The Unpopular Way I Recovered From Burnout

[CreativeLeahG]

I hope this post inspires and helps some of you who are either at the edge or feeling the full impact of burnout whether from being a busy entrepreneur on Zazzle or something else. 

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Burnout isn’t just “being tired.”

It’s when your body, brain, and spirit all hit a wall at the same time.

For me, months of poor health, chronic pain, and overwork left me running on fumes. I was foggy, exhausted, and honestly scared. The medications I was on made it worse—memory lapses, confusion, even dementia-like symptoms. And yet, like so many entrepreneurs, I kept pushing.

Until I couldn’t anymore.

The Breaking Point

One day, I realized I was done.
I was mentally and physically exhausted to the point I couldn't do it anymore.

So I did something deeply unpopular in the hustle-driven, “always on” world of entrepreneurship:

• I put everything down.

• I stopped grinding.

• I gave up ... which isn't very glamorous! In an ideal world you stop grinding or rest before you reach this point. I didn't .. I pushed myself way too far. And compounded with chronic health issues my body said " enough !"

I decided to lean on faith—the belief that the universe had my back, even when I couldn’t show up at 100%. I've done this before as I've had an 'eventful life' and it didn't let me down so why I didn't just keep my faith I don't know ... we all falter and it's worth remembering that sometimes it's not only good but vital to trust in the power of those forces we do not understand!

What Happened Next

I expected my print-on-demand business to crumble without me.
But it didn’t.

Sales stayed steady ( ish). They'd have been steadier if not for the overnight changes Zazzle introduced every now and then! Fee hike being the latest.

Orders kept coming in. My passive all be it declining income carried me while I focused on healing.

It wasn’t “luck.” Along with faith it was the quiet power of systems, designs, and products I had built when I was well. And it reminded me of something else beyond faith that's important: this is why we create businesses that work for us, not the other way around.

My Recovery Wasn’t Glamorous

Healing wasn’t linear or neat. It looked like:

• Doing brain games to sharpen my mind again

• Fighting for better sleep with a new routine

• Coming off medications that were making things worse

• Exploring natural alternatives and lifestyle changes

• Watching my diet like my life depended on it

• Drinking more water than ever before

• Moving my body as much as my back would allow

Some days, “progress” was just making it out of bed. Honestly it was dire and chronic depression wasn't helping. 

But slowly ( very slowly) I started to feel a shift. My mind felt clearer. Ideas began to flow again. Creativity returned. This is a recent change! So it's been slow ... but recovery when your body needs rest shouldn't be rushed! If it is a relapse is imminent so I'm taking it easy!

What I Learned

1. Rest is a strategy, not a weakness.
   Stepping back doesn’t mean you’ve failed—it means you’re protecting your ability to keep going.

2. Passive income is a lifeline.
   My Zazzle and print-on-demand shops supported me when I couldn’t show up. Build systems that don’t collapse when you take a step back.

3. Faith matters.
   Whether you call it luck, the universe, or divine timing—sometimes you have to trust that when you care for yourself, life will carry the rest.

4. Your business needs you at your best.
   Entrepreneurship requires clarity, energy, and spark. You can’t build anything lasting if you’re constantly running on empty.

The Comeback

I still live with chronic pain. I still have health struggles. But I’m fighting back. I’m prioritizing hydration, healthier choices, and sustainable routines. And most importantly: my zest for entrepreneurship is alive again.

And that feels like a miracle.

Takeaway: Don’t be afraid to step back.

Don’t be afraid to rest. The unpopular path might just be the one that saves both you and your business.

Give yourself permission to rest and trust it will be ok!!

Forgive me if this post seems indulgent and I suppose in some way it is but one thing  I have also realised this past year is trying to appear tough and untouchable , built of steel when the reality is the polar opposite isn't helpful because eventually the cracks appear. So that's another take away ... keep it real and ask for help when you need it!

Heres to good mental health!  x

[Cat]

I'm so glad to hear that you're OK - I've noticed your absence and was hoping that nothing terrible had happened. Good on you for taking care of yourself, and I'm so happy to have you back on the forums! 

