Why I’m building Burnout BFF
Confession of an ex-corporate girlie: how the lowest point of my career led me to create a burnout community.
TL;DR: I’m building a Burnout BFF Community and want your input! It’s a safe space to recover from burnout, reconnect with your creativity, and rebuild an intentional career. If this sounds like what you’ve been craving, please take this quick 2-minute survey to share your interest and help me create something truly meaningful.
From Stressed-Out Corporate Girlie to Burnout BFF
Turns out my burnout era wasn’t a phase — it was my origin story.
Three months ago, I left my tech career after taking a 12-week medical leave for burnout.
When I quit, I didn’t have a clear plan. I just knew I wanted to follow my creative passions and reclaim my voice by telling the truth about what I’d been through.
Maybe I’d write. Maybe I’d make art. Maybe I’d join a nonprofit for a cause I care about.
What I didn’t expect was for my burnout story to go viral on LinkedIn, be featured in Business Insider, and connect me with so many incredible people who resonated with my writing.
Burnout literally became a part of my identity — and honestly, I’m not mad about it.
They say not to let your trauma define you. Unfortunately, I hate being told what to do, so I decided to do exactly the opposite.
And funnily enough, my adulthood can basically be defined by a series of mini burnouts. It’s been a running joke among my friends that I’m perpetually overwhelmed and tired. I just didn’t expect my dream job in big tech to be what finally pushed me over the edge.
They say when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. So instead of fighting it, I decided to fully embrace this part of me.
Because going through burnout didn’t just break me — it helped me find my purpose: to use my voice and writing to raise awareness about burnout and advocate for healthier workplaces.
Burnout was the lowest point in my career, but it also gave me clarity, purpose, and fuel for my voice.
So I decided to fully embrace Burnout BFF as a mission:
🗣 Raise awareness & de-stigmatize burnout — yes, I’ll keep talking about it until the world takes it seriously.
💛 Be a friend, not a coach — no sugarcoating or corporate BS, just real care for your well-being.
🚀 Help people reclaim their potential — rebuild intentional, sustainable careers that align with who they are.
From Burnout Stories to Building Community
As I’ve gotten more comfortable sharing my honest thoughts on burnout, the state of work, and mental health, I realized something else: I’m just one person with one story. There are so many others who’ve experienced burnout and have their own valuable perspectives to share.
I’ve spoken with people from all walks of burnout:
Those who left corporate careers to pursue coaching, therapy, art, or other meaningful callings.
People who burned out in toxic workplaces and successfully negotiated packages after medical leave.
Burned-out parents stuck in corporate jobs while balancing mortgages and childcare.
High-performing women managing chronic illnesses while navigating complex medical and disability insurance.
Someone who went through a legal battle with their employer over discrimination.
Each story carries powerful lessons — and reminds us that we’re not alone.
I’ve thought a lot about how I want to approach burnout in a way that aligns with who I am, and two things stand out:
Sharing authentic, personal stories of burnout to spread awareness.
Connecting a community of burned-out (and badass) people — because together we feel less alone and more empowered.
I’m already doing #1. Now, I’m figuring out #2.
Because I believe in the power of community: not just as a source of connection, but as a way to challenge systems that were never designed with our well-being in mind.
Many of you have told me you’re craving the same thing: a safe space for people who’ve experienced burnout to support each other and explore more sustainable, fulfilling careers.
I’ve been brainstorming with a few amazing folks who share the Burnout BFF mission on how we can help more people prioritize their health at work — and I can’t wait to share what’s coming next.
If this resonates, please take 2 minutes to fill out the Burnout BFF Community Survey.
I’m also looking to chat with people for feedback and ideas about what would make this community most helpful — so reach out if you’d like to share your thoughts! 💛
And if you’re just here along for the ride, subscribe to stay updated on Burnout BFF and my journey toward building a more intentional, fulfilling career.
The game really has changed. Burnout feels like the new baseline for so many of us, especially women trying to do it all and still stay “fine.” I love that you’re creating space to talk about it honestly. We need more of that kind of realness, not more resilience training.
It's crazy how similar our experiences with burnout are! I also went through several mini-burnouts (temporarily placated with vacations) before having The Big One after landing my dream job. I've learned so much since and I'm excited to share with the Burnout BFF Community!