top of page

Search
Burnout Recovery
All myth-busting content


“No One Even Checked On Me”: The Emotional Reality Many Injured Workers Face
One of my injured worker clients recently said to me, “It’s actually really isolating because you deal with these people on a daily basis and then all of a sudden it’s just … gone.” That sentence stayed with me. So many injured workers describe the same experience after lodging a claim, silence, distance, and no one checking if they’re okay. Workplaces often underestimate the emotional impact of feeling forgotten during one of the most vulnerable periods of someone’s life.

Merly Hartnett
May 263 min read


Feeling Stuck in Your Career? This Might Be Why
Before you try to figure out your next career move, it’s worth understanding this: your capacity for clarity, energy, and decision-making is shaped by your nervous system.

Merly Hartnett
Apr 293 min read


Returning to Work After Burnout Isn’t Just About Readiness, It’s About Safety
Returning to work after burnout isn’t just about readiness, it’s about feeling safe. Therapy helps process the experience, but coaching bridges recovery and work, supporting capacity, boundaries, and sustainable performance. I’ve seen this with teachers like Rebecca, who rediscovered confidence and purpose by approaching work differently. Organisations can benefit from coaching that supports people and their teams.

Merly Hartnett
Mar 203 min read


Recharging Without Guilt: Simple Daily Recharge Rituals for Busy Women
As a working mum and solopreneur, I know how hard it is to take time for yourself without feeling guilty. In this post, I share simple, science-backed daily rituals from mini mindfulness moments to joyful hobbies that help you recharge your energy, reduce stress, and show up as your best self without the overwhelm.

Merly Hartnett
Oct 18, 20253 min read


The Real Cost of Burnout: How It Impacts Your Career, Health, and Family Life
Burnout isn’t just feeling tired, it silently drains your career, health, and family life. As a working mum and solopreneur, I share my personal experiences and research-backed insights to help you recognise burnout early and take practical steps to reclaim your energy, confidence, and joy.

Merly Hartnett
Oct 4, 20253 min read


Burnout Isn’t Just Fatigue, 7 Signs You’re Closer Than You Think
Burnout isn’t just feeling tired, it’s when no amount of rest seems to refill your tank. For high-achieving women, it often creeps in quietly, disguised as “just being busy” until your mind, body, and emotions are running on fumes. In this post, I share 7 subtle signs you might be closer to burnout than you realise, plus a simple step you can take today to start reclaiming your energy.

Merly Hartnett
Aug 15, 20252 min read


The Truth About Self-Care: What Working Mums Really Need to Recover from Burnout
Self-care is often sold to mums as bubble baths, face masks, and a night off but the truth runs deeper. Real self-care means boundaries, support, and rest that doesn’t feel earned. In this blog, I bust the myth of self-care as indulgence and explore what it really looks like for working mums recovering from burnout. It’s time to redefine self-care as essential, not optional.

Merly Hartnett
Aug 5, 20254 min read


Career Grief Is Real: How to Recover After Burnout and Job Loss
Grief after job loss or burnout is real and it’s often overlooked. As a burnout and resilience coach, I support women navigating career grief after toxic workplaces, layoffs, or breakdowns. Before rushing into “what’s next,” I help them process what’s happened, rebuild their confidence, and create aligned careers that feel safe, fulfilling, and sustainable. Because healing is the first step toward clarity.

Merly Hartnett
Aug 1, 20253 min read


“Only CEOs Can Afford a Coach” Busting the Myth That’s Keeping Women Burnt Out and Stuck
Think coaching is only for high-powered CEOs? Think again. In this honest and myth-busting post, Merly Hartnett shares why coaching isn’t a luxury, it’s a lifeline. Designed for real women, especially burnt-out mums and overwhelmed professionals, this post explores how support can be accessible even on a budget and why you don’t need a big title or paycheck to start choosing yourself.

Merly Hartnett
Jul 10, 20255 min read


Burnout Is More Than Mental: Here’s How Your Body Shows the Signs
Burnout shows up in your body too, not just your mind. Learn the physical signs of burnout and how to start healing with simple, evidence-based steps.

Merly Hartnett
Jul 1, 20253 min read


The Hidden Cost of Clutter: Why Your Home Mess Might Be Fueling Burnout
Today, I was on LinkedIn pretending to be professional while secretly avoiding folding and putting away a pile of washing that had...

