Burnout isn’t just “I’m tired.” It’s the slow slide from disappointment → resentment → stuck → hopeless. In this candid convo, Hannah and Tara unpack their own burnouts (post-mat-leave, caregiving during COVID, misaligned work, the motherhood penalty) and the skills that pulled them out: communicating your value, setting real boundaries, and practicing minimum-viable self-care that actually fits your life. Expect practical tools, not fluff—plus a little Cardi B, linear interpolation, and the reminder that you are the glass ball.
Timestamps
- 00:44 Cold open: math brain vs. words (linear interpolate, anyone?)
- 02:20 Why this topic: 90% of Hannah’s IG poll said “burnout.”
- 04:24 Tara’s story: return from mat leave, COVID, caregiving, zero control.
- 06:54 “Soul-burnout”: values misalignment & feeling unseen at work.
- 08:26 The pattern Hannah sees in clients: job-hopping without learning to communicate value.
- 11:03 Boundaries as first self-care: saying no, visibility without the ick.
- 12:56 The burnout spiral (disappointment → resentment → stuck → hopeless).
- 15:06 Self-care skepticism & reframes (no, it’s not just nails + facials).
- 19:39 Boundaries at home: calendar the “you” time; expect an adjustment period.
- 29:26 “Be the girl of your dreams”: enjoying your own company.
- 30:46 Glass vs. plastic balls: you are glass; a spotless house is plastic.
- 32:39 Outsource if you can; if not, lower the bar without the shame.
- 38:30 Minimum-viable self-care: a single intentional breath on the worst day.
- 41:22 On-desk reset: quick breathwork before a big meeting.
- 44:45 Micro-goals that survive your busiest week (behavioral activation).
- 51:00 Authentic self-care: pick what fills you, not what trends.
- 56:06 Join the Pod Squad & share your wins.
- 56:28 How to reach us + wrap.
Try it this week (5-minute game plan)
- Name your balls: List everything on your plate. Mark GLASS (must not drop) vs PLASTIC (can bounce).
- Draw one line: Write a single “no” you’ll use at work (e.g., “I’m at capacity—here are my current priorities.”).
- Schedule 30–60 minutes for you (calendar it). Afterward, write three feelings you noticed.
- Visibility rep: Send a 3-line update highlighting a win, impact, and next step.
- On-desk reset: 60 seconds of box breathing before your next meeting.
Resources mentioned
- Glass vs. Plastic Balls prioritization analogy.
- Breathwork/meditation for quick regulation (any app or a 60-second timer works).
- Prior episode tie-in: Imposter Syndrome (on anxiety vs. healthy stretch).
Keep in touch
- DM us on Instagram: @stemwithhannah or @simplysortedstem
- Email: femaledominatedpod@gmail.com
- Share your “you-time” experiment: What did you do? How did you feel? Use #FemaleDominatedPodSquad so we can cheer you on.
