Overcoming Burnout: My Journey from Empty to Spiritually Restored
If you’d looked at my life a couple years ago, you would’ve thought, “Wow, she’s crushing it!” On the outside, things were amazing.
I had the dream job, a thriving marriage, beautiful home in Texas, and plenty of success.
But beneath the shiny surface, I was empty.
Burned out.
Spiritually dry.
Completely overwhelmed.
Turns out, you can have a life filled to the brim and still feel completely empty. Heh. Who knew?
How Did I Even Get Here?
So let’s backtrack a bit. I’ve been deeply involved in Christian women’s ministry and women’s coaching since 2010 and became a pastor’s wife in 2011. In 2013, we planted a church in Northern Virginia where I juggled homeschooling our kids, leading women’s ministries, and growing my online coaching business.
Life was full, beautiful, and a wee bit exhausting.
In addition to all that, in 2019, I was invited to take on a new role helping women build their own businesses from home. It was an exciting opportunity combining my passion for teaching, tech, productivity, creativity, and business growth.
I quickly advanced to become Executive Director of Operations, helping the company scale from a $1 million organization to a $4 million powerhouse.
Around this same time, we moved to Texas, built our dream home, and spent time healing from some too-painful-to-talk-about church experiences.
Professionally, both my husband and I were soaring.
But even success has its limits.
Without realizing it, I had said “yes” to too many good things. At this point, my personal ministry was barely breathing, my coaching business had dwindled, and my spiritual fire was completely extinguished. Inside, I felt miles away from who God created me to be.
The Slow Fade into Burnout
Burnout is a sneaky, sneaky thing. I didn’t see it coming. But there I was. Physically exhausted, mentally drained, spiritually dry. I was a wreck.
God felt distant because I’d lost touch with the one thing He created me specifically to do: minister deeply to women. Turns out you can say yes to too many good things and completely lose the ability to say yes to the God thing.
God’s Wake-Up Call & My Slow, Stubborn Obedience
God began gently but firmly nudging my heart: “You’re empty because you’re filling yourself up with everything but Me.”
He called me away from the “dream job,” but it took me six months of wrestling and stubbornness to finally say yes. It was terrifying. He was asking me to leave behind the safety of success and step back into the unknown.
But deep down, I knew faithful obedience was the only way forward.
Through a whole lot of questions, pouting, and tears, I stepped out in faith.
It was uncomfortable in every way you can imagine. I had lost sight of who I was, but as followed one step at a time in the direction God was leading, He began chipping away at the overgrowth so I could see again.
Healing Burnout Naturally: Finding Restoration Outdoors
We moved back to Virginia, but this time we didn’t land in our usual subdivision surrounded by sidewalks and people. Instead, we bought land. God took me outdoors and healed me in the dirt, sunshine, and simplicity.
We built a huge garden with 22 raised beds, got chickens (yes, chickens!), and added some adorable golden retrievers to the mix. Turns out healing burnout naturally can look a lot like dirt under your fingernails and chickens poo under your boots.
Who knew?
God knew.
In the quiet of gardening, caring for animals, and simply resting, God spoke clearly through Scripture, prayer, audiobooks, and a whole lotta praise music. In a way that only a loving Father can, He restored me — spiritually, physically, emotionally.
The fire He’d placed inside me reignited brighter than ever.
Restored, Renewed, & Clearer Than Ever
Today, I’m fully restored, spiritually refreshed, and clearer than ever about my calling. My passion is reignited, and I’m back doing exactly what God wired me to do: coaching, ministering to women around the world, and yes, even planting a church again (talk about full-circle redemption!)
I didn’t just bounce back — I came back stronger, a bit wiser, and with a powerful God-centered story to share.
How to Overcome Burnout: Maybe You’re Here, Too
If you’re feeling burned out, empty, or distant from your true calling, know this: burnout doesn’t have to be the end. It might be the reset God plans to use powerfully.
Your story isn’t over. In fact, your best chapter might just be starting now.
