Burnout Isn’t Just About Workload — And You Don’t Need to Quit to Fix It

Let’s clear something up straight away: burnout isn’t always about how much you’re doing.

It’s just as much about how you’re doing it, why you’re doing it, and whether any of it even feels like it matters.

For Executive Assistants, this can be a bit of a trap. You might be on top of your tasks, well-organised, ticking boxes. But underneath that control, there’s emotional overload.

You’re anticipating needs before they’re spoken, putting out fires that aren’t yours, and constantly switching gears - all while keeping a smile on your face.

Sound familiar?

Here’s what I see most often when EAs hit burnout mode:

• Saying yes too often (even when it’s a screaming no inside)

• Taking responsibility for things outside of your role

• Not feeling seen or valued, despite giving everything

• No real space to pause, reflect or even breathe

The worst part? Burnout in EAs often goes unnoticed - because from the outside, it looks like you’re still “managing.” But internally, it’s exhausting. And slowly, the spark starts to fade.

But here’s the good news: you don’t need to take a six-month sabbatical or fly to Bali (unless you want to!) to reset.

You can realign and feel more grounded - without walking away from your role.

Here’s how:

Create breathing room in your schedule.

Not everything needs to be jam-packed. Block time for thinking, planning, prioritising. You’re not a machine - you’re a strategic support partner. Give yourself space to do that well.

Get clear on your role - and what you want it to be.

Don’t just react to what lands on your desk. Be proactive about how you shape your days. What work fuels you? What drains you? What’s actually in your scope?

Make space for your own goals.

You’re brilliant at supporting someone else’s vision - but what about your own? Career satisfaction comes from feeling like you are growing, not just your Exec.

Have honest conversations.

Boundaries are not a one-time thing. They evolve, they get pushed, and they need to be reinforced. Don’t be afraid to revisit them when things feel off.

Because here’s the thing: you're allowed to take up space.

To reset. To rethink how you work and what you need to keep doing it well.

Burnout doesn’t have to be your baseline. Realignment is possible - and it doesn’t need to be dramatic to be effective. Small shifts can bring big relief.

So if you’re feeling stretched thin, take that as your signal. Not to stop - but to pause, breathe, and make space to come back to yourself. You deserve that much, at the very least.

And more than that - you’ll be better for it.

Nina 🌻