? You’ve got them. But behind closed doors? You’re anxious, overwhelmed, and wondering if it’s all worth it.

5. You’re productive…but disconnected – People call you impressive, but inside, you feel numb.

   
   

Do any of these sound like you?

If yes, this isn’t just stress.It’s burnout—and it deserves your attention.

According to Psychology Today, burnout is a state of emotional, mental, and often physical exhaustion brought on by prolonged or repeated stress. And while it’s often linked to work, Black women leaders experience burnout uniquely—because we carry more:

• Unspoken expectations

• Cultural silence around struggle

• Guilt for wanting rest or help

• Generational pressure to “push through”

It’s time to stop pushing. It’s time to start balancing work and well-being

Your Burnout Recovery Starter Kit

A 6-step reset designed for Black women leaders

For the next 30 days, I want to invite you into a different rhythm—one that centers your humanity, honors your needs, and restores your joy.

Step 1: Get In a Different Rhythm

Your energy is not a machine. It’s cyclical and has to be respected and intentionally restored. Creating new rhythms might mean building in white space, honoring your natural energy patterns, saying no without justification, or reimagining productivity in a way that serves you. You don’t need to overhaul everything overnight, but we do need to make some shifts.

Step 2: Build a Grounding Morning Routine

Before the emails and the scrolls: choose you first.

Your routine might include:

• Guided meditation

• Journaling or intention setting

• Gentle movement

• A song that lifts your spiritEven 1–2 songs can shift your entire nervous system.

  
  

Step 3: Time Block with Care

Limit work blocks to no more than 3 hours at a time. Schedule 30-minute breaks like sacred appointments. Focus on progress, not perfection

Step 4: Plan for Joy (Yes, Joy!)

Burnout recovery requires pleasure. Here's how to build it in:

Pleasure Planning: Every Sunday, schedule one thing that’s just for joy.Creative Play: Try improv, dance, Afrobeat, pottery, or painting. DIY Joy Projects: Make a playlist. Build a vision board. Start a tiny garden. Nature Dates: Find wonder—beaches, forests, or even your local park.Nourish Your Mind: Prioritize books, soul-nourishing community, and therapy.

Step 5: Create a Sacred Nighttime Routine

No phone 1 hour before bed. Engage your senses: warm baths, face care, aromatherapy. End with gratitude journaling — Write down 5 things that you're grateful for and brought you joy. Train your brain to notice joy again.

Step 6: Rewire Your Mindset

Mindset Shifts are critical. You’re not lazy. You’re not weak. You’re not behind. You're burned out and need space to cool the burn. As often as you need to throughout the day, when presented with an intrusive thought about what you “should” be doing, remind yourself that:

• Joy is productive — Pleasure is not a reward. It is maintenance for my brilliance.

• Rest is resistance. You’re allowed to rest without explanation.

• I am responsible for healing my inner child — Sometimes check in with your younger self: What did she want to do? (Paint, roller skate, sing loudly, build forts?) Honor her.

Final Thoughts

You don’t have to earn your rest. You don’t have to apologize for needing a break. You don’t have to choose between excellence and emotional wellness. Your success doesn’t have to come at the cost of your soul. Let’s redefine success. Let’s reclaim softness. Let’s build a legacy that includes you—well, whole, and worthy of rest.