Burnout can leave us feeling physically drained, emotionally disconnected, and mentally foggy. But why does burnout happen?
Consider an actual fire. There are three primary reasons that a fire burns out.

1. It Has No More Fuel
A fire needs fuel to continue burning—whether it’s wood, paper, or some other material. If the fuel runs out, the fire dies. In the same way, when we don’t properly fuel our bodies, minds, and spirits, we lose the energy to keep going.
Many people push themselves to the limit, neglecting their own needs in the name of productivity. We cut corners on sleep, fuel our bodies with processed food instead of nutrient-dense options, and skip exercise in favor of other obligations. Our bodies need the right fuel to function at their best. Poor nutrition, lack of movement, and inadequate rest are sure-fire ways to make sure your fire has no fuel to work with. A well-nourished body with adequate sleep and regular exercise is like a fire constantly receiving fresh fuel—it has the energy to burn longer and brighter. Without it, we will eventually burnout.
2. It's Overloaded
Just like a fire needs oxygen to keep burning, we need space in our lives to thrive. If a burn barrel is stuffed full of tightly packed logs that can't get enough air, it can suffocate and go out. Similarly, when we take on too many responsibilities and tasks, we often find ourselves overwhelmed and unable to prioritize what truly matters.
We live in a world that glorifies being busy, where it’s easy to feel like we have to juggle endless demands—work, family, social obligations, and personal projects. But too much on our plates can prevent us from giving our full attention and energy to what truly matters. Prioritizing our time with intention is crucial to prevent burnout. We need to step back, reassess our commitments, and focus on what truly fuels us. By creating space to breathe—through mindfulness, setting boundaries, and saying "no" when needed—we allow ourselves the oxygen to continue burning brightly.
3. The Fire Never Really Catches
You may have gathered wood, lit the match, and hoped for the best, but if the kindling isn’t set up correctly, or if the conditions aren’t right, the fire doesn’t truly ignite. Maybe you threw a bunch of dried leaves on the wood, and it burned hot for a minute--but the fire never really had a chance to catch and get going. The same can happen in our lives when we aren’t aligned with our true values and goals. If what we’re doing doesn’t feel meaningful or authentic, it’s like throwing leaves on top of the wood—they may catch fire for a moment, but the flame quickly fades.
When our daily actions don’t match up with our core values or long-term vision, we may feel uninspired or burned out. It’s important to ensure that the work we do and the life we lead is in alignment with who we are and what we truly want. If we aren’t doing things that excite and fulfill us, we may never really "catch fire" in the first place.

Burnout isn’t a singular event—it’s a process that happens over time. Like a fire, we need to properly fuel ourselves, ensure we have space to breathe, and make sure that our actions align with our values. By addressing these three areas, we can keep our internal fires burning brightly, instead of letting them burn out too soon. Fuel yourself well, create balance in your life, and align your efforts with your passions, and you will have gone a long way toward avoiding burnout and maintaining long-lasting energy and fulfillment.
If you want to find out how you can support your leaders and teams in building burnout-proof wellbeing, contact me at lauren@laurenbcallahan.com.
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