From Burnout to Balance: Steps to Reclaim Your Energy

Marissa Craft • February 4, 2025

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-Cale- 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


By Marissa Craft March 25, 2025
Embracing the Power of Rest and Recharging for Your Mind, Body, and Soul
By Marissa Craft June 11, 2023
Hey friends, I’m back!! I know, I know… it's been a minute since we’ve last talked. If I am being completely honest I’ve just been very inconsistent with my blog and other things that I once was very consistent at doing. But all in all I'm back and I have a question for you… Are you living or existing? For a little over a year now I have been a single mom and with that comes a lot of ups and downs. I found myself feeling sad, betrayed, and ashamed. Sticking to routines and trying to make sure that I was everything for my children while still trying to have time for myself. I found myself overcompensating for things that I felt they lacked because our family dynamic wasn’t the “traditional” family. Of course I carved out times throughout the day that I considered my me time and yes I still have those set times I realized it wasn't enough. As I reflected on how things were going and compared them to the life I wanted I realized I was only existing on this Earth and not living. I decided it was time to change that and start living. Let me be very clear, I made a conscious decision to start living in a way that benefited me and my kids! It was time for me to embrace the grace that God had given me and grasp the blessings he was providing me. So while I have been away there are a few things that have been accomplished along the way. For starters, I earned a promotion!!!! I have been at my with my current company for a little over a year and they have already given me a leadership position :) I’ve started working out at least 2 days a week, most weeks I get an extra day in. Since my kids were born I have continuously said I was going to workout and always found the excuse that I had no one to watch them. In addition to working out, I’ve been traveling. I never knew how I could financially travel and be a present parent at the same time.But like the old people say, where there is a will there's a way. I’ve been to Hawaii, Washington D.C., and Detroit. Now of course the girl’s trip was a blast, I am most proud of the trip with my kids. As many of you know, I’ve been fighting the anxiety bug when it comes to taking the kids places by myself. Well guess what… I did it! We took a weekend trip to the beach and BAAABY we had a time! We explored museums, playgrounds, dolphin tours, brunch, and more. So yes I have been a little inconsistent with my content and yes I have been MIA from the website but it was with all great intentions! I have been living! I want to encourage you to identify the life you want and find a way to live it! Do not spend a lot of time existing and following through with other people's plans that you forget about your own assignment! Follow me on IG @mommymetyme to keep up with me to see how the remainder of the year goes! Also check out 5 Ways to Save Money to see how I can afford to travel and still pay the bills.
By Marissa Craft December 31, 2022
Hey Girl, You did it! You made it! Oh how I know that this year has not been the ideal year you planned for it to be. You endured some tough days and some even tougher nights. You’ve dealt with betrayal, dishonesty, and insecurities that could've and probably should've taken you out. You cried tears and screamed more than anyone could imagine. You’ve consoled yourself and pulled yourself out of some dark places. You’ve felt more alone than you would have liked to. Even though you feel like this year was terrible, girl it wasn't. Let me tell you why. YOU GOT YOU BACK! Through all the disappointments you’ve identified how much strength you have. You have identified the things that make you jump for joy and the things/people that you will no longer tolerate. You found your time with God and strengthened your relationship with him. You have gained your power back! You have been able to adapt to your new role as a single mom seamlessly. You have learned to put yourself first and realized that you can't take care of anyone until you take care of yourself! You have been featured on three different podcasts. You’ve elevated your career. Yes I know you lost some things but the things you gained have been far more beneficial. I guess the saying is true, you can’t take everybody with you. I strongly believe God has taken you on a journey to declutter your life and identify the people and tasks that you should be focused on. I’m not sure you realize this but, God ordained this year! He has prepared you for a greater 2023. So continue to love, provide positivity, and joy. And don’t you forget God is faithful and consistent. ——— Remember this—for yourself and anyone who is reading—what makes you a warrior is not how many battles you win, but how you carry the weight of good and evil. Even if there are times where you just have to put that baggage down for a moment to recollect yourself, you are STILL a mighty warrior. Your blessings and victory will come to you. I leave you with this bible verse. Psalms 46:10: He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. Stay tuned to see what 2023 has for me! Follow me on instagram @mommymetyme
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