Burnout Psychology Support

In this episode of the Midlife Reclaimed Podcast, I’m joined by Clinical Psychologist Kirstin Bouse — widely known as The Midlife Psychologist — for an important conversation about hormones, mental health, and identity in midlife women.We explore how hormonal transitions such as perimenopause and menopause can influence mood, anxiety, burnout, neurodivergence, and overall psychological wellbeing. This life stage often brings multiple shifts at once — physical, emotional, relational, and identity-based — and it’s rarely just one factor affecting how women feel.Together, we unpack why midlife can feel unexpectedly intense, how hormonal changes interact with mental health across the lifespan, and why understanding this connection can be empowering rather than alarming. We also talk about the identity reorganisation that often occurs in midlife — that sense of asking Who am I now? — and how this can become a meaningful opportunity for self-understanding rather than simply a crisis.If you’re navigating perimenopause, menopause, burnout, emotional fatigue, or simply noticing changes in yourself during midlife, this conversation offers reassurance, insight, and practical understanding.You’re not imagining it — and you’re certainly not alone.The Midlife Reclaimed Podcast has been nominated in the Women in Podcasting Awards, recognising podcasts created by women making an impact through meaningful conversations and storytelling. Find out more here https://www.womenpodcasters.com/awards Voting opens in April 2026. We'd love your support.Guest: Kirstin Bouse is a Clinical and Forensic Psychologist with nearly 30 years’ experience supporting women through life’s most complex transitions. Her work focuses particularly on midlife mental health, menopause, identity shifts, and the psychological impact of hormonal change across the lifespan.She is the founder of All About Her – The Centre for Menopause, a multidisciplinary initiative dedicated to improving access to menopause-informed health care and psychological support for women. Kirstin has worked across hospitals, universities, correctional settings, and private practice, and is widely recognised for her advocacy in women’s mental health during midlife.Drawing on both professional expertise and lived experience of perimenopause, burnout, and neurodivergence, Kirstin is passionate about helping women better understand themselves, access informed support, and navigate midlife with greater clarity, self-trust, and wellbeing.Connect with Kirstin🌐 Website (Psychology Practice & Programs):https://kirstinbousepsych.com.au🌐 All About Her – The Centre for Menopause:https://www.allabouthercentre.com.au📸 Instagram:@the_midlife_psychologist@allabouthercentre✉️ Contact:Best via the contact forms on either website.Host: Shannon Swales: Clinical Psychologist, award-winning author, and midlife woman who’s walked through burnout and come out the other side. Shannon combines clinical wisdom with lived experience to support others navigating chronic stress, burnout, and big life transitions. Through gentle conversations and evidence-based insights, she helps women reconnect with themselves, reclaim their energy, and grow through what once felt like breaking points.If you enjoy the Midlife Reclaimed Podcast, join our community:• Midlife Reclaimed Online Community - a place to come back home to self - https://midlife-reclaimed.mn.co/• Social Media: Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn @shannon.a.swales• 1:1 Therapy: www.shannonaswales.com/therapySubscribe to my Mailing List: www.shannonaswales.com/subscribe and receive a free eJournal to assist in coming back to yourself.Disclaimer: This podcast does not create a therapist-client relationship with Shannon A Swales. The views expressed are general & not a substitute for personalised therapy. If in distress, seek professional help. Remember—you don’t have to face your struggles alone.

When caring for others leaves you burnout, midlife can become a turning point for many women.In this solo episode of Midlife Reclaimed, clinical psychologist Shannon Swales explores midlife burnout, caregiver stress, and how self-compassion can help exhausted women learn to care for themselves without the pressure to “fix” themselves.Many midlife women are exceptionally skilled at caring for others — partners, children, ageing parents, clients, teams. But when it comes to their own needs, care can feel awkward, selfish, or unsafe.In this episode, we explore:– Why caring for others often leads to burnout in midlife– How early caregiving patterns shape self-neglect– What self-compassion really means (and what it is not)– Why compassion can feel threatening for burnt-out women– How to practise self-compassion in a gentle, embodied way– A simple compassion practice you can try todayThis is not an episode about self-improvement, optimisation, or fixing what’s broken.It’s an invitation to learn how to care for yourself with the same warmth and steadiness you offer everyone else — especially during midlife, perimenopause, and burnout recovery.Host: Shannon Swales, Clinical Psychologist, award-winning author, and midlife woman who’s walked through burnout and come out the other side. Shannon combines clinical wisdom with lived experience to support others navigating chronic stress, burnout, and big life transitions. Through gentle conversations and evidence-based insights, she helps women reconnect with themselves, reclaim their energy, and grow through what once felt like breaking points.If you enjoy the Midlife Reclaimed Podcast, join our community:• Midlife Reclaimed Online Community - a place to come back home to self - https://midlife-reclaimed.mn.co/• Social Media: Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn @shannon.a.swales• 1:1 Therapy: www.shannonaswales.com/therapySubscribe to my Mailing List: www.shannonaswales.com/subscribe and receive a free eJournal to assist in coming home to yourself.Disclaimer: This podcast does not create a therapist-client relationship with Shannon A Swales. The views expressed are general & not a substitute for personalised therapy. If in distress, seek professional help. Remember—you don’t have to face your struggles alone.

