Welcome to the very first episode of Busyness and Burnout! I’m Sydnea Lewis—entrepreneur, professor, yoga teacher, and fellow creative trying to navigate the chaos of life without crashing. In this debut episode, I share my personal burnout story: from juggling multiple jobs during the start of the pandemic to landing in full-blown exhaustion and stress-related illness (hello, tinnitus and anxiety attacks).

This episode is your invitation to stop glamorizing the grind and start being honest about what sustainable success really looks like. We'll explore:

• What burnout actually feels like (spoiler: it’s not always obvious)
• How creative passion and burnout often go hand in hand
• Why “doing it all” isn’t the flex we think it is
• How redefining success and saying “no” can be radical acts of self-care
• Why rest is not a reward—it’s a requirement

You'll also get a quick body check-in meditation to start tuning into your needs and reclaiming your energy.

→ Key Takeaways

• Burnout can happen while doing what you love. Passion doesn’t protect you from overwork.
• Rest isn’t optional. Your body will keep score.
• You can be busy and balanced, but not without intention.
• Success doesn’t always mean more clients or more money. Sometimes, it’s time freedom and peace of mind.
• Systems and support are crucial. You don’t have to do this alone.

→ Quotable Moments

"I was running in circles doing what I loved—and still burned out."
"You don’t have to say yes to everything to be successful."
"Burnout doesn’t shout. It whispers—until your body shuts down."
"Success used to be hustle. Now, it’s freedom, alignment, and peace."

→ Resources Mentioned

• Quick body scan / breathwork practice (mid-episode)
• Mention of future episodes on:
  • Time and attention management
  • Systems for sustainable business
  • Boundaries and burnout prevention
  • Real conversations with other creatives

→ Next Episode

Topic: It’s Not Time Management, It’s Attention Management
→ We’ll dive into why your calendar isn’t the problem—and what to do instead.

→ Connect with Sydnea

• Instagram: @busynessandburnout
• Website & Resources: busynessandburnout.com
• Subscribe to the Newsletter: Get tools to thrive without hustle, directly in your inbox.

→ Loved this episode?

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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sydnea.substack.com