The Overlooked Reason for Burnout and How to Fix It

Let me start by saying this…

Burnout isn’t always about poor time management, lack of boundaries, or not enough self-care. Sometimes, it’s about misalignment, and I don’t think we talk about that enough..

I’m not talking about a bad week or a high-stress season. I’m talking about the exhaustion that creeps in slowly, even when you’re technically doing everything "right."

You know exactly what I mean.

You go to work, you deliver results, you attend the meetings, and maybe you’re even well-liked by your team. But something still feels off. Your mornings are heavier. Your patience is shorter. The smallest tasks feel like a chore. And despite getting the job done, you feel more disconnected than ever.

That’s not laziness. That’s not a lack of discipline. That’s misalignment.

Let’s chat for a moment about the often overlooked reason for burnout with my hoping being that you get through this blog and have at least one AHA moment. 

What Career Misalignment Actually Looks Like

When we talk about misalignment, we’re not necessarily talking about hating your job (although that can be part of it). Sometimes, it looks like this:

• You’re constantly tired even after a solid 8 hours of sleep.
• You start to feel resentful of work tasks that used to be second nature.
• You find yourself saying things like, "I just need to push through this quarter"... every quarter.
• You fantasize about walking away with no backup plan.
• You second-guess your skills or feel like your confidence has taken a hit.

If you've been telling yourself that it’s just burnout, or that you need to meditate more, or that a vacation will fix it—you might be missing the bigger issue.

It’s not just the stress. It’s that the work no longer fits.

Why We Overlook Misalignment

Most of us were taught to chase stability. Get the “good job.” Keep the job. Collect the benefits. Be grateful and don’t rock the boat.

So when the job stops working for you, the instinct is to blame yourself. To push harder. To assume you’re the problem. And because burnout is now a buzzword, it’s easier to call it that instead of naming what’s really going on.

Burnout from misalignment doesn’t go away with a new calendar app or a better morning routine. If your work no longer aligns with your values, your strengths, or the season of life you’re in, you’re going to feel it, and neither the Calm app nor morning meditation with Dr. Chelsea Jackson-Roberts can fix that.

Even if the salary is good. Even if you’re good at it. Even if it makes sense on paper.

How to Tell If Misalignment Is the Culprit

This is the part where you’ll want to get really honest with yourself and ask:

• Does my work energize or drain me?
• Do I still feel proud of the work I do?
• Am I using my actual strengths day-to-day? (a common issue)
• Does this role fit the version of me I’m becoming? (35+ ladies understand this one)

You don’t need to have all the answers today, but sitting with these questions will give you more clarity than another personality quiz or an Instagram carousel with the five signs you’re overwhelmed.

If you want a more structured way to dig into this, I created a simple Career Misalignment Checklist that breaks it down into the real patterns I see with my clients.

So, What Do You Do With That Clarity?

You realign. And I’m not saying that lightly.

Realignment doesn’t always mean quitting tomorrow. It means taking a hard look at what needs to shift—whether it’s your role, your environment, the type of work you’re doing, or how you’re approaching your career long-term.

Sometimes, realignment means having a conversation with your manager. Sometimes, it means refreshing your resume and quietly seeing what else is out there. Sometimes, it means giving yourself permission to want something different—even if other people don’t understand.

I’ll leave you with this…

You’re not wrong for outgrowing something. You’re not difficult for wanting work that feels more meaningful. And you’re definitely not alone if you’ve been feeling stuck, frustrated, or even ashamed that the job that once felt like a blessing now feels like a burden.

I talk to women like you every day. Women who are high-achieving, thoughtful, incredibly capable—and also deeply tired. Not because they can’t handle the work, but because the work no longer aligns with who they are.

The clarity doesn’t come from pushing through. It comes from pausing long enough to get honest. To assess what’s still working and what’s not. And to make decisions from that place of clarity, not fear.

If you’re ready to do that kind of assessment with someone who’s been there and knows how to help, my Career Clarity Session might be the next right step. We’ll take a look at where you are, what’s feeling misaligned, and what options you actually have.

Despite what you may have told yourself, there are always options. 

I look forward to chatting with you soon.