One Step Forward, Two Steps Back: Navigating Burnout in Uncertain Times
It feels like we’ve been here before.
The uncertainty. The heaviness. The conversations whispered in break rooms or typed into late-night messages: “I thought we were past this.” Burnout, anxiety, and collective fatigue are creeping back in—not unlike those early pandemic days when everything felt unpredictable and overwhelming.
Just when we started to feel like we were getting our footing, something shifts again. The world feels loud. The pace feels impossible. And many of us are exhausted.
If you’re feeling that too, you’re not alone. But here’s the thing: when everything feels out of control, we still have some control.
Here are three things you can do—right now—to protect your energy and mental health:
Remember, You Have the Skills to Get Through This
“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most adaptable to change.” – Charles Darwin
Resilience isn’t about being tough or never struggling. It’s actually two things:
1) Learning to bounce back after adversity, and
2) Learning from what we’ve gone through before.
We have all been through things before and only one thing is for certain, if you are reading this, you are still here.
What are the important lessons you’ve learned through the change in the last 5 years? What can you take from that to help you now?
Resilience is building on all the challenges we have faced. Look at how resilient you are!
Limit What (and Who) You Consume
News cycles thrive on urgency. Social media thrives on outrage. And some people? Thrive on draining your energy. Be mindful of what you take in. Set boundaries—online and in real life.
You don’t have to be uninformed, but you also don’t need a constant IV drip of negativity. Check in with yourself: Does this make me feel heavier or more hopeful? Then adjust accordingly.
Do One Helpful Thing (Just One)
Burnout can make everything feel too big. So don’t try to fix the world today. Instead, choose one helpful thing:
✔️ Take a walk
✔️ Text a friend
✔️ Log off for 10 minutes
✔️ Drink some water
✔️ Cross off one small task
One helpful action leads to another. That’s how momentum works—and it builds your sense of control when things feel out of hand.
You’re Not Failing—You’re Navigating
If it feels like one step forward, two steps back… that’s not failure. That’s just being human in hard times. Give yourself the grace to move slowly, the permission to rest, and the space to adapt.
Because forward is still forward—even if it doesn’t feel like it today. 💛
Theresa Bailey is a bestselling author and the exclusive North American provider of Play Doh Power Solutions Corporate Training.
