How I Beat Burnout for Good: My Top Tips for Web Designers

Burnout: the monster under the desk. It creeps up quietly, usually when you’re juggling more work than you should, and then BAM—before you know it, you’re drowning in overwhelm, struggling to focus, and debating burning your whole business down just for a breather. Well, that’s me anyway. 😅

For years, burnout would rear its ugly head in my life. As a self-employed web designer, it often hit hardest when I was juggling too many projects or had too many people depending on me. I’d feel like I was dropping the ball, letting everyone down, and, quite honestly, I just couldn’t be bothered. Cue the vicious cycle of overworking, drinking a bit too much wine, sleepless nights, and mentally checking out of everything—even the good bits of life. Sound familiar?

If it does, you’re not alone. In fact, burnout is so common among freelancers and small business owners that it’s almost treated like a badge of honour. That is so not fetch. Burnout shouldn’t be an inevitable rite of passage, and I’m here to flip that script. After battling it for years, I can finally say I’ve eradicated it from my life for over a year.

Today, I want to share what burnout really feels like, the facts behind it, and—most importantly—what I did to break the cycle of burnout.

What Is Burnout (and Why It’s So Common)?

Burnout is defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a state of physical and emotional exhaustion resulting from chronic workplace stress. It’s not just being tired; it’s feeling drained, becoming cynical about your job, and struggling to get things done.¹

Here’s a fun (or not-so-fun) fact: a 2022 study by the Freelancers Union found that a staggering 72% of freelancers report work-related stress, compared to 58% of traditional employees. Plus, 51% of freelancers end up working over 40 hours a week, often without the support or structure that comes with a regular job (Freelancers Union, 2022)². Being a self-employed creative can be a tough gig as we’re often juggling everything—client work, marketing, admin, and “that’ll only take 5 minutes” tasks that snowball into hours.

What Burnout Felt Like for Me

In my case, burnout looked a lot like this:

• Feeling like I was juggling too many balls (and dropping all of them).
• Working more in an attempt to catch up but getting less done.
• Finding it hard to focus or stay present, both at work and in life.
• Turning to “quick fixes” like wine, junk food, or mindlessly scrolling Instagram.
• Dreaming of burning everything down (scary when you’ve worked so hard to build it up).

It’s not just physical exhaustion; burnout robs you of your love for your work and your ability to enjoy life outside of it. And that’s the biggest loss of all.

How I Finally Broke Free From Burnout

If you’re nodding along, let me say this: you can escape burnout. Here’s exactly what I did to finally break the cycle and keep it out of my life for over a year:

1. Set Non-Negotiable Boundaries
   I can’t recommend The Book of Boundaries by Melissa Urban enough. Learning to say “no” without guilt has been life-changing for both my biz and personal life.
2. Prioritise My Health
   Exercise isn’t just for your body—it’s for your brain. I started walking every day, going to classes religiously, and using the Daily Calm app to calm my mind and reset my perspective.
3. Read Fiction Before Bed
   Business books can wait. I swapped them for fiction to give my mind a break and improve my sleep. And as a bonus, it’s something I look forward to every day.
4. Book Time Off—Before You Need It
   I block out 1–2 weeks off every quarter. It keeps me rested, creative, and ready to tackle new projects without overwhelm.
5. Stay Organised With Tools and Systems
   To reduce the mental load, I use a mix of Google Calendar, paper planners, and email tools like Superhuman. “Indistractable” by Nir Eyal also helped me master my focus. A few free tools help me to block ads and social feeds designed to distract me and set screen time limits to keep me on track.
6. Seek Support (Therapy Changed Everything)
   Working with a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist was a game-changer. I used Beyond Blue’s NewAccess program (a free mental health coaching service for Australian business owners) to untangle my thought patterns and develop healthier habits.
   Not in Australia? Search for small business or mental health initiatives in your area—you’ll be surprised what’s available.
7. Make Space for Joy
   Hobbies are non-negotiable. I rediscovered my love for reading and now have a nightly routine that helps me transition out of work mode.

These two books helped me set boundaries with myself (“Indistractable” by Nir Eyal) and with others (“The Book of Boundaries” by Melissa Urban)

Why Beating Burnout Matters (for You and Your Business)

Burnout doesn’t just impact you—it impacts your clients, your creativity, and your loved ones. The ironic thing is that by pushing ourselves too hard, we actually end up producing worse work and showing up as lesser versions of ourselves.

Here’s the truth: prioritising your health and happiness isn’t selfish. When you’re well-rested and energised, you’ll produce your best work, take better care of your clients, and enjoy life so much more.

Final Thoughts

If burnout has its claws in you right now, know this: it’s not your fault, you’re not alone, and it can get better. Start small. Pick one tip to implement this week—maybe it’s setting a workday boundary, blocking off some downtime, or taking that first step toward seeking support.

Burnout isn’t a badge of honour, and it doesn’t have to be part of your story. If I can kick it to the curb, I know you can too.

And hey, if this post helps even one of you reading this to feel seen, heard, and empowered to make a change, I’m one happy chappie.

You’ve got this. 🧡

1. World Health Organization (2019): Burn-out as an occupational phenomenon. Access the WHO’s official page on this topic here.
2. Freelancers Union (2022): The study is discussed in “The Dark Side of Freelancing”.