Why Self-Care Isn’t Working for Burnt-Out Female Founders (And What to Do Instead)
If you're a burnt-out female founder, you’re probably doing all the “right” things.
You’ve tried journaling, Pilates, “rest” days. You’ve downloaded the Headspace app.
And yet, you still feel:
Exhausted
Disconnected from your body
Tired and wired
Trapped in “always on” mode
Self-care doesn’t stick if it’s being squeezed in as a one-off reactive activity.
Real talk: Self-care isn’t a one-off activity; it’s a state of being
This is the part most wellness advice skips.
When your nervous system is dysregulated, self-care becomes another thing that doesn’t land.
So many female founders are skipping meals, powering through fatigue, and treating rest like a reward.
They don’t need more bubble baths. They need a new baseline.
Because if your blood sugar is crashing, your nervous system is frazzled, and your body is starving for nutrients…
Even the best intentions won’t stick.
Related: 5 Signs You’re in Functional Burnout (Even If You’re High-Performing)
Generic Self-care tactics for female founders can get in the bin
Most self-care content is surface-level. It focuses on doing more, not being more supported.
Here’s what I mean:
The Usual Self-Care Advice:
“Work-life balance”— what does that even mean, though? This advice is so vague and not very helpful because if you’re googling burnout prevention tactics, then chances are you don’t know have to balance your work with your life.
My Kind of Self-Care:
A way of working that harmoniously co-exists with the rest of your life, without guilt following you around like a shadow.
The Usual Self-Care Advice:
“Take regular breaks”—I don’t disagree with this. But, the female founders I know struggle with giving themselves permission to take a break.
My Kind of Self-Care:
Reframe what the breaks are for. It’s to reset your mind so you return with more focus, absorbing your environment outside to refill your creative cup, and nourishing your body to energise your productive afternoon.
The Usual Self-Care Advice:
“Eat balanced meals”—If you insist on identifying as ‘not a breakfast person’ then eating three balanced meals a day is going to feel like a daunting, time-consuming task you just don’t have the time or headspace for.
My Kind of Self-Care:
Creating a natural rhythm of meal planning, cooking and eating that flows freely throughout your schedule so that intentional nourishment is a non-negotiable and feels easy.
Most female founders in my DMs have fallen into a cycle of over-functioning and under-nourishing.
Then frantically try to squeeze in self-care activities to fix the burnout they feel coming.
It’s just too little, too late. (Any JoJo fans out there?)
That’s why I created Self-Care Leadership.
Introducing Self-Care Leadership
A high-touch 1:1 program for women who want to radically redefine their leadership to put themselves in the centre.
Because real self-care is:
A nervous system that’s safe
A fully nourished body that’s regulated
Steady, consistent energy
Success that doesn’t cost your health or identity
Related: What Self-Care Looks Like When You’re Actually Nourished
In Self-Care Leadership, we spend 3 months helping you to build a burnout-proof body and business.
So you can go after what you want, but this time, you’re supported in every way as you do it.
If you’re tired of burning out on the path to success… If you want your self-care to stick this time…
Bonus: Waitlist members save £300 off the launch price + receive nourishing extras.
And please, don’t forget to eat lunch.
CJ x
