Unmasking Emotional Burnout: Are You Just Tired, or Emotionally Exhausted?

By Judith A. Verduzco, LCSW — Therapist and Founder of Monarchs Therapy
Published October 15, 2025

I love this time of year — the colors of fall, the cozy sweaters, the glowing pumpkins, the smell of cinnamon candles (and yes, the excuse to buy yet another mug I definitely don’t need).

Halloween has always been one of my favorite holidays. I love the costumes, the playfulness, the pretending — and the gentle reminder that we all wear masks sometimes. This season always nudges me to look a little closer at the ones we wear in everyday life — especially the mask of “I’m fine.”

Lately, I’ve noticed that a lot of people (including myself, at times) are quietly fighting something deeper than tiredness. They’re running on empty — emotionally, mentally, spiritually. That, my friends, is emotional burnout.

When Tired Isn’t “Just Tired”

We all get tired. But emotional burnout is that next-level exhaustion that sleep doesn’t fix. It’s what happens when you’ve been pouring from your cup for way too long — and you forgot to refill it.

Here’s a quick way to tell the difference:

When burnout hits, it’s not just your energy that’s low — it’s your spark. Even small things start to feel like mountains, and the “mask” of being okay starts to slip.

The Mask We Wear

Since it’s spooky season, let’s talk about masks — the ones we wear off the costume rack.

• We smile through exhaustion.
• We say, “I’m fine, really!” when we’re anything but.
• We check every box on the to-do list while our hearts whisper, Please, slow down.

These masks can be helpful for a while. They get us through the day, help us function. But when we keep them on too long, they start to feel heavy — like we’ve forgotten who’s underneath.

🧡 How to Start Unmasking

Here are a few gentle ways to start peeling back that mask — no pressure, no perfection required.

1. Pause and Notice.
A couple times a day, take a deep breath and ask yourself: What am I actually feeling right now? (Bonus points if you write it down — messy handwriting counts.)

2. Listen to Your Body.
Our bodies are honest little truth-tellers. Notice where you feel heavy, tight, or tired. That’s your inner self saying, “Hey, I need attention too.”

3. Practice Micro-Boundaries.
Say “no” to just one thing you don’t really have to do. (Yes, even if it’s something “small.” You’d be surprised how freeing it feels.)

4. Ask for What You Need.
It’s okay to say, “I can’t make it tonight — I just need quiet.” You don’t need a crisis to justify rest.

5. Do a Mini Ritual of Release.
Write down what’s been weighing on you. Burn it, bury it, or toss it in the trash dramatically. (Therapeutic and slightly witchy — win-win.)

6. Try Therapeutic Unmasking.
In therapy, we explore what your mask has been protecting you from — fear, shame, or maybe just survival mode. Together, we work on gently loosening it, not ripping it off.

🌙 From Masks to Authenticity (and a Little Halloween Joy)

Here’s the truth: you don’t have to have it all together. You don’t need to sparkle 24/7 or pretend you’re fine when you’re running on fumes.

Sometimes healing looks like not doing. Like sitting with a cup of tea, staring at the ceiling, or binge-watching a show in your comfiest socks — no productivity required.

When I walk through neighborhoods at night — pumpkins glowing, kids laughing, the smell of fireplaces in the air — I’m reminded that beneath all the costumes and chaos, there’s something real and tender inside us all.

We’re all just trying to find our light again.

So if you feel the mask slipping, don’t panic — that’s not weakness. That’s your humanity showing through. That’s where the healing begins.

If any of this resonates with you, know that you’re not alone. You are seen. You are enough — even when you’re tired, messy, or mid-transformation.

And if you’re ready to unmask the burnout and rediscover your spark, therapy can help.
💜 Schedule a session with Monarchs Therapy — let’s find your balance again.