Pep Talk: “Your Spark Isn’t Gone”

Dear Boss Babe...If you’ve been telling yourself “I’m just tired” or “once this season slows down, I’ll feel like myself again,” this episode is for you. Because here’s the truth: you’re not lazy, unmotivated, or broken — you’re burned out from carrying too much without enough support. Today we are talking about burnout, hustle culture, and why high achievers lose their spark — not because they stop caring, but because their lives get heavier without better containers. I’m sharing behind-the-scenes truth from my own journey — from fundraising for my skincare brand Silk to running this podcast consistently for nearly three years — and how success without support quietly drained my joy. On paper, everything looked amazing. Inside, I felt exhausted, disconnected, and empty. This episode is your reminder that self-care isn’t bubble baths — it’s structure, boundaries, and support. Burnout isn’t a sign that your dream is wrong. It’s a sign that the way you’re holding it needs to change. Why burnout is so common for ambitious women and high achievers How hustle culture keeps your nervous system stuck in survival mode The real reason motivation disappears (and how to get it back) Why your spark doesn’t return by pushing harder How structure and support are the most overlooked forms of self-care One small shift you can make this week to feel lighter and more energized If you’ve been feeling resistance toward something you once loved, I’ll help you ask a better question — not “What’s wrong with me?” but “What’s making this feel so heavy?” Because you don’t need a new dream. You need a new way of holding the life you already built. This week, choose one area of your life that feels overwhelming and: Write down what actually needs to be done Create structure instead of letting it live rent-free in your head Put a boundary around what drains you Give your brain permission to stop bracing Your spark isn’t gone. It’s just waiting for you to make room for it. If this episode hit home, make sure you listen to this week’s full episode: Episode 135 where we go even deeper into why high-achieving women experience burnout — and how to fall back in love with what you’re building without abandoning yourself. ✨ Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a fellow boss babe who needs permission to rest without guilt. As always, I’m rooting for you. With love,Ericka Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Ready to build the business that replaces your 9-to-5? Join us inside the Clocked Out Collective at start.clockedout.media.Free 5-Minute TrainingEvery woman I know who successfully built a business while working a 9-to-5 followed the same four steps — and almost all of them tried to skip step one.So I created a free 5-minute training specifically for the woman who is still clocking into work every day while trying to build something bigger on the side.➡️ Watch the free training here👀 Join the Clocked Out Collective ClockedOUT is a business and productivity podcast for the high-achieving female entrepreneur building a side hustle while working a 9-to-5. Each week we deliver business building tips, work-life balance and self-care strategies, and real talk on hustle culture so you can grow your business, hit new revenue milestones, and beat burnout while still on payroll.Follow us on Instagram: @clockedout.media