Pause for a moment and draw in a slow, deliberate breath. Let the air fill your lungs, grounding you in the present, because the past year has been nothing short of exhausting. No matter which sector you work in or what position you hold, 2025 has almost certainly felt like a relentless storm. The convergence of a shifting political landscape with the emergence of a new administration, the unpredictability of financial markets swinging between extremes, and the continuing upheaval brought about by artificial intelligence have collectively placed immense pressure on individuals and organizations alike. The world has been in constant motion, and many professionals have felt forced to keep pace with near-impossible demands.
As the year begins to wind down and we find ourselves at the threshold of a new chapter, some may finally have the chance—if fortune allows—to ease off the accelerator and reflect. This period of transition is a valuable opportunity to assess not only productivity and performance but also emotional and physical well-being. And for countless people, that self-examination reveals an uncomfortable truth: they are burned out. The exhaustion is not merely about being tired; it is a deep depletion of energy, motivation, and focus that seeps into every aspect of life.
When that realization hits, the inevitable question follows: what can be done about it? In an effort to explore that question in depth, *Business Insider* launched an extensive five-part series entitled *The Burnout Cure*, a project dedicated to unraveling both the causes and the potential paths to recovery. Within its pages, five individuals who had personally reached their limits shared candid accounts of their experiences—each offering a window into how they managed to rebuild balance and vitality after being stretched beyond endurance.
One central lesson emerged from their stories: burnout is not a hurdle that can be conquered simply by working harder or waiting for it to pass. It is not a temporary slump one can power through by sheer will. Taking a short vacation or promising oneself to “just push through until the end of this quarter” might offer fleeting relief, but it does not address the underlying problem. Genuine recovery requires substantial lifestyle changes—a reconfiguration of habits, priorities, and boundaries that supports long-term sustainability rather than endless output.
Among the practical insights the series uncovered was an unexpected one: sometimes, self-preservation requires embracing a degree of selfishness. Kristi Coulter, who reached her breaking point while serving as an executive at Amazon, decided to adopt a new personal policy at work. She resolved to accept only those assignments that held a clear, direct benefit for her own professional growth or were truly essential to her supervisor’s priorities. Contrary to her initial fears, the world did not collapse when she began turning down projects that drained her. Instead, Coulter found that this selective engagement led her to perform more effectively and with renewed passion on the tasks she chose to pursue.
Burnout, however, is not confined to those already employed. The phenomenon extends to the very pursuit of work itself. For some, the process of searching for a job can be every bit as emotionally taxing as holding a demanding position. Take Kirsten Bradford, for example, who devoted as many as eight hours each day for more than a year to her job search. The accumulation of repeated rejections began to pierce her confidence and mood, ultimately spilling over into her family life. Her young son even noticed the change. Realizing its toll, Bradford established firm boundaries around her daily search routine, setting limits on how much time she would devote to it—an effort to protect her mental health while maintaining a sense of control.
Even those who have successfully emerged from burnout are not immune to its return. Overcoming it once does not grant permanent immunity. When Natalie Holloway left her high-pressure advertising career, she embarked on a restorative trip designed to help her heal. During her travels, she conceived a side project that evolved into a fulfilling new profession—one aligned with her passions and sense of purpose. Yet despite her fresh beginning, the familiar weight of burnout eventually crept back into her life, proving that vigilance and continuous self-awareness are essential to sustain recovery.
Perhaps most striking of all is that even the experts—those who dedicate their careers to diagnosing and treating burnout—can fall prey to it. Jan Gerber, who operates an elite clinic catering to top executives, founders, and ultra-high-net-worth clientele, charges an astonishing $130,000 per week for his program. Yet despite his deep expertise and daily exposure to the warning signs in others, Gerber himself was not spared from experiencing burnout firsthand. His story is a stark reminder that intellectual understanding does not automatically translate into immunity.
Ultimately, the overarching message threading these stories together is that burnout is profoundly personal. There is no universal remedy or standardized blueprint that works for everyone. Kirsten Hurley learned this lesson during her own struggle. She diligently researched countless recovery strategies, only to feel increasingly discouraged each time another one failed to resonate with her particular needs. In the end, it was not another productivity hack or self-help routine that sparked her healing, but rather a moment of emotional validation—her partner’s reassurance that her decision to quit was justified and courageous. That affirmation became the foundation on which she could finally begin to recover.
So, as we step out of yet another demanding year, the message is clear: healing from burnout is not about temporary fixes or blind perseverance. It is about thoughtful reevaluation, setting boundaries that honor personal limits, and redefining what success looks like—not just for our careers, but for our lives as whole human beings.
Sourse: https://www.businessinsider.com/bi-today-newsletter-you-cant-outrun-burnout-2025-12
