Midlife, Burnout and Coming Home to Yourself | Shannon Swales

In this heartfelt and insightful episode of Compassion in a T-Shirt, I’m joined once again by Clinical Psychologist, writer, and podcast host Shannon A Swales. Shannon is the founder of Burnout Psychology Support, host of the Midlife Reclaimed podcast, and author of Nothing Left to Give: A Psychologist’s Path Back from Burnout.Shannon first appeared on the channel on 15 July 2023, where she shared her own journey through burnout and recovery. This time, she returns to share her clinical insights and compassionate perspective on helping midlife women navigate burnout, life transitions, and the quiet disconnection so many feel.Together, we explore:. The complex interplay between burnout, perimenopause, identity shifts, and cumulative life stress. The deeper psychological and systemic roots of burnout. How compassion—especially self-compassion—can be a powerful force for healing and recovery. Ways to reconnect with the self through gentle, internal work. The importance of balancing ambition, wellbeing, and authenticity in midlifeTimestamps00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome01:31 Understanding Midlife Burnout01:54 The Impact of Perimenopause and Menopause02:51 Existential Questions and Life Transitions03:47 Cumulative Effects and Behavioral Patterns07:19 Systemic Factors and Workplace Burnout12:48 Reconnecting with Self through Therapy21:03 Internal Work and External Changes23:31 Balancing Career Aspirations and Health29:06 Balancing Priorities and Self-Safety30:24 The Three Circles of Compassion30:55 Introducing Self-Compassion33:33 Challenges in Practicing Self-Compassion37:44 Fierce vs. Tender Self-Compassion43:47 Befriending Burnout50:30 Reconnecting with Self52:57 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsLearn more about Shannon’s work:Website: https://www.burnoutpsychologysupport.comPodcast: https://www.burnoutpsychologysupport.com/podcastBook: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0CJXBMJD9Blog: https://www.burnoutpsychologysupport.com/blogCommunity: https://midlife-reclaimed.mn.coSocials: @ShannonASwalesIf you would like to learn more about compassion focused therapy, you can find Dr Stan Steindl's book The Gifts of Compassion here: https://www.ausapress.com/p/the-gifts-of-compassion-how-to-understand-and-overcome-suffering/ Say hi on social: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drstansteindl Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/StanSteindl Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_stan_steindl/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stan-steindl-150a5264/ Website: https://www.stansteindl.com/ YouTube Video URL: https://youtu.be/C0bc8JSFyFA*Affiliate Disclaimer: Note this description contains affiliate links that allow you to find the items mentioned in this video and support the channel at no cost to you. While this channel may earn minimal sums when the viewer uses the links, the viewer is in no way obligated to use these links. Thank you for your support! Video hashtags:midlife, burnout, selfcompassion, womenshealth, psychologicalwellbeing, compassionfocusedtherapy