Most burnout does not come from working too hard, it comes from working on things that were never meant to belong to you.
The most exhausted professionals are rarely the least capable. They are usually the most available. Emotionally, mentally and strategically. Giving their time, attention and energy to rooms, roles and relationships that slowly erode their clarity.
What unfolds during the festive season is rarely accidental, it is the consequence of what has been quietly rehearsed all year.
Every December, stress indicators spike. Emergency mental health referrals rise by nearly 30 percent, alcohol consumption increases by over 40 percent and anxiety-related GP visits peak between mid-December and early January.
Yet here is the irony. The external conditions are largely the same for everyone. The difference lies in what people allow to shape them during this compressed, emotionally charged season.
The festive period is not just a calendar event. It is a psychological stress test, one that quietly exposes how people manage pressure, proximity, memory and meaning.
We like to believe that success is a matter of personal willpower. That grit, determination and discipline are forged from within. But neuroscience tells us something different. The architecture of our minds is profoundly shaped by the people we choose to keep close.
Our mirror neurons, the tiny circuits in the brain that fire both when we act and when we observe others, are constantly mimicking, absorbing and learning. In other words, who we surround ourselves with does not just influence us. They become us.
In a world where the noise of others' opinions often drowns out the clarity of our own purpose, success is a deeply personal journey.
It’s not defined by external validation, accolades or the approval of others. Instead, it’s about taking control of your path and having the courage to walk it on your terms. The mantra "Build It, Own It, Lead It" reflects the essence of self-driven success, a philosophy that can guide your career, business, health and relationships toward meaningful achievement.
Building something meaningful starts with a clear vision. It’s the act of creating something from nothing. A business, a career path, a personal transformation or a relationship based on purpose and authenticity. But building isn’t about grand gestures. It’s about the quiet, consistent work that goes into laying a strong…
Starting any venture, whether it’s launching a business, stepping into leadership or pursuing a bold career move, comes with rejection, doubt and setbacks that can feel relentless. For many, these challenges feel personal, as if failure is a verdict on their worth.
Yet the real truth, often overlooked, is this: struggle isn’t what breaks you. The real danger lies in running from discomfort, hesitating, holding back or stepping aside when things get tough.
Those who move forward despite discomfort aren’t immune to struggle. They’ve simply decided that discomfort is part of the process, not a reason to stop.
In the world of success and striving, much is said about vision, discipline and motivation. But far less is said about the inner world that underpins it all. The invisible, often unexamined psychological drivers behind our ambition.
In therapy, we often explore not just what a person is doing, but why. Not because we want to pathologise ambition or success, but because when we fail to examine the internal conflicts and unconscious patterns guiding us, we can end up chasing achievement while quietly unravelling inside.
So I invite you, in this space, to reflect, not react. To slow down and ask yourself with curiosity and gentleness “what is fuelling my need to succeed?”
Is it joy? Legacy? Service?
Proud Sista!
Proud Sista!
Proud Sista!
Proud Sista!
Proud Sista!
