Ever wonder if you’re burned out—or if this is just what being a lawyer feels like?

Learn how to spot the red flags of lawyer burnout (not just stress), so you can finally stop second-guessing yourself and start reclaiming your energy, confidence, and career.

We’re cutting through the noise to answer the question every woman lawyer has asked herself: “Is this burnout, or is it just stress?” If you’re running on empty, snapping at your kids, or feeling like you’re living on autopilot, you’re in the right place.

We’ll break down the emotional, physical, and behavioral warning signs that most lawyers ignore—think brain fog, chronic exhaustion, resentment, and that creeping sense of apathy that makes even the work you used to enjoy feel meaningless.

Here’s what you’ll get in this episode:

• The real difference between stress and burnout (hint: it’s not just about being tired)
• Why you don’t have to be falling apart to be deep in burnout
• The most common burnout red flags for lawyers: emotional exhaustion, cynicism, physical symptoms, and withdrawal from things you used to enjoy
• How burnout chips away at your confidence and makes you doubt your competence—even when you’re still getting the job done
• The secret symptom nobody talks about: fantasizing about escape, just to get a break from it all
• Why minimizing your suffering or “just pushing through” is lawyer brain B.S.—and how to challenge the belief that you have to earn your worth by suffering

We’ll also talk about why burnout isn’t a personal failing, and why women in law are especially vulnerable thanks to relentless expectations, perfectionism, and the pressure to prove yourself at all costs. You’ll walk away with a simple, honest way to check in with yourself, figure out where you are on the burnout spectrum, and what to do next—without gaslighting yourself or waiting for things to get worse.

If you’re ticking off more symptoms than you want to admit, this is your sign to stop minimizing your pain and start taking it seriously. Burnout is real, it’s recoverable, and you are not alone. You deserve more than just surviving—let’s talk about what thriving can look like, even in this profession.

Ready to break the burnout cycle? Hit FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE so you never miss an episode. If you know another lawyer who’s quietly struggling, forward this episode to her. The more we talk about burnout, the more we can change the culture—one honest conversation at a time.

Take the quiz:

How Burned Out Are You, Really? A Quiz For Women Lawyers
https://www.heathermillscoaching.com/quiz
You’ll need to subscribe to get your results, but you can unsubscribe any time—no guilt, just real insight.

Want more support?

• Book a free 20-minute call to talk about your burnout challenges. www.heathermillscoaching.com
• Download my free guide: 7 Reasons You’re Not Burned Out and Are Totally Fine, You Swear
• Follow me on Instagram and LinkedIn for regular tips and support

Full Show Notes, Episode Transcript, Plus More Resources for Women in Law:

04 Burnout Red Flags: Brain Fog, Exhaustion & Snapping at Your Kids: How to Know If This is Lawyer Burnout or Just Stress

https://www.heathermillscoaching.com/blog/04-lawyer-burnout-or-just-stress

Always feel responsible for everyone and everything?

Learn how to stop overcommitting, set boundaries, and still be seen as a team player -- without burning out.

If you’re a woman lawyer who feels like you’re carrying the weight of your workplace, your family, and everyone’s expectations, this episode is your roadmap to freedom. We dig into why you feel responsible for things you can’t control, how this pattern is rooted in gendered socialization, and why it’s a fast track to exhaustion and resentment.
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You’ll hear the real story of Maya, a lawyer who thought she had to manage her clients’ happiness, her family’s travel plans, and her colleagues’ performance -- until she realized her sense of responsibility wasn’t coming from others, but from her own beliefs.

We’ll break down the four drivers of excessive responsibility:

• Socialization: Why women lawyers are taught to put everyone else first
• Misplaced Responsibility: The urge to control outcomes, emotions, and other people’s opinions
• Fear of Judgment: How perfectionism and people-pleasing keep you stuck
• Magical Thinking: The myth that doing everything perfectly will keep everyone happy

You’ll learn how to spot these patterns in your own life and, more importantly, how to break free. I’ll walk you through practical steps, like making two simple lists to separate what’s truly yours from what’s not, and how to start letting go of guilt when you say no or set boundaries.

Inside this episode:

• Why overcommitment is not a badge of honor, but a recipe for burnout
• How to shift from feeling responsible for everyone to being accountable for yourself
• The power of “autonomous accountability” -- focusing on what you can control and letting go of the rest
• How to handle negative emotions like guilt and anxiety without letting them run your life
• Real-life examples and mindset shifts you can use right now to reclaim your energy and peace of mind

Ready to stop feeling like you have to fix everything for everyone? Hit play and start practicing the mindset shifts and boundaries that will actually help you thrive in your legal career and your life.

Want more support?

• Book a free 20-minute call to talk about your burnout challenges. www.heathermillscoaching.com
• Download my free guide: 7 Reasons You’re Not Burned Out and Are Totally Fine, You Swear
• Follow me on Instagram and LinkedIn for regular tips and support

Full Show Notes, Episode Transcript, Plus More Resources for Women in Law:

03 How to Stop Feeling Responsible for Everything and Everyone
https://www.heathermillscoaching.com/blog/03-how-to-stop-feeling-responsible-for-everything-and-everyone

Stuck in constant overdrive?

Discover why your stress response never shuts off, how the Lawyer Stress Cycle keeps women attorneys burned out, and what actually helps you finally relax – without leaving your legal career.

If you’re a high-achieving woman in law who feels like you can never truly unwind, this episode is for you. We’ll break down why even tiny tasks feel overwhelming, how chronic stress rewires your brain and body, and why it’s not your fault. You’ll learn the three hidden drivers of the Lawyer Stress Cycle: hypervigilance, negativity bias, and self-criticism, and why women lawyers are especially vulnerable.

Here’s what you’ll get in this episode:

• A candid look at why your body can’t fully relax, even when the workday is over
• Real-life stories from lawyers who feel stuck in survival mode
• The science behind why your brain is wired to see threats everywhere (and how law makes it worse)
• The specific mindset shifts and body-based tools that actually work to calm your stress response
• Three practical strategies you can use right now to start breaking the Lawyer Stress Cycle, reclaim your energy, and feel more in control

You’ll walk away knowing:

• Why chronic stress isn’t a personal failing, but a natural response to the pressures of law and gendered expectations
• How to turn down the volume on your stress response without quitting your job or sacrificing your career
• Simple ways to increase positive thoughts about yourself and reframe challenges as manageable, not catastrophic

Ready to stop feeling like you’re one tiny task away from breaking?
Hit play and learn how to exit the Lawyer Stress Cycle for good.

Want more support?

• Book a free 20-minute call to talk about your burnout challenges. www.heathermillscoaching.com
• Download my free guide: 7 Reasons You’re Not Burned Out and Are Totally Fine, You Swear
• Follow me on Instagram and LinkedIn for regular tips and support

Full Show Notes, Episode Transcript, Plus More Resources for Women in Law:

02 The Lawyer Stress Cycle: Why Your Body Can’t Fully Relax (And What to Do About It)
https://www.heathermillscoaching.com/blog/02-the-lawyer-stress-cycle