I was a perfect burnout candidate; I realize that now. Always trying to do the right thing, committed to supporting others, with a great sense of responsibility and the ability to persevere. I strived to combine perfectly the role of caring mother and partner, with getting ahead professionally. I sought out opportunities, even abroad, and my beautiful qualities helped me. After a career switch from nurse to project assistant with a multinational I worked my way up within different companies. As change manager, my day-goal was to support employees during organisational change and with the uncertainty and stress that this brings along. In the evenings, I spent three years studying to become a health coach.

I thought that I could handle my busy life and I was proud of what I achieved, working hard, even when I was tired. But gradually I started to run out of energy and getting through the day became a real struggle. The burnout did not creep up on me, it announced itself well in advance. I was constantly tired and had trouble concentrating. I woke up at night regularly, worrying about everything I had to take care of. I hated what was going on with me, but I felt obliged to keep going! I worked at night and during the weekend and the harder I pushed myself the more warning signals my body issued. Then it finally dawned on me that my body was screaming, “Stop!"