Most people think of burnout recovery as catching their breath, lightening their workload, or taking a much-needed break.
And while rest is essential, it’s not the whole story.
Because burnout recovery is only part of the work.
The real transformation happens when you reclaim your identity — when you stop living in survival mode and reconnect with the person you were before exhaustion, external expectations, and unrelenting demands rewrote your story.
When Burnout Makes You Feel Unlike Yourself
Burnout doesn’t just show up as fatigue. One of the most recognized tools for assessing burnout, the Maslach Burnout Inventory, identifies a stage called depersonalization — when you feel emotionally detached from your work, your responsibilities, and even the people you care about.
It’s that unsettling feeling of moving through your days on autopilot, watching yourself from the outside. You may look the same to others, but inside, you know you’re not showing up as the person you used to be (Maslach, Jackson, & Leiter, 1996).
How Burnout Erodes Meaning – and Why That Matters for Identity
Burnout doesn’t just drain your energy — it can also drain your sense of purpose. Researcher Arie Shirom explains that burnout compromises motivation, satisfaction, and the meaning that anchors our sense of self.
When meaning fades, identity begins to unravel. You’re left wondering:
- Who am I now?
- What do I really want?
- What’s mine to carry — and what’s someone else’s expectation?
These aren’t just career questions — they’re identity questions (Shirom, 2005).
The Invisible Weight for Women of Color
For high-performing women of color, burnout often comes with a heavier, invisible load.
It’s not only the demands of the job – it’s navigating a workplace where bias, cultural expectations, and the unspoken “prove-it-again” pressure are baked into the system. Studies consistently show that women of color report higher rates of workplace stress and burnout, especially in environments where their full identities are minimized or overlooked.
This lack of recognition doesn’t just make the work harder -it can make you feel unseen, undervalued, and disconnected from the authentic self you’ve had to set aside just to survive professionally.
Rest Alone Won’t Bring You Home
Here’s the truth: I don’t help women “bounce back” – because going back to the same patterns, systems, and self-sacrifice that burned you out isn’t healing. It’s self-abandonment… again.
True healing is reclamation. It’s about:
- Reconnecting with who you are beneath the titles, tasks, and expectations
- Remembering the version of you that existed before the world told you who to be
- Resetting your relationship with your authentic self so you lead your life in a way that honors your truth
A Moment to Reflect
If you’ve been feeling disconnected or unlike yourself, try starting with these questions:
- When was the last time I felt fully alive and aligned?
- What parts of me have I set aside in order to succeed?
- Where am I saying “yes” when my whole being wants to say “no”?
Your answers aren’t just thoughts — they’re breadcrumbs leading you back to yourself.
How the POWER HOUR Identity Reclamation Session Helps
That’s why I created the POWER HOUR Identity Reclamation Session — a 60-minute, deeply focused experience designed to help you:
- Get clarity on who you are beyond the roles you play
- Reconnect to your personal definition of success
- Create a next-step plan that honors your energy and values
And it’s not just theory, here’s what others who’ve worked with me recently have shared:
“Thank you again for offering your time and services to me. Our conversation was so inspiring and informative, and funny enough, the next day I received a volunteer opportunity for teens. Look how God works. I feel more equipped to move forward in expanding my skills and experiences and building relationships.”
“Nicki, it was so great to meet you. You are who I needed back in 2011. I can’t wait to connect with you further.”
“I took your advice and started reaching higher! I just accepted a federal position… It’s an EAP Manager role. No direct practice, thank God! I plan to live in [private], and my start date is in June.”
These aren’t just feel-good stories, they’re proof of what happens when you stop abandoning yourself, reconnect with your authentic identity, and lead your life from a place of wholeness.
Your Next Step
Burnout may have knocked you off your path, but reclaiming your identity ensures you don’t just get back on track — you create a new one that’s built for you, by you.
If you’re ready to stop shrinking, stop performing, and stop abandoning yourself, this is your moment to step into the fullness of who you are.
Click to book your POWER HOUR session now.
Nicki Sanders, MSW, is committed to career development, professional development, and organizational development. As Founder and CEO of Nicki Sanders Leadership Consulting, her mission is simple – to eliminate toxic workplaces by developing skilled, empathetic, and goal-oriented leaders who have the vision, support, and resources to create a culture where business prospers, and employees thrive individually and collectively. Nicki has an extensive background in nonprofit management leading high-functioning, multi-disciplinary teams, volunteer recruitment and retention, and social impact programming. She is a thought leader dedicated to dismantling the outdated, narrow view of social work and an accomplished professor, coach, trainer, and group facilitator who has combined her gift for authentic relationships, Master of Social Work degree, and over 20 years of diverse work experience to create a life and career aligned with her values and purpose. She is a lover of nature, cupcakes, travel, and 80’s hip hop and R&B music.
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