The Burnout Test: 5 Signs You Are Running on Empty

You are showing up. You are doing the work.
But something feels off.

You are tired no matter how much you sleep.
You feel numb even during moments that should bring you joy.
You are overwhelmed by the smallest tasks.

This is not laziness. This is not weakness.
This might be burnout.

Burnout is more than just being tired. It is a state of physical, mental, and emotional depletion that builds slowly until it becomes impossible to ignore.

Here are five signs that your energy is not just low—it is running on empty.

1. You Wake Up Tired and Stay That Way

A full night of sleep used to refresh you.
Now you wake up feeling like you barely rested.

Even on weekends or during downtime, you cannot seem to recharge.
This is one of the clearest signs that your body and mind are not just tired—they are running beyond capacity.

Energy is not just physical. It is also emotional and mental. And when all three are drained, sleep alone is not enough.

2. You Are Constantly Irritated or Numb

Small things make you snap. Or worse—you feel nothing at all.

You are emotionally checked out, even in relationships that once brought you joy.
This emotional flatness is your nervous system waving a red flag.

Burnout makes it hard to feel connected, because your mind is just trying to survive the day.

3. You Dread the Things You Used to Love

Whether it is your work, your hobbies, or time with people you care about—burnout turns passion into pressure.

You start asking yourself

• Why does everything feel like a chore

• Why do I not enjoy this anymore

• Will I ever feel excited again
  

If everything you once loved now feels heavy, it is time to pause and take a deeper look.

4. You Struggle to Focus or Finish Anything

Your brain feels foggy.
You start tasks but cannot finish them.
Simple decisions feel overwhelming.

This is not a lack of discipline.
It is a sign your mind is maxed out.

When burnout sets in, cognitive function suffers—and your productivity drops no matter how hard you try to push through.

5. You Are Disconnected from Yourself

You stop checking in with yourself.
You do not notice your needs until you crash.

There is no space for reflection, stillness, or creativity.
You are just moving from one obligation to the next—running on autopilot.

If you feel like you are living someone else’s life or just trying to make it through the day, burnout may be quietly taking over.

Final Thoughts

Burnout does not arrive all at once.
It creeps in—slowly, silently—until your body and mind begin to break down.

But here is the good news
Burnout is not permanent.

When you learn to recognize the signs early, you can make changes before exhaustion takes over your life.
You can restore your energy.
You can reconnect with yourself.
You can recover—and rise again.

Start by noticing. Then take one small step back toward wholeness.

Feeling the signs of burnout
Let us build a path back to balance—together.
👉 Book your free coaching call here