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Burnout in Women: Why You Don’t Owe Anyone Your Exhaustion

             ✍️ By Subhasri Devaraj

Image Created by Author

Let me guess.

You’re running on 4 hours of sleep, 2 cold coffees, and the pure pressure of keeping everyone else’s life together.
You're folding laundry with one hand, replying to work emails with the other, and mentally planning dinner while your brain whispers,
“Maybe I’ll rest after this.”
Except “after this” never comes.

Sound familiar?

Let’s get one thing straight:

You don’t owe anyone your burnout badge.
Your tired eyes are not proof of your worth.
And guess what? No one hands out awards for being the most drained woman in the room.

The “Good Girl” Lie We Swallowed 💊

Somewhere between cartoons and college, we picked up this ridiculous idea:

  • If you rest, you’re lazy.

  • If you say no, you’re difficult.

  • If you prioritize yourself, you’re selfish.

Newsflash: That’s not selflessness. That’s self-abandonment in lipstick.

They told us being a “good woman” means being always available, always helpful, always tired.
And so we hustle. We overgive. We forget ourselves.

But here’s the truth no one told us when we were busy people-pleasing:

Exhaustion is not a personality trait.

Your Body Is Not a Machine 🧠

It’s not normal to wake up already tired.
It’s not okay that you feel guilty for resting.
And it’s definitely not fine that your version of self-care is scrolling Instagram at 1 AM hiding in the bathroom.

That’s survival. Not self-care. 

So What If You Just… Didn’t?

Didn’t reply to that one last email.
Didn’t clean the kitchen right after dinner.
Didn’t say yes to that favour you didn’t want to do anyway.

Nothing explodes.
The world doesn’t collapse.
You just… breathe.

Imagine that.

The Real Villain? “Doing it all.”

No one is “doing it all.”
They're just editing their chaos for Instagram.

Behind every perfect post is a woman who’s either breaking down silently or secretly wishing for one damn day off.

Repeat After Me (Yes, Out Loud):

  • I don’t need to earn rest.

  • My energy is precious, not public property.

  • Saying no is sexy.

  • I owe no one my breakdown.

Let Them Call You Selfish

They will.
They’ll whisper, “She’s changed.”
They’ll say, “She’s different now.”

Good. Be different.

Be the woman who naps without guilt.
Who sets boundaries like a queen.
Who says, “Not today, I’m tired, and that’s enough reason.”

Final Pep Talk (Because You’re Worth It)

Dear woman,
You are not a robot.
You are not a servant.
You are not a backup plan, a default caregiver, or a 24x7 emotional support hotline.

You are a human being.
With limits. With needs. With dreams.
And most importantly — with permission to rest.

Not tomorrow. Not next month.
Now.

Too Long, Definitely Relatable

  • Rest is not a reward, it’s your right.

  • Being tired isn’t proof of love.

  • Let go of the guilt.

  • You’re allowed to choose you.

Want more real talk like this? Drop a comment 💬
Share this with a woman who needs a reminder today. 💌
Let’s unlearn exhaustion together.


📌 Disclaimer & Copyright Notice

Disclaimer:
This post is written from personal perspective and real-life experiences. No AI-generated text or auto-written tools were used in the original drafting of this content. Every word comes from an honest, human voice — just like a conversation with a friend.

Copyright Notice:
© 2025 The Heartlogue by Subhasri Devaraj. All rights reserved.
Unauthorized copying, reproduction, or distribution of this content is strictly prohibited. If you'd like to feature this piece, please link back to the original post and give proper credit.

 


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