Why businesswomen feel mentally drained early

“I’m exhausted.” It’s something I hear all the time from my clients. Women, especially Indian women, feel this deeply. → They’re tired of giving. → They’re overburdened with responsibilities. → They’re left with no time or energy for themselves. And yet, they keep doing more. Why? Because we’ve been conditioned to believe our worth comes from giving. Giving time, energy, support… to everyone but ourselves. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗼𝗲𝘀 At work, we don’t just help; we overhelp. → A colleague asks for input on a project? We anticipate every need and end up doing it ourselves. → We burn time and effort without asking if it’s what they even wanted—or if it aligns with our boss’s priorities. And what’s the result? We’re busy with busy work and forgotten when recognition time rolls around. At home, we do the same. → There’s always that one person who loves to complain but never takes action. → We spend hours listening, offering advice, only to realize they never cared enough to follow through. It’s no wonder we feel drained. 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗪𝗲 𝗗𝗼 𝗜𝘁 Because we want to be liked. Because we’re afraid of being seen as selfish. Because we don’t want to rock the boat. But let me tell you this: → Saying yes to everything doesn’t make you valuable; it makes you exhausted. → Selling yourself cheap doesn’t earn you respect; it erodes your self-worth. What Can You Do? 1️⃣ Pause and Ask Questions When someone asks for help, try: → “How can I support you?” → “What do you need from me?” You’ll often find they don’t even need much. 2️⃣ Time-Box Your Efforts → “I’d love to listen, but I have 10 minutes—will that work?” → Set boundaries that prioritize your emotional bandwidth. 3️⃣ Align with Priorities → When a colleague asks for help, clarify the scope. → Say, “I’ll need to run this by our boss to ensure it aligns with our goals.” 4️⃣ Be Strategic with Your Yes → Not every request deserves your time. → Focus on tasks that build your career, your relationships, and your joy. 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗞𝗲𝘆 The courage to say no, the ability to set boundaries—it all starts with self-confidence. When you believe in your worth, you stop trying to earn validation through overgiving. When you trust yourself, you choose where to give—and where to hold back. Let’s stop giving until we’re empty. Instead, let’s give ourselves the respect, care, and energy we deserve. If this resonates, and you’re ready to reclaim your confidence and your life, book a call with me. Let’s break the cycle. Share ♻️ this post because there's at least person in your network who could benefit from this

Women aren’t weak or slow — we’ve just been carrying too much, for too long. A few months ago, I was coaching a brilliant young woman in her early leadership journey. Sharp, strategic, self-aware — and still, she couldn’t shake off the feeling that she was “falling behind.” Why? Because her male colleagues seemed to move faster, take more risks, and rise more easily. But here’s what she forgot: She was not only leading at work. She was also managing a household, caring for aging parents, navigating microaggressions, proving her worth in every room, and still being told to “lean in.” This isn’t about excuses. It’s about context. Women aren’t behind because they’re incapable. They’re behind because they’re overburdened — with unpaid labor, emotional caregiving, cultural expectations, and invisible pressures that rarely get acknowledged. So the next time you think a woman is “not ambitious enough,” pause. Look again. She might just be tired of doing it all. Let’s stop measuring potential through a lens that was never built for women in the first place.

Why don't we talk about the fact that burnout is different for women? It has taken me nearly three decades to recognized burnout in myself, and to make the space and time to treat it with the care that it demands. This #HelloMondayPodcast conversation with Emily Nagoski & Amelia Nagoski pushed me to rethink what it actually is, and gave me better, more practical tools for managing it. Listen now: https://lnkd.in/gePD_xDw To me, understanding how gender impacts our experience of burnout was the great unlock. It won't surprise you to learn that women often face unique challenges that contribute to burnout. We're expected to juggle multiple roles: we are caregivers, professionals, and we're really trying hart to manage our social relationships. The gap between societal expectations and the reality of being a woman is a primary cause of burnout. We exhaust themselves trying to close this gap. So what does burnout look like? Physically, burnout in women can present as chronic fatigue, headaches, and gastrointestinal issues. Emotionally, it can lead to anxiety, depression, and a sense of hopelessness. Women might also experience burnout through behaviors like overworking, substance use, or withdrawing from social connections In this episode, Emily and Amelia provide practical strategies for building resilience, creating support systems, managing stress, setting boundaries, and prioritizing self-care. And critically, they remind us that what we are feeling makes sense. We are not alone. We can do something about it. #Burnout #MentalHealth #WomenInLeadership #SelfCare #Resilience

