This as-told-to narrative arises from an extended conversation with Kirsten Bradford, a 30-year-old marketing professional living in Dallas, Texas. The account has been carefully edited for coherence, focus, and readability.
When Bradford lost her marketing position in 2023, she initially felt certain that her professional setback would be brief and easily reversible. Armed with a freshly earned master’s degree and an abundance of ambition, she confidently believed that her academic achievements would open doors to new industries and opportunities. The reality, however, proved far harsher than she had anticipated. For a single parent balancing the responsibilities of career aspirations and childcare, the slow unraveling of this expectation was both bewildering and deeply unsettling.
Over the course of the following year, her daily existence became narrowly confined to the relentless rhythm of job applications. Each morning, she would sit at her computer, sending out résumés and cover letters to countless potential employers, spending hours immersed in this exhausting routine. Gradually, this process consumed her energy until she found herself emotionally depleted and physically inert, operating almost mechanically. She felt an overwhelming heaviness, an inner void that made even basic tasks seem insurmountable. It was only when her eight-year-old son pointed out the change in her demeanor that she recognized how profoundly burned out she had become.
Looking around her living space, Kirsten noticed the accumulation of disorder that mirrored her internal fatigue — piles of unwashed laundry, a cluttered bedroom, and the extra weight she had unintentionally gained. These visible manifestations of neglect served as painful reminders of how her current lifestyle had begun to undermine her well-being. At that moment, she resolved that something had to change — not only for her own sake but also for the sake of her son, whose happiness and stability depended on her finding renewed strength.
In the beginning stages of unemployment, Bradford devoted as many as four to eight hours per day to job hunting, an effort that left her feeling more disheartened than accomplished. She eventually accepted a marketing role at a tech recruitment firm, but soon realized that the vocabulary and specialized knowledge required in that environment far exceeded her familiarity. Seeking to bridge this gap, she returned to academia and pursued a master’s degree in business management at Southern Methodist University’s Cox School of Business. Yet, as her workload and academic obligations intensified, she found herself overextended and, ultimately, was let go from her position. Though she graduated shortly thereafter, she once again plunged into the daunting cycle of job applications — first within the banking sector, hoping to secure a foothold in a new industry, and later back in the marketing field she knew best. Neither approach yielded success. The absence of results, juxtaposed with her prior sense of competence, left her confused and demoralized. The transition from a stable, full-time income to having none was terrifying, though she was grateful that she and her son could live rent-free with her supportive parents.
Over her first full year of searching, Bradford meticulously tracked her efforts, counting 278 job applications sent out. Despite this staggering number, she received only two interviews. Such limited response began to erode her confidence, provoking painful questions about her professional value and self-worth. Nevertheless, even amid disappointment, she continued pressing forward, driven by necessity and maternal determination.
The turning point arrived indirectly through her son. One night, he confessed that he no longer wanted to sleep beside her because, as he explained with the innocent honesty of a child, he didn’t like the way the room felt. Kirsten immediately understood the implication — the emotional heaviness she carried had begun to infect their shared environment. Her negative energy, though unspoken, was radiating into the space her son inhabited. She realized, with a pang of self-awareness, that no child should have to absorb the weight of a parent’s emotional exhaustion. In that instant, she made herself a promise: if she could not yet summon the will to be joyful for her own sake, she would do it for him.
Before her burnout, she and her son had been inseparable adventurers, filling weekends with park outings, downtown strolls, and simple explorations that brought light into their lives. Now, she could not remember the last time they shared such joy, nor when she had last cooked a proper meal, worked out, or even taken the time to present herself with care. Looking into her son’s eyes, she saw a reflection of someone she hardly recognized — a reminder that she had lost touch with both the mother and the woman she had once been. The thought of losing that connection compelled her to act. Above all other roles, she knew that her greatest and most cherished job was being a mother.
Determined to reclaim her vitality, Bradford implemented three immediate changes aimed at countering burnout. The first step began spiritually. In a quiet moment of prayer, she felt a profound internal message urging her simply to stop — to pause the desperate striving and allow herself to rest. Though initially skeptical, she gradually realized that her constant motion had not produced progress, only exhaustion. The time had come, she decided, to slow down, breathe, and appreciate each small victory rather than chase an endless horizon.
Her first tangible change was deceptively simple: she began taking walks, restoring movement to her days and inviting her son to accompany her whenever he wished. These walks became small rituals of reconnection — a way to engage both body and mind without pressure. Next, she returned to cooking and household care, rediscovering satisfaction in being present within her home rather than tethered to digital job portals. The most transformative shift, however, occurred when she decided to reintroduce outings with her son — modest adventures that symbolized freedom and joy, even without material wealth. Whether they wandered through parks or visited local spots, the act of stepping outside reinvigorated her spirit and reminded her that happiness need not depend on financial abundance.
To restore balance, Kirsten also restructured her professional efforts. Instead of spending entire days applying for positions, she allotted herself a maximum of ninety minutes per day, several days a week, to focus deliberately and efficiently on job applications. With the rest of her time freed from obsession, she found both rest and productivity. To supplement her income, she accepted a part-time retail position at Bath & Body Works, a role that provided modest financial relief and a renewed sense of social interaction. During her dedicated job-search sessions, she used technology thoughtfully — often employing AI tools to refine her résumé and tailor each application, then identifying key contacts to follow up with. Many of her leads came from alumni groups or personal referrals, yet she adopted a healthier mindset about the process. If a recruiter responded, she welcomed the opportunity; if not, she refused to let rejection diminish her spirit. Protecting her mental peace, she realized, was as critical as pursuing any career goal.
Beyond professional pursuits, Bradford developed a structured daily routine that restored rhythm to her life. She woke early, prepared her son for school, worked out, cooked nourishing meals, and devoted quiet hours to reading — often alternating between a physical book and an audiobook each week. This discipline, rooted in care and consistency, became both her anchor and her remedy for burnout.
Central to her transformation has been spirituality — a grounding force that keeps her aligned with patience and gratitude. Recognizing the need to move beyond mere survival mode, she has begun exploring hobbies that engage her creativity while providing calm, such as interior decorating projects that allow her to use her hands and imagination freely. These endeavors, neither stressful nor trivial, keep her mind active in positive ways. Additionally, she has rekindled relationships by calling family members and friends more often, and she dedicates time to volunteer work, where she has encountered compassionate individuals whose presence reinforces her belief in community and service.
Ultimately, Kirsten’s recovery from burnout rests on two intertwined pillars: disciplined structure and spiritual renewal. By honoring daily commitments as though each task were as significant as a professional duty, she has cultivated steadiness amid uncertainty. Through this renewed approach — one that values balance, self-awareness, and emotional restoration — she is gradually rediscovering her sense of purpose and reclaiming her humanity.
If you have a personal narrative about facing or overcoming burnout and wish to share your experience, please reach out to tmartinelli@businessinsider.com.
Sourse: https://www.businessinsider.com/unemployed-mom-burned-out-from-job-hunt-changing-approach-2025-12
