top of page

Search
All Posts


Career Grief Is Real: How I Help Women 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


How One Professional Rebuilt Her Confidence and Created a Self-Care Routine That Works
Discover how one professional rebuilt her confidence and self-care routine after burnout.

Merly Hartnett
Jul 25, 20252 min read


I Didn’t Think Mindfulness Would Be Part of Burnout Coaching… But It Changed Everything
Discover how mindfulness transformed my approach to career coaching and helped my clients find clarity and confidence without the burnout.

Merly Hartnett
Jul 18, 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


How Healing My Body Image Changed the Way I Coach Burnt-Out Women
As a burnout and career coach, my personal struggles with body image completely reshaped the way I support women. Discover how body shame and burnout are connected and why your healing starts with compassion, not control.

Merly Hartnett
Jul 3, 20254 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


What’s the Difference Between a Health Coach, Nutritionist, and Dietitian in Australia?
Wondering whether to see a Health Coach, Nutritionist, or Dietitian? Learn the key differences and how to choose the right support for your health goals.

Merly Hartnett
Jun 26, 20254 min read


How to Change Careers in Your 30s or 40s (Without Starting Over)
More and more Australians, especially women, are questioning the careers they once worked so hard to build. And it’s no wonder. Midlife often brings with it identity shifts, motherhood, burnout, and a yearning for more purpose.

Merly Hartnett
Jun 16, 20254 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


For Introverts: The Quiet Cure for Loneliness (Without Forcing Small Talk)
Let’s just get this out of the way: being an introvert doesn’t mean you don’t like people. It means you recharge differently. You crave depth, quiet, and space. Small talk often feels draining. Crowds? Overstimulating. And when life is full, kids, work, running a home, you protect your energy like gold. But even as introverts, we’re still wired for connection. And when that connection disappears, something subtle but serious starts to happen: loneliness creeps in. I see it al

Merly Hartnett
Jun 4, 20253 min read


Emotional Resilience: Why 1 Minute Might Be All You Need
Lately, I’ve been working on a couple of new health and fitness goals: getting in 10,000 steps a day (rain or shine) and doing a coffee enema for 21 days. Sounds intense, right? Surprisingly, the first week was easy. Why? Because I made it a priority. I planned ahead. I created space. Everything else came second. It got me thinking, when we zone in on just one to three goals, magic happens. We become laser-focused. We build momentum. We feel capable. But, of course, life has

Merly Hartnett
Jun 3, 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 mak

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
One of the core pillars of the Burnout and Career Wellbeing Program is movement. And you might be wondering, what does movement have to do with burnout recovery? 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 actua

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 t

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 psychol

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, 20253 min read
bottom of page