[CreativeLeahG]

Thank you Cat! I just hope this momentum continues because as you may know there are good days and bad days ... but so far so good! I hope all is well with you too x

[Lucia]

Welcome back!!!

[CreativeLeahG]

Thank you Lucia x

[Amanda23]

So glad to see you back, Leah, and most of all for your improved health. People use the term “burn out” a little loosely. If they haven’t *truly* been there, they only have a very low level of understanding. You are strong.

Amanda

[CreativeLeahG]

Thank you and yes I don't think I truly understood the term before it hit me either! It's very humbling 

[CrazyMermaid]

I am so glad to read this post (well not the burnout part etc.) and see that you are okay. Definitely missed having you around. 

[CreativeLeahG]

Aww thank you! You're much appreciated 🙂 

[KeegansCreation]

I'm glad to see you back. It is good to see that you are recovering and healing. It's also good to see that your wealth of products was able to provide a cushion in tough times.

[CreativeLeahG]

Thank you and yes volume of products has been key during this time! Passive income is great but as I've always said it is rarely static and can dwindle without engagement. 

[Barbara]

What you learned is something I had to learn over and over and yet over again until one day I realized I was able to feel the tiny beginnings of "bad weather" on its way. Now I treat myself well every single day in the form of halting what's annoying me as soon as possible. It might be only a tiny break or it might be a full day or several days, doing only what pleases me, even if it's having popcorn for dinner--rare, but it has happened. Remember to be a child, creating tiny hallelujahs.

Welcome back!

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[CreativeLeahG]

You're absolutely right Barbara we should always make time for our inner child and nurture ourselves.

[jparrottmerrell]

HI Leah, learning to navigate burnout is a tough thing, but I'm glad you've learned how to do it in ways that feel good to you and are feeling better and more inspired as a result.. Thumbs up! BTW, something I use as a gage for myself is The Spoon Theory. If you haven't heard of it, you can google it. Basically, it's a nice simple, easy and fun way to help prioritize your energy, your day and your time. 

[CreativeLeahG]

Thank you I shall look up the spoon theory I'm very intrigued!

[DancingPelican]

Welcome back to the world of Zazzle, Leah! I have missed your input and helpful tips and was worried about you. Happy to hear you have bounced back from health issues and are taking good care of yourself. It is reassuring to know you can step away when you must and still earn passive income on Zazzle. I wish you continued wellness and new creativity to enjoy!

[CreativeLeahG]

Thank you 🙂 it's been hard and I still have mini-melts as I call them ... daughter earlier wanted me to do something with eBay while she's away and suddenly I was overwhelmed again and such a trivial thing! But I'll get there. I hope all is good with you!

[Sea-Change]

Thank you for sharing, Leah!

[CreativeLeahG]

Thank you x

[LMGildersleeve]

Leah, Leah, Leah... girl I can't imagine working even half as hard as you did at your businesses. But so happy to read you are rejuvenated and living better for it. 

I've retired from Z but my sales are still there. I've spent the past putting products in place that have kept going. One day it will dry up but I'll be ok with it. I thank the Universe for every single sale. 

❤️

[CreativeLeahG]

Hi Lynne-Marie! great to hear from you, it's been a long time hasn't it! So glad you're still making a healthy passive income. It's magic when it works!

[EugeneM]

Hi Leah! Really good to hear from you and I relate so much to your post. We are living through some intense changes at this moment in history, that's for sure. POD can be a little, shall we say, introverted? It can be hard to cheer yourself on, especially when you need to take a break, so I want you to know that I believe in you - you are creative and brilliant! You'll turn these turbulent times to a source of energy to carry you onward and upward in this new and crazy world we find ourselves in. I see you whole and thriving. Be peaceful. Be well.

[CreativeLeahG]

Thank you Eugene, much appreciated! 

[SORS]

I'm so happy to hear you're back Leah! You'll be in my prayers!   

[CreativeLeahG]

Thank you you're very kind x

[Marcia]

Welcome back, Leah! Glad to hear you're on the mend and your break from Zazzle was therapeutic. Hope things get better and better for you each and every day.