Career Grief Is Real: How I Help Women Recover After Burnout and Job Loss

Merly Hartnett
Aug 1
3 min read

Updated: Aug 23

As a career and wellbeing coach working with professional women and mums, I’ve seen a quiet kind of grief many don’t talk about:

The grief that comes after burnout, after being forced out of a job, or after being targeted for simply standing in integrity.

One of my clients, Katie (name changed for privacy reasons), was dealing with the aftermath of a psychological injury, stress and anxiety due to workplace issues. She had raised concerns about unethical behaviour in her workplace, and instead of being supported, she was bullied, isolated, and eventually pushed out.

What she experienced wasn’t “just stress.”

It was grief.

The loss of a job, especially when it happens under toxic conditions, can feel like a death. The death of purpose.

Of identity.

Of trust.

And yet, most people don’t treat it that way.

Too often, women come to me after being told to “move on” or “stay strong” without being given space to process what actually happened. But if you’ve experienced this, you know:

It’s not just the job you lost. It’s your sense of stability.
It’s not just a title or a paycheck. It’s the routine, the relationships, the version of yourself you brought to work every day.

This is what I call career grief, and you deserve support in moving through it.

A woman sitting alone at a desk, gazing at her laptop with a thoughtful, sad expression. She appears emotionally drained, possibly experiencing stress or grief related to work or job loss. — When job loss or burnout hits, the grief is real. It’s more than stress, it’s the loss of purpose, identity, and routine.

What Career Grief Looks Like

You might be feeling…

Disoriented, like your days have lost structure
Doubting yourself and your worth
Exhausted from constantly trying to “prove” you’re okay
Like, no one understands why this hit so hard

As a certified Career Transition Specialist, I have worked with clients every day for over 15 years. I want you to know you’re not broken, you’re grieving.

Why I Don’t Rush Into “What’s Next”

Early in my career, I was quick to jump straight into job search strategies to help them move forward. But what I’ve seen over and over is that rushing into the next thing without processing the last thing only leads to more burnout and fear.

Here’s what happens when we skip this step:

Clients take jobs that feel “safe,” not aligned
Fear and self-doubt follow them into the next role
The nervous system never gets a chance to regulate
Confidence remains shaky, no matter how perfect the resume

How I Support Clients Through Career Grief

These days, I start with space.

Compassion.

And a willingness to go there with you.

"Thanks for this morning. I took so much from it re: my worth!"

Here are a few powerful questions you can ask yourself in a journal if you've experienced burnout or job loss:

What emotions are showing up when you think about that workplace or role?
What were you hoping that job would give you?
What feels unresolved or unfinished for you in this chapter?
Is there something you're holding onto that you'd like to let go of?
What values do you want your next role or workplace to honour?
What does success look like now, not what it used to mean, but what it means to you now?
What boundaries do you want to protect moving forward?