Ever find yourself lying awake at night, replaying that one comment you made in a meeting? Or sitting at your desk, physically present but mentally spiralling, trying to look calm while your thoughts race?
Workplace anxiety doesn’t always look like panic attacks or meltdowns. Often, it’s quiet, hidden under layers of professionalism. You smile. You hit your deadlines. You say yes. But inside, you feel like you’re barely holding it together.
If that sounds familiar, you're not alone.
“I just need to get through this week...”
High-functioning anxiety can be easy to miss because from the outside, it often looks like ambition. Reliability. Being the one who can be counted on.
But what it feels like inside is very different. You might be:
- Constantly second-guessing yourself or over-preparing, just in case
- Feeling guilty for taking breaks or needing time off
- Avoiding speaking up because of the fear of sounding stupid
- Struggling to say no, even though you’re already stretched too thin
- Holding in your emotions all day and then crashing the moment you get home
Over time, this kind of pressure builds. You might tell yourself you're just tired or going through a busy patch. But there’s a difference between being busy and being burnt out.
What’s really going on?
Workplace anxiety often stems from deeper patterns, like perfectionism, people-pleasing, or believing your worth is tied to your productivity. These beliefs might have started years ago, but they often show up most strongly at work.
And burnout? It’s not just about working long hours. It’s emotional exhaustion. Feeling disconnected. Losing your sense of purpose. You might notice yourself going through the motions, dreading Mondays before Sunday’s even finished, and wondering how long you can keep this up.
Signs you might be burning out
Burnout doesn’t always shout - sometimes it whispers. Here are a few signs worth paying attention to:
- You’re more irritable or emotionally sensitive than usual
- You feel numb or disconnected from your work, even if it once meant a lot
- Your sleep is disrupted, or you're waking up tired
- Small tasks feel overwhelming or pointless
- You're relying more on caffeine, alcohol, or other distractions to cope
If you’ve been telling yourself to “just push through,” it might be time to ask: at what cost?
So what can you do about it?
There’s no quick fix here — and that’s not what I offer. But there are steps you can take that are both gentle and effective.
- Pause before you push.
Instead of defaulting to “yes,” try creating a moment of space. Even just pausing to ask yourself, “Do I actually want to do this?” can help you reconnect with what matters. - Anchor yourself in your values.
Rather than chasing perfection or approval, ask: “How do I want to show up in this situation?” Whether it’s with kindness, calm, or honesty, values help you find your way when the pressure gets loud. - Give yourself permission to rest.
Rest isn’t laziness or failure. It’s what allows you to function. And if that feels hard, you’re not alone. Guilt around rest is common, especially if you’ve learned to measure your worth by how productive you are. - Talk to someone.
You don’t have to carry this alone. Whether it's therapy, trusted friends, or colleagues, opening up can shift the shame that so often comes with burnout.
You don’t have to reach breaking point to make a change
If you’re reading this and recognising yourself in these words, please know that this is not a personal failure. You're not weak. You're not dramatic. You're human, and you’re doing your best in a world that doesn’t always make space for slowness, rest, or imperfection.
Change doesn’t happen overnight, and it doesn’t have to start with quitting your job or overhauling your life. Often, it begins with something small: asking for support. Saying no once. Choosing rest without guilt.
And if you’re ready to explore what those changes might look like for you, I’m here when you need me.