Merly Hartnett
Jun 10, 20253 min read


Why Nearly Half of Applicants Missed a Key Step and What It Says About Burnout & Alignment
I helped a client apply for a role the other day, and after she submitted her application, she sent me a screenshot of how many people applied for the job (highlighting in yellow for me!). But you know what stood out most? Only 52% included a cover letter. That means nearly half of the applicants didn’t bother attaching one. Now, I’ll be honest, if you had asked me in my 20s, I probably wouldn’t have either. Back then, I didn’t truly understand the power of a thoughtful, tail

Merly Hartnett
Jun 2, 20252 min read


ADHD, Burnout, and Job Searching? You’re Not Alone
A client with ADHD said something this week that really stuck with me: “Thanks heaps for today and your patience throughout!” It wasn’t just about resume edits or career strategy. It was about being seen and supported, especially when navigating ADHD, burnout, or the fog that so often comes with big career decisions. Because real talk? Coaching isn’t always linear. Especially when you’re battling executive dysfunction, self-doubt, or just plain overwhelm. Sometimes, what make

Merly Hartnett
May 29, 20251 min read


The Secret No One Tells Burnt-Out Mums About Their Brain
When you’re running on caffeine, chaos, and a half-eaten snack, your brain isn’t broken, it’s in survival mode. In fight, flight, or freeze, your emotional brain hijacks logic, making it hard to think clearly or respond calmly. But you’re not stuck there. Reframing, a simple mental shift can interrupt the stress loop and bring your logical brain back online. Even noticing one small good thing, like “I drank water today,” can build resilience and shift your state.

Merly Hartnett
Apr 22, 20254 min read


No Time for the Gym? Here’s How I’m Moving Anyway
We all know that our feelings can influence how we move. When you're sad or tired, you probably slow down. When you're anxious, you might either rush around or freeze altogether. But here’s what’s often overlooked: The connection between your brain and your body is a two-way street. That means your movement can actually influence how you feel, too. Yep, your body can help shift your mind. Why Movement Matters Your brain may be the master controller of your body, but the way y

Merly Hartnett
Apr 15, 20253 min read


The One Thing I Will Now Do Before My Morning Walks
Discover the morning routine tweak that helps busy mums lower cortisol and feel energised again.

Merly Hartnett
Apr 8, 20252 min read


The Netflix Trap: Why “Just One More Episode” Is Draining Your Energy
Feeling mentally drained by the end of the day? Decision fatigue is real! Here’s why it happens and how to reclaim your energy.

Merly Hartnett
Mar 30, 20254 min read


Workplace Bullying and the Bystander Effect: Why Good People Stay Quiet
I've been working with a client who has been dealing with workplace bullying and harassment, and let me tell you, it’s heartbreaking. But here’s the thing: the biggest issue isn’t just the bully. It’s the colleagues who see what’s happening and choose to stay silent, hoping to avoid becoming the next target. The reality? When bystanders ignore workplace bullying, they become part of the problem. Left unchecked, bullying doesn’t just harm the direct victim, it seeps into the

Merly Hartnett
Mar 22, 20253 min read


Toxic Work Environments: What to Do When You’re Facing Workplace Bullying
Lately, I’ve been reading The Resilience Project, a book that explores how empathy, gratitude, and mindfulness can help us build emotional strength. One of the most powerful takeaways is how people in difficult circumstances often display incredible resilience and joy. It got me thinking about why, despite all our modern comforts, are mental health struggles on the rise, especially in the workplace. In my work, I see firsthand how workplace bullying fuels burnout and psycholo

Merly Hartnett
Mar 17, 20254 min read


Feeling Off After the Storm? It’s Okay to Take a Breath
It’s been a week since ex-Cyclone Alfred swept through QLD, and while we (family and I) didn’t face as much damage this time around as we did a few years ago when the tornado hit, it doesn’t mean the emotional impact isn’t real or significant. Even when you’re prepared, it can still take a toll on your mental wellbeing especially when you're balancing work and motherhood. We lost power for four days, and I tried to laugh it off as a “first-world problem,” reminding myself how

Merly Hartnett
Mar 13, 20252 min read
bottom of page