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙡 𝙡𝙤𝙖𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙣𝙤 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙨𝙚𝙚𝙨—𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙙𝙖𝙮. I'm sitting in my office, phone on dnd, savoring rare moments of quiet to practice my upcoming keynote speech. Then my daughter's call comes through – she's forgotten her gym bag. Again. For the third time this month. As I grab my car keys, speech notes still in hand, I catch myself doing that familiar mental juggle: "If I leave now, I'll still have 40 minutes to prep..." "Should I use this as a teaching moment about responsibility?" "Maybe I should create a morning checklist..." And just like that, my precious bubble of focus bursts into a cloud of logistics and meta-parenting dilemmas. 🤯 Maybe you’ve experienced this or something like: ☑️ You’re leading a critical strategy meeting, presenting to the executive team… but you’re also carrying this: ❌ Your child has a fever, and even though you have a co-parent, it’s still on you to figure out coverage (it's called being 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘂𝗽 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁). ❌ The nanny calls in sick, and you’re mentally rearranging the rest of your day. ❌ You’re focusing, performing, leading—but your bandwidth is already stretched thin. ☑️ You’re finally sitting down to batch-create content for your business in the next two weeks…and then: ❌ An email from your child’s kindergarten: “Can you bring in snacks for tomorrow’s event?” ❌ A call from your aging parent: “Can you help me with my insurance renewal?” ❌ Your partner walks in: “Since you’re home, can you just…” 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗲𝘁 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻. The invisible THINKING that happens even while we’re DOING. The weight of responsibilities that makes the professional playing field anything but LEVEL. The expectation that we will handle it all, seamlessly, because we’re “𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦.” The worst part is – 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝘀 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸. Because it’s not just what you DO. It’s what you CARRY. This is the hidden cost of being “reliable” and “good at juggling it all.” The reason why, at the end of the day, you feel exhausted—not just physically, but mentally. That load, if you let it, is stealing your ENERGY and FOCUS – the very resources you need to create THE LIFE YOU WANT. ➡️ If this resonates, let me know. I guarantee you're not alone. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝘀𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗱𝗮𝘆? Let's make it VISIBLE. P.S. Just because you CAN carry it all doesn't mean you SHOULD. And you don't have to figure out how to put it down alone. Imagine redirecting all that mental energy toward what truly matters to you. Ready to explore how? Let's talk. 📲 #MentalLoad #BreakingTheCycle #LiveUncaged ✨ 🙋🏻♀️ I’m Katia Vlachos, reinvention coach, author, speaker, and meditation teacher. 🚀 Let's launch your next chapter, boldly and unapologetically. Click 🔔 on my profile for more posts on this and similar topics. ✨

For 35 years, I worked in corporate America. I saw firsthand how executives wore the “I’ve got it all together” mask while privately battling stress, people-pleasing, and self-doubt. Today, I work with founders who, on paper, are “killing it.” But behind the scenes, they are emotionally drained. Yet, they seem addicted to the hamster wheel they live life on. They second-guess every decision and delay taking meaningful action. They have success but only see what they aren’t doing or producing. They carry the weight of their entire business 24/7 and never give themselves time to rest. They feel exhausted, and the only break comes from complete collapse when the body and mind finally force it upon them. I’ve developed a self-audit to help them quantify the hidden cost of staying in this unsustainable loop. High-functioning anxiety and doubt unknowingly have them making decisions that drain them mentally, emotionally, physically, and financially. Their overcommitment to "doing it all" slows their success and clouds what’s working. The cost of not addressing this is far greater than they realize. They are in a race to reach a milestone, but ironically, their behavior is slowing them down in seeing results. My self-audit tracks: - Which tasks make me feel energized or fulfilled? - Which tasks make me feel stressed and drained? - Where am I overexplaining, overcommitting, or overcompensating? - How often am I making decisions from anxiety and speed rather than clarity? Client Example: “I Can’t Slow Down” 👤 Meet Sarah, a founder of a coaching business that looks like a huge success from the outside. She’s doing well—clients, revenue, and a steady work stream. But inside? She’s barely holding on. - She feels guilty about taking time off because she firmly believes business will slow down. - She over-delivers in every client project out of fear they won’t stay. - She avoids hiring help because she doesn’t trust anyone to handle things like she does. - She works late at night and on weekends because she can’t turn her brain off. When we audited her decision-making process, we uncovered this: - She was saying YES to things that drained her to avoid conflict. - She was making fear-based choices, which slowed her long-term vision. - She was so used to functioning under stress that she mistook it for motivation. Anxiety-driven decisions create short-term relief but long-term exhaustion. I’m refining this into a repeatable process for founders—so they can build a business that feels good, not like a dreaded chore. Ready to see where you’re making anxiety-driven decisions (without realizing it)? Comment or message me “SELF-AUDIT,” and I’ll share the framework. ... I'm Susan Shier - Mental Stability & Business Alignment Strategist | Scale with Soul | Command Your Next Chapter in Business and Life without Collapsing Your Empire.