Perfectionism often looks like being capable, reliable, and responsible — the one others can count on.But beneath those labels, many women over 40 are quietly exhausted and teetering on the edge or tipping over into midlife burnout.In this solo episode of Midlife Reclaimed, psychologist and author Shannon A. Swales explores how perfectionism subtly tightens its grip in midlife — and why it so often becomes a key driver of burnout during this season of life.This conversation isn’t about fixing yourself, lowering your standards, or striving for yet another version of “better.”It’s about understanding perfectionism for what it is — a once-protective survival strategy — and gently loosening its hold so you can live with more energy, meaning, and self-trust.In this episode, Shannon explores:What perfectionism really is (and why it’s not about being perfect)How perfectionism hides behind “shoulds,” “musts,” and rigid expectationsWhy perfectionism becomes heavier and harder to carry in midlifeThe strong link between perfectionism, chronic stress, and burnoutHow perfectionism shows up in work, relationships, self-care, and decision-makingThe perfectionist voice — how it speaks, its tone, and its impact on your nervous systemWhy perfectionism is a survival mechanism — and why it no longer serves youWhat to expect when you begin loosening perfectionism’s grip (including discomfort)How values-based living offers a gentler, more sustainable alternativeSmall, compassionate steps you can take toward good-enough livingShannon also shares openly about noticing her own perfectionism show up while recording this episode — choosing to let it be real rather than polished, and modelling the very practice she’s inviting you into.This episode is an invitation to move away from unrelenting standards and toward a values-guided life — one where worth is not measured by output, and where how you live matters more than how flawlessly you perform.✨ You don’t need to be perfect to be worthy.✨ You don’t need to do more to be enough.Host: Shannon Swales: Clinical Psychologist, award-winning author, and midlife woman who’s walked through burnout and come out the other side. Shannon combines clinical wisdom with lived experience to support others navigating chronic stress, burnout, and big life transitions. Through gentle conversations and evidence-based insights, she helps women reconnect with themselves, reclaim their energy, and grow through what once felt like breaking points.If you enjoy the Midlife Reclaimed Podcast, join our community:• Midlife Reclaimed Online Community - a place to come back home to self - https://midlife-reclaimed.mn.co/• Social Media: Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn @shannon.a.swales• 1:1 Therapy: www.shannonaswales.com/therapySubscribe to my Mailing List: www.shannonaswales.com/subscribe and receive a free eJournal to assist in coming home to yourself.Disclaimer: This podcast does not create a therapist-client relationship with Shannon A Swales. The views expressed are general & not a substitute for personalised therapy. If in distress, seek professional help. Remember—you don’t have to face your struggles alone.

In this solo episode of Midlife Reclaimed, psychologist and author Shannon A. Swales gently explores one of the quiet but powerful drivers of midlife burnout for women: the weight of “shoulds.” Those internalised expectations — I should be coping better… I shouldn’t need this much rest… I should be able to do it all — often sit beneath chronic stress, exhaustion, and self-criticism. And yet, they’re rarely questioned.In this reflective conversation, Shannon unpacks:What “shoulds” really are (and how they differ from values)Why they tend to intensify in midlifeHow they keep us overextended and disconnected from our limitsWhy rest alone doesn’t resolve burnout if the internal pressure remainsHow to begin softening expectations with compassion — without guilt, selfishness, or giving up on what mattersThis episode isn’t about lowering standards or opting out of responsibility. It’s about replacing rigid rules with self-respect, discernment, and values — so you can live with more ease, sustainability, and care for yourself in midlife.As always, this episode offers general information and reflection, not personal therapy. You’re invited to listen gently, pause when needed, and take what supports you.Host: Shannon Swales: Clinical Psychologist, award-winning author, and midlife woman who’s walked through burnout and come out the other side. Shannon combines clinical wisdom with lived experience to support others navigating chronic stress, burnout, and big life transitions. Through gentle conversations and evidence-based insights, she helps women reconnect with themselves, reclaim their energy, and grow through what once felt like breaking points.If you enjoy the Midlife Reclaimed Podcast, join our community:• Midlife Reclaimed Online Community - a place to come back home to self - https://midlife-reclaimed.mn.co/• Social Media: Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn @shannon.a.swales• 1:1 Therapy: www.shannonaswales.com/therapySubscribe to my Mailing List: www.shannonaswales.com/subscribe and receive a free eJournal to assist in coming home to yourself.Disclaimer: This podcast does not create a therapist-client relationship with Shannon A Swales. The views expressed are general & not a substitute for personalised therapy. If in distress, seek professional help. Remember—you don’t have to face your struggles alone.

