When I first launched my small business in my 20s, I thought burning the candle at both ends was just part of the hustle.
No pain, no gain, right? Well, that “power through it” mentality came at a cost.
One morning, I realized I couldn’t concentrate on even the simplest tasks, and I had started snapping at everyone around me for no good reason. Looking back, I was already neck-deep in burnout territory—I just didn’t see the signs.
And that’s the tricky part about burnout. It can creep up on you quietly until you’re completely tapped out. With this in mind, we dive into seven signs that might indicate you’re on the verge of burnout—even if you haven’t realized it yet.
01 You’re constantly tired but call it “being busy”
As you might know, feeling exhausted all the time is one of the first red flags.
Sure, life gets busy, but there’s a difference between normal fatigue and the kind of bone-deep weariness that doesn’t go away after a good night’s sleep. If you’re pushing through each day on autopilot, it might be more than just a packed schedule.
I had a phase where I convinced myself I was simply juggling a lot. But the truth was I wasn’t just tired—I was drained in every sense of the word.
As the team at Mayo Clinic has pointed out, “problems with work life balance” and “lack of control” can accelerate this, taking you from ‘stretched thin’ to burnout status before you know it.
02 You’re forgetting things you’d normally remember
I remember a time when I kept forgetting small but important things—emails I had just read, meetings I had scheduled, even conversations I’d had earlier in the day.
At first, I brushed it off as “just being busy,” but in reality, my brain was overloaded.
Chronic stress, as research suggests, can impair memory. I guess when your mind is constantly in overdrive, it’s like your mental filing cabinet is overflowing—things start slipping through the cracks. At least, that’s how it feels to me.
If you find yourself repeatedly forgetting things you’d normally remember with ease, it might not be a sign that you need a better to-do list. It could be your brain waving a red flag, urging you to slow down before burnout takes a firmer hold.
03 Your relationships feel tense for no obvious reason
Let’s be real: tension with co-workers, friends, or a partner sometimes happens. However, normal disagreements and constant friction are not the same thing.
The folks at WebMD describe stage 4 of burnout like this:
“you have conflicts with co-workers, friends, or your partner. You don’t sleep well, have other physical complaints, or become forgetful.”
Looking back, I’d say this is spot on. When I was overwhelmed running my business, my relationships started taking a hit. I was irritable, found myself snapping over small annoyances, and basically didn’t have the bandwidth to be patient.
Trust me, the moment you notice your loved ones or teammates walking on eggshells around you, it’s time for a reality check.
04 You find yourself more cynical or easily annoyed
Maybe you’re rolling your eyes during team meetings? Or perhaps you’re feeling resentful toward your clients or your boss for tasks that didn’t bother you before?
This creeping negativity can be a subtle sign your stress levels are out of control.
Here at Small Biz Technology, we can’t help but notice how so many entrepreneurs assume being jaded is “part of the grind.” However, being perpetually annoyed or pessimistic can be a sign that you’re nearing a breaking point.
If your mindset is stuck on all the negatives, it’s probably time to reevaluate how you’re managing your responsibilities.
05 Your sleep is restless (if you sleep at all)
Remember that WebMD quote about not sleeping well? It’s a biggie.
Stress hormones flood our system when we’re burned out, making restful sleep harder to come by. If it takes forever to fall asleep or you’re waking up in the middle of the night replaying tomorrow’s to-do list, consider it a nudge that your stress levels are peaking.
Personally, I went through a brutal stretch of insomnia back when I was grinding 24/7. My body was exhausted, but my mind wouldn’t switch off.
And it only served to make things worse. A lack of quality shut-eye can lead to impaired judgment and a hair-trigger temper—exactly what none of us need when juggling work and life.
06 You feel trapped or powerless
This is a big one.
About 18 months into my first business, things took a turn for the worse. I was working non-stop, saying yes to everything, and yet, no matter how hard I pushed, I felt like I was stuck on a treadmill—running, but getting nowhere. I wasn’t excited about new projects anymore, and every challenge felt like an impossible mountain to climb.
That feeling of being trapped is a classic symptom of burnout.
If you’ve ever caught yourself thinking, What’s the point? or I can’t keep this up forever, it might be time to take a step back and reassess.
Because here’s the truth: burnout thrives in environments where we feel out of control. The sooner you recognize that feeling of powerlessness, the sooner you can take steps to regain control—before burnout fully takes hold.
07 You’re withdrawing from everyone—sometimes without noticing
Stage 7 of burnout, as highlighted by WebMD, is withdrawal. They note that “Dealing with others feels like a burden. You get angry if someone criticizes you, and you may feel disoriented or helpless.’”
While it may sound extreme, it doesn’t always arrive with dramatic fanfare. It can sneak in as quietly as ignoring texts because you just can’t deal with conversation or turning down every social invite for “me time.”
For me, it reached a point where I avoided clients and team members altogether, ghosting even important calls because everything felt too heavy. If any of these behaviors sound uncomfortably familiar, you might be further along in burnout than you think and I would encourage you to seek support.
Wrapping things up
Burnout doesn’t usually hit like a thunderbolt. It tiptoes in through subtle changes in mood, behavior, and thinking until you’re stuck in a fog of exhaustion and resentment.
If any of the above feels relatable, consider talking to a friend, seeking professional help, or even taking a mini-break from your routine.
Look at your workload, and your boundaries (or lack thereof), and see where you can recalibrate. Prioritize your well-being and take steps—even small ones—toward a healthier balance.
Until next time, friends.
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