Overwhelm isn’t a sign of failure - it’s a signal that you need to make changes. Women business owners are more likely to fall into overwhelm, and it’s no wonder: 👉 We still do 60% more domestic labour than our partners. 👉 We’re more likely to be the one school calls when something happens. 👉 And let’s be honest - many of us enjoy feeling needed, even when it drains us. Overwhelm isn’t about how much we can handle - it’s about how much we allow ourselves to handle. That’s why my coaching always starts here: 1️⃣ Clarity on priorities: What truly matters? Family time? Health? Growth? Decide, unapologetically. 2️⃣ Mastery of tasks: Use priorities to guide your actions: - 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞: AI is your wingwoman for the repetitive stuff. - 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐞: If someone else can do it faster, better, OR cheaper, hand it off. (and PS, do not tell me your time is free, because its not) (only then) 𝐃𝐨: Focus on the high-impact, high-value tasks only you can do. Overwhelm doesn’t have to be your default. When we reclaim our time with clarity, automation, and delegation, we make space for the things that actually matter. Women are not born to be everyone’s Plan B. Share something you'd love to automate in the comments below, and I'll reply with my top tips. #WomenInBusiness #AI

Your burnout isn't weakness. It's intelligence. Your body's sending signals your mind should heed. You know that feeling. When your to-do list is endless, your calendar is packed, and somehow you're expected to keep showing up with a smile. As someone who's built a career in a demanding industry, I've been there. Burnout isn't just being tired. It's a slow drain of your passion and purpose. But here's what I've found: Belonging to a community that has your back makes all the difference. Before you can find your tribe, though, you need to recognize when you're running on empty. 10 Burnout Warning Signs Every Woman Should Know ...and actions you can take. 1. Cynicism has replaced your normal optimism → Everything seems pointless, colleagues frustrate you → Start a "gratitude buddy" system with a friend at work 2. Your memory betrays you constantly → Brain fog means you're dropping details you never would → Build a "second brain" using Notion or another digital system 3. Sunday night dread hits you like a wall → You once loved your work, now you feel only anxiety → Try setting Monday intentions: 3 small wins to focus on 4. The simplest decisions feel impossibly hard → Your brain's executive function is depleted → Create a "decision template" with 3 key questions for choices 5. Emotions feel either nonexistent or overwhelming → You're either completely numb or overreacting → Practice the 4-7-8 breathing technique during tough moments 6. Physical symptoms pile up mysteriously → Headaches, stomach issues, or insomnia appear → Try a "body scan" meditation during your commute or lunch 7. The word "no" has disappeared from your vocabulary → You're overcommitted because boundaries have slipped → Create email templates for graceful boundary-setting 8. Your self-care rituals have vanished entirely → When did you last do something just for your wellbeing? → Schedule "walking meetings" to combine movement and work 9. Work-life boundaries have completely collapsed → You're checking email at dinner and midnight → Use app blockers like Freedom during designated off hours 10. You're running on empty but can't slow down → The thought of pausing feels more stressful than pushing → Remember: Rest isn't a reward—it's a requirement Look, I'm no stranger to burnout myself. What helps me? Finding my people. And laughing as much as I can. Because when we have connections that matter, we don't have to soldier through alone. And sometimes just knowing someone gets it makes all the difference. So take a breath. Your work will still be there after you rest. And we'll be here too. Which sign hit closest to home? Share in the comments! ♻️ Repost to support those who might be struggling silently with burnout. 👉 Follow me Stephanie Eidelman (Meisel) for more ideas about managing your career. 📫 Subscribe to Women in Consumer Finance for tools and advice to advance your career. (https://hubs.la/Q03dY9_n0)

Balancing Business, Kids, family and Menopause: The Untold Story of Women Entrepreneurs Ever wonder how women entrepreneurs manage the demands of running a business while raising kids, caring for aging parents and going through menopause? It’s a reality that doesn’t get enough attention, and it’s time to talk about it. We see a lot of productivity hacks, high performance, the 5 am club, the list goes on & on and in many cases this does not represent women professionals & entrepreneurs. For a woman entrepreneur with young kids or aging parent. Her mornings start with the rush of school drop-offs, followed by a full day of client calls, team meetings, and putting out fires at work. Then, she’s back home: ✅Managing the household, ✅Caring for aging parents, ✅Helping with homework, ✅Sports activities, ✅Making dinner, ✅Story time… As if all that wasn’t enough, she’s may also be dealing with menopause. The fatigue, Brain fog, and Sleepiness nights. Some days, she can’t: ✔️Remember the details from a meeting ✔️Feels too drained to focus. She wants to be fully present for her business and her family, but the constant pressure is starting to show. Despite the challenges, She keeps pushing forward. But the reality is, she’s burning out🔥 And she’s not alone. Many women entrepreneurs face this same pressure, yet it’s rarely discussed in business circles. It’s time to change that. How can we support women entrepreneurs dealing with the demands of running a business, caring for family, and managing menopause? ☑️Flexible work schedules, ☑️More understanding teams, ☑️Peer support groups might be a start. What strategies or systems do you think could help women balance these challenges while continuing to thrive as entrepreneurs? I’d love to hear your ideas!💡 #Entrepreneurship #WomenInBusiness #WorkLifeBalance #MenopauseAwareness