In this powerful and deeply human conversation, Shannon is joined by lived-experience guest Michelle Stalimeros, who shares her journey through burnout, midlife upheaval, and personal transformation. Michelle reflects on the early patterns that shaped her drive, years of striving in high-pressure corporate roles, and the subtle signs of burnout she missed along the way. She speaks openly about the coping strategies that kept her going—like binge drinking and over-functioning—and the moment everything finally caught up with her.Together, Shannon and Michelle explore:The quiet “whispers” of burnout we often overlookHow perimenopause can intensify exhaustion and emotional overwhelmWhy so many midlife women lose themselves without realisingThe turning points that led Michelle toward recoveryStopping alcohol, facing long-buried emotions, and finding clarityThe identity void burnout creates—and the surprising gifts on the other sideHow Michelle now supports others through Nostos Nest, helping people and workplaces become more psychologically safe and human-centredThis episode is an anchor for anyone feeling stretched thin, disconnected, or unsure how they reached burnout. Michelle’s story offers both compassion and hope—a reminder that recovery is possible, and often becomes a profound homecoming to yourself.Guest: Michelle Stalimeros is in her mid-50s and describes herself as “on the other side of burnout.” She has navigated major life changes including sobriety, menopause, redundancy, and redefining success. Before creating Nostos Nest, Michelle spent 14+ years at Salesforce in leadership and operational roles and became a passionate mental-health advocate—co-founding a global mental-health group and becoming a licensed Mental Health First Aid instructor. She is a two-time global recognition award recipient for her impact. Nostos Nest is her next chapter: a space where she blends strategy, lived experience, and humanity to help others create meaningful change.Website: https://nostosnest.com/Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-stalimeros-3972794/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nostosnest/Host: Shannon Swales: Clinical Psychologist, award-winning author, and midlife woman who’s walked through burnout and come out the other side. Shannon combines clinical wisdom with lived experience to support others navigating chronic stress, burnout, and big life transitions. Through gentle conversations and evidence-based insights, she helps women reconnect with themselves, reclaim their energy, and grow through what once felt like breaking points.If you enjoy the Midlife Reclaimed Podcast, join our community:• Midlife Reclaimed Online Community - a place to come back home to self - https://midlife-reclaimed.mn.co/• Social Media: Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn @shannon.a.swales• 1:1 Therapy: www.shannonaswales.com/therapySubscribe to my Mailing List: www.shannonaswales.com/subscribe and receive a free eJournal to assist in coming back to yourself.Disclaimer: This podcast does not create a therapist-client relationship with Shannon A Swales. The views expressed are general & not a substitute for personalised therapy. If in distress, seek professional help. Remember—you don’t have to face your struggles alone.

Feeling constantly exhausted, overwhelmed, or like you’re running on empty — even after resting? In this episode of Midlife Reclaimed, Shannon A Swales explores pacing, a powerful and compassionate approach to managing your energy in midlife to prevent midlife burnout.If rest is how you refill your tank, pacing is how you spend your energy — wisely, intentionally, and without slipping back into burnout mode. This episode is especially supportive for midlife women navigating burnout, perimenopause, chronic stress, or emotional overload.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhat “energy budgeting” really means and why it’s essential for burnout recovery- Why midlife women overspend their energy due to internal “shoulds” and invisible mental load- How to complete an energy inventory (including the hidden emotional labour you may be overlooking)- How to identify your personal energy drains vs. energy restorers- Simple pacing strategies to prevent burnout and reduce overwhelm- Daily check-ins that help you stay within your energy limits- Why pacing is not laziness — it’s sustainable wellbeingShannon breaks down the mindset shift required to step out of the pressure to “just keep going,” and instead move toward sustainable energy management, self-connection, and compassionate boundaries.Who This Episode Is ForThis conversation is especially supportive if you’re a midlife woman experiencing burnout, perimenopause symptoms, stress, or chronic exhaustion, or if you’re learning to regulate your nervous system after years of pushing past your limits.Host: Shannon Swales: Clinical Psychologist, award-winning author, and midlife woman who’s walked through burnout and come out the other side. Shannon combines clinical wisdom with lived experience to support others navigating chronic stress, burnout, and big life transitions. Through gentle conversations and evidence-based insights, she helps women reconnect with themselves, reclaim their energy, and grow through what once felt like breaking points.If you enjoy the Midlife Reclaimed Podcast, join our community:• Midlife Reclaimed Online Community - a place to come back home to self - https://midlife-reclaimed.mn.co/• Social Media: Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn @shannon.a.swales• 1:1 Therapy: www.shannonaswales.com/therapySubscribe to my Mailing List: www.shannonaswales.com/subscribe and receive a free eJournal to assist in coming back to yourself.Disclaimer: This podcast does not create a therapist-client relationship with Shannon A Swales. The views expressed are general & not a substitute for personalised therapy. If in distress, seek professional help. Remember—you don’t have to face your struggles alone.