The Reality of Teacher Burnout: Understanding Your Feelings as an Educator
Teaching is more than a job—it’s a calling. But what happens when the passion that once drove you starts to feel like a burden?
If you find yourself feeling drained, unmotivated, or overwhelmed by your role as an educator, you’re not alone. Burnout is a very real and common experience for many teachers, and it’s okay to admit that you're struggling.
Recognizing and understanding these feelings is the first step toward change.
Why Educators Feel Burnt Out: Let’s be honest—teaching can be exhausting. From endless paperwork to meeting diverse student needs, the emotional and physical demands often leave little time for self-care or the things in life that bring you joy. Before you know it, your weekends are overtaken by lesson planning and grading papers. For some, it’s the burden of a second job, just to be able to make ends meet.
Over time, the workload, constant changes in the education system, and the pressure to meet everyone’s expectations can lead to chronic stress. You begin feeling undervalued or even questioning your ability to make an impact, and these emotions often lead to burnout.
If you’ve reached the point where you’re running on empty and wondering if there’s another way, you’re in the right place.
What we often neglect, is the importance of processing our emotions.
It’s devastating to realize that the career you’ve dedicated so much time and effort to, after years of education and commitment, has brought you to this moment. You may be grappling with feelings of frustration, sadness, or even anger...
You’re not alone. So many of us are feeling this way and my goal is to help you process these feelings and plan for what might be next for you…
Signs You Might Be Experiencing Burnout:
Physical Exhaustion: You’re always tired, no matter how much rest you get.
Emotional Fatigue: Small challenges feel insurmountable, and you struggle to maintain a positive attitude.
Disconnection: You no longer feel the same passion for your work or the students you once loved teaching.
Overwhelm: The to-do list feels never-ending, and it’s hard to focus on one task without being pulled in another direction.
Self-Doubt: You’ve started questioning your abilities, wondering if you’re even making a difference anymore.
Now that you’ve taken a moment to consider whether what you’re feeling is burnout.. it’s time to take the next step of processing your emotions 💙
Take Action: Reflect Through Journaling
Understanding your burnout is the key to moving forward. To help you process your emotions and identify specific stressors, try journaling. Take some time to reflect on your current state using these prompts:
How do I feel at the end of each teaching day?
What specific aspects of my job do I enjoy and love the most? What specific aspects of my job cause me the most stress or frustration?
What moments or tasks, if any, still bring me joy in teaching?
What aspects of teaching used to bring me joy, and when did those feelings begin to change?
If I could change anything about my current situation, what would it be?
What would life look like for me if I weren’t teaching anymore?
If I could design my ideal workday, what would it look like?
These prompts are designed to help you dig deeper into your feelings and uncover the root causes of your burnout. Sometimes, seeing your emotions on paper can make them easier to process and provide clarity on what’s next.
Burnout is a signal, not a failure. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, it’s important to understand that these emotions don’t mean you’re not good at your job.
They simply mean that something in your life or career needs to change.
By taking the time to reflect on your burnout, you’re already taking a critical first step toward regaining control of your well-being.
In next week’s blog post, we’ll explore how to reconnect with your passions and start imagining a life beyond the classroom.
But for now, take some time to journal and reflect. Your journey toward a more fulfilling, balanced life starts with understanding where you are today.
If you’re feeling burnt out and ready for a change, you’re not alone. Download my free 5-Step Exit Plan Checklist to start planning your transition from educator to entrepreneur, and take your first step toward a more fulfilling career.
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