Hey, friends!

It’s been a while since I last posted here—way back in June of 2023. A lot has happened since then, and I’ve been reflecting on how much my life, my career, and even my approach to balance have evolved over the past few months. It’s been a period of growth, learning, and, honestly, a little bit of unraveling. Today, I want to share the lessons I’ve learned on my journey from burnout to balance and how I’m still managing to find my footing—especially while raising my kids and navigating life’s unexpected twists.

The Weight of Increased Responsibility

At the end of 2024, my life felt like it was spinning out of control. I lost two people who meant the world to me. Both of these losses threw me into a spiral, one that I wasn’t sure how to come out of. Grief is such a heavy thing to carry, and when combined with the usual pressures of work, family, and the never-ending cycle of responsibilities, I found myself overwhelmed. My role as the clinical director at an ABA company came with an increased load of responsibility. The work itself is incredibly rewarding, but as many of you know, the more you give, the more is often expected. The pressure kept mounting, and before I knew it, I was in the thick of burnout without even realizing it.

The combination of grief and the overwhelming demands of my career left me feeling drained and disconnected. Managing the day-to-day of raising my kids, taking care of my team, and keeping up with everything else felt like I was running on fumes. And that’s when I realized—I couldn’t keep going like this.

Step 1: Acknowledge the Burnout

The first step in my recovery was acknowledging the burnout. I had been avoiding it for so long, convincing myself that if I just pushed harder, I’d find my way through. But the truth was, the harder I pushed, the more I felt like I was sinking. Acknowledging burnout doesn’t make you weak or incapable—it’s a sign of self-awareness. I had to remind myself that it’s okay not to be okay sometimes.

It’s so important to give yourself permission to feel your feelings, even the tough ones. If you’ve been through something similar—whether it’s a loss, a career shift, or just the day-to-day grind catching up with you—take a moment to honor where you are. You don’t have to “bounce back” immediately. Healing is a process.

Step 2: Shift Your Mindset from “Hustle” to “Harmony”

As someone who has always been driven, “hustle culture” was something I wore like a badge of honor. I had been conditioned to believe that the only way to succeed was through hustle—working long hours, over-delivering, constantly pushing myself. But when the burnout hit, I realized that hustling non-stop was only making me feel more depleted, not more fulfilled.

One of the most powerful shifts I made was moving away from the idea that success is only achieved through exhaustion. I began to focus on creating harmony and sustainability in my life. That doesn’t mean slowing down completely, but rather being strategic about how I spend my time and energy instead of just juggling everything at once. I made a list of what truly mattered to me—my kids, my well-being, meaningful work, and personal growth—and began intentionally carving out time for those things. At work, I started prioritizing tasks and delegating more. In my personal life, I learned to say “no” without feeling guilty, and I set clearer boundaries for myself and my family.

Balance doesn’t mean doing it all at once, or even perfectly. It’s about taking small steps toward what brings you peace. 

Step 3: Prioritizing Self-Care- The Non-Negotiables

When you’re in a high-pressure role, self-care can often feel like a luxury you can’t afford. But I learned the hard way that if you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t be able to show up for anyone else.

The first thing I had to prioritize was sleep. Sleep became my non-negotiable. It’s amazing how much better you feel after a full night of rest. I also reworked my exercise routine to fit into my day—nothing fancy, just a quick walk, some yoga, or even dancing around my living room with my kids. Movement became my reset button.

Step 4: Find Moments of Stillness Amidst the Chaos

This one is tough, especially when you’re a career woman juggling kids and life’s demands. There's always something happening—someone needs attention, a project is due, a crisis might arise. But even amidst the chaos, I’ve learned the power of finding moments of stillness. It doesn’t have to be an hour-long meditation or a weekend retreat (though those are nice). It can be as simple as taking five minutes in the morning to breathe deeply, sip on your coffee in peace, or even just listen to your thoughts without the distractions of emails or to-do lists.

I started incorporating mindfulness into my routine in little ways. And let me tell you—those few minutes of quiet can be a lifesaver when the world feels like it’s moving too fast.

Step 5: Embrace Support and Community

Through all of this, I’ve realized that I don’t have to do it alone, I had to let go of the “I can do it all” mentality. I’ve leaned into my support system—family, friends, and even new professional connections. Asking for help doesn’t make you weak. It’s a sign of strength. Whether it’s leaning on a friend for emotional support or asking for help with the kids so you can take a break, the power of community cannot be underestimated.

I also found therapy to be incredibly helpful. Talking through my stress and grief helped me process things I was keeping buried. It’s not a sign of weakness to ask for help—it’s a step toward healing.

One of the most valuable things I’ve learned this past year is that growth isn’t always about doing more; sometimes, it’s about leaning into the support that’s already available to you. People want to help—they just need to know you need it.

Step 6: Give Yourself Grace

Finally, the most important lesson I’ve learned through this entire journey is to give myself grace. The journey from burnout to balance is not linear. Some days will be better than others. There are days when things don’t go according to plan, when I feel like I’m falling short at work or at home, or when I’m just plain exhausted. But instead of beating myself up, I’ve learned to step back and acknowledge that I’m doing the best I can.I’ll have moments where I feel recharged and ready to take on the world, and other times when I need to rest and reset. And that’s okay.

Remember, life is messy, and balance doesn’t always look the way we expect it to. There’s no “perfect” balance, no right or wrong way to manage everything. It’s all about being kind to yourself and recognizing that life is a constant ebb and flow. There will be seasons where you give a little more and others where you pull back. Trust that you’re doing the best you can, and that’s enough.

Reclaiming Your Energy—One Step at a Time

If you’re struggling with burnout, know that you’re not alone. You don’t have to have everything figured out, and it’s okay to not be okay sometimes, It’s okay to pause, to reset, and to give yourself permission to heal. The key is to focus on small, intentional steps that support your well-being and allow you to reclaim your energy.

For me, this journey is ongoing—but with each day, I’m learning how to build a life that’s not just about surviving, but about thriving. I hope that by sharing my story, you find inspiration to take your own steps toward balance and begin the process of reclaiming your energy, too.

Thank you for being part of this community and for taking the time to read. I’m so excited to reconnect and share more with you in the coming months.

With love and gratitude,

Marissa Craft