Why You’re Burnt Out This Summer (Even Though You're “Out of Office”)
Updated Aug 26
Summer was supposed to feel lighter. So why do you feel even more exhausted?
Perhaps you were counting down to slower mornings, time away from work and the chance to finally switch off. But now you are here, and instead of feeling restored, you are irritable, struggling to sleep, mentally overloaded or wondering why you cannot seem to enjoy the break you were looking forward to.
For many high-achieving women, summer does not remove the conditions that created burnout. Work may slow down, but mental load, responsibility, invisible labour and a nervous system that has been running in overdrive can continue.
Sometimes the change in routine makes just how depleted you are even harder to ignore.
The Promise of Summer and the Pressure Behind It
We’re sold a vision of summer as the ultimate time to reset:
☀️Sunshine, presence, rest, family memories.
But the reality?
❌No routine
❌Less structure
❌More mental load
❌Higher expectations (and often, less support)
Even when you’re “off work,” you’re still on - emotionally, mentally, logistically. The invisible labour women carry behind the scenes ramps up during summer. And when that gap widens between what was promised and what you're actually experiencing? The nervous system takes a hit.
Why Burnout Doesn’t Take a Summer Holiday
Burnout isn't just a workplace phenomenon.
Burnout can develop when sustained demand, responsibility and internal pressure continue for too long without enough recovery or support. Taking time off work can help, but it does not automatically remove everything else you have been carrying.
If you are wondering whether what you are experiencing is actually burnout, my fuller guide to burnout in high-achieving women explores the signs, symptoms and why burnout can remain hidden when you are still functioning and getting things done.
You might be…
Coordinating childcare and holiday logistics
Hosting and supporting others emotionally
Trying to “be present” while managing everyone’s needs
Doing it all… without the structure that normally keeps you going
And all of this while your inner critic whispers:
"Why can’t you just enjoy this?"
The result? You feel guilty, disconnected, and depleted.
The Nervous System Is Still Switched On
Here’s the key piece most people miss:
Your nervous system doesn’t automatically regulate just because you’ve logged out of work.
If you’ve been operating in stress mode (fight/flight/freeze/fawn) for months - or even years - then a holiday won’t magically reset that. In fact, slowing down might feel uncomfortable at first. It can even trigger a stress response in itself.
You’re not weak.
You’re not doing summer wrong.
Your body and mind may simply have spent so long responding to pressure that they have not yet shifted out of high alert just because your out-of-office is on.
You’re Not Alone - This Is a Global Pattern
I see this in women across the UK, Australia, Europe, and beyond - inside my Thrive Together coaching programme, in 1:1 clients, and in my inbox.
Women who are medics, teachers, CEOs, creatives, entrepreneurs - all saying the same thing:
“I thought the summer would help. But I feel worse.”
What you’re experiencing is not that you lack motivation.
It’s not personal failure.
It’s nervous system dysregulation, coupled with chronic emotional and cognitive overload.
You Can’t Force Presence - You Have to Create Safety First
If you’re feeling snappy with your kids, disconnected from your partner, or like you’re missing the very moments you longed for… it’s not because you’re not appreciating it all.
Presence needs capacity.
It needs enough space for your attention to land in the moment rather than constantly scanning ahead to what needs doing next.
And when you have been operating in overdrive for a long time, that shift may not happen simply because the calendar says you are on holiday.
So if it feels out of reach right now - let's be mindful that the inner critic will try to add guilt on top. Your nervous system is doing its best with the perfect overwhelm and burnout storm it's been in.
A Better Way Forward (Even If You Only Have 10 Minutes)
You don’t need a week off to begin recalibrating. You need small, intentional acts of support.
Here are 3 nervous system-friendly ideas to try this week:
Step outside and take 5 deep breaths with both feet on the ground
Put your phone away for 10 minutes and sip a warm drink slowly
Take a shower like it’s a ritual, not a rush — music optional, presence required
Even 10 minutes can send a powerful signal to your body that you’re safe, cared for, and allowed to slow down.
Need help knowing where to start?
If you are feeling burnt out, overwhelmed or unsure where to begin, my free guide 5 Ways to Beat Overwhelm offers five simple ways to create a little more space and steadiness without giving yourself another long list of things to do.
It’s short, science-backed, and soul-aligned - designed specifically for high-achieving women who feel stuck in survival mode. These five micro-practices can help you start feeling better today.
You Deserve More Than Just Making It Through
You deserve a life that doesn’t require collapsing on holiday to feel semi-human again.
You deserve presence - not just on special occasions, but in the small moments too.
You deserve a life that feels like you.
And it starts by acknowledging what’s happening beneath the surface - then taking one small step to tend to it.
Sending you calm and a gentle invitation to exhale.
With love,
SaraLou x
p.s. If you would rather explore this by listening, I go deeper into summer burnout, invisible labour and why it can feel so difficult to switch off in Episode 9: When Summer Doesn’t Feel Like a Break.
Disclaimer: This blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not therapy or medical advice and should not be considered a substitute for working with a qualified professional.
