London is an incredible place to build a career; but it also comes with a non-stop, high-pressure work culture that can leave you completely drained. I learned this the hard way when I found myself working late every night, feeling exhausted on weekends, and questioning if I even enjoyed my job anymore.
Burnout creeps up quietly, but once you spot the signs, you can take steps to reset, recharge, and find a healthier balance. Here’s what helped me.
1. Recognising the Signs of Burnout
For me, burnout didn’t hit like a dramatic movie moment; it was more like a slow fade from motivated to mentally checked out. Some signs I ignored for too long:
⚡ Constant exhaustion – No matter how much I slept, I was always tired.
⚡ Lack of motivation – I used to love my job, but suddenly, everything felt like a chore.
⚡ Brain fog & forgetfulness – Missing deadlines, zoning out in meetings, and feeling overwhelmed by small tasks.
⚡ Irritability & stress – Snapping at emails that normally wouldn’t bother me.
Burnout doesn’t just affect work; it spills into your social life, health, and even how you feel about yourself. That’s when I knew I needed to make some changes.
2. Setting Boundaries & Taking Work Breaks
London’s hustle culture makes it feel like you should always be available, but learning to set boundaries literally saved me.
✔ I stopped checking emails after hours – Nothing is that urgent. Work will still be there tomorrow.
✔ I took actual lunch breaks – No more eating at my desk while replying to emails.
✔ I blocked off time for “no-work zones” – Evenings and weekends became mine again.
Just those small shifts helped me feel less overwhelmed and more in control of my time.
3. Recharging: Mini Staycations & Mindful Breaks
Burnout recovery doesn’t always mean quitting your job; it means finding ways to recharge before you hit a breaking point.
🏡 Mini Staycations – Even just one night in a different London neighbourhood helped reset my mind. A cute Airbnb, a long walk, and zero emails? Bliss.
🌳 Mindful Breaks – A morning walk with Clarkie in Hampstead Heath or a solo coffee date with no phone scrolling helped me reset.
📖 Creative Outlets – Writing, reading, or even just journaling my thoughts made a difference in how I processed stress.
Final Thoughts
Burnout doesn’t go away on its own; you have to recognise the signs and take action before it fully takes over. Learning to say no, set boundaries, and take breaks has helped me love my work again, without letting it consume me.
London will always be a fast-paced city, but that doesn’t mean we have to burn ourselves out trying to keep up.
