🌿From Burnout to Brilliance: Why Mums Returning to Work Need More Than Just a Plan

28 May 

Written By Jools Raye

Motherhood changes everything — especially how we feel about work.

In the latest episode of Mama’s Flightpath, I sat down with Jayne Morris — leading expert in burnout, author of From Burnout to Brilliance, and mum of two — for an honest, energising conversation about what really happens when women try to return to work while running on empty.

Jayne’s insights are a must-listen for any mum feeling torn between the job she once had and the woman she’s becoming.

💬 Why Burnout Is So Much More Than Exhaustion

Burnout isn’t just being tired — it’s when your body and mind can no longer keep up with the constant pressure to perform, please, and push through. As Jayne explains, burnout often shows up as:

• Brain fog and memory lapses

• Digestive issues, anxiety, or even skin flare-ups

• Post-viral fatigue that never fully goes away

• The feeling of being mentally and physically done — with no language to explain why

Jayne reminds us: burnout is not a personal failure — it’s a systemic issue. Especially for mothers.

❤️‍🔥Why Mums Are So Vulnerable to Burnout

Between identity shifts, sleep deprivation, emotional load, and the rising cost of childcare, returning to work can feel like a mountain — and many mums are expected to climb it with no support.

Jayne shared that many of her clients even choose to have another baby not just out of desire for a larger family, but because it's the only socially acceptable way to step back from an unsustainable job. Let that sink in.

This is a wake-up call.

🔁 Do You Really Want to Go Back… or Do You Need a Return Reset?

Jayne and I talked about the power of using your return to work as a pivot point, not just a plug-and-play return. Ask yourself:

• Is what I’m going back to still right for me?

• Do I feel valued in my workplace — or like I’ve outgrown it?

• Am I trying to do everything I did pre-baby… and more?

If you’re feeling stuck, foggy, or questioning what’s next — it’s time to pause and reset.

💛 The Return Reset™️ is a free guided journaling tool to help you realign before going back. Download it here.

💥 The Takeaways Every Mum Needs to Hear

🦩 Burnout is not just exhaustion — it's your body waving a red flag.
🦩 Your return to work doesn’t have to look like your life before children.
🦩 Support, boundaries, and rest are not luxuries — they’re survival tools.
🦩 You can’t pour from an empty cup — but you can fill it, slowly.
🦩 You are not alone — and this conversation is proof.