"I'm Fine" — And Other Lies I Told My Doctor
- Amanda Evans
- Mar 21
- 3 min read
Burnout doesn't always announce itself. Sometimes it hides behind a smile and calendar full of "normal" life stuff. Here's how I figured out mine — way too late — and why I want you to catch it earlier than I did.
The Doctor Visit That Changed Everything (Sort Of)
I can still remember the day I hit my lowest point. I was sitting in the doctor’s office, confused and frustrated. My blood pressure was high, my head was constantly pounding, I had zero energy, and I was gaining weight like my body was preparing for a Texas-sized winter.
The test results? Totally normal.Me? Absolutely not normal.
Then the doctor asked, “How’s your stress level?”
Cue plot twist.
The Moment I Blew It
Now, if this were a movie, this is where I'd have broken down, tears flowing, confessing every last stressor in my life.
But nope.
I smiled and said, "It's fine. Nothing out of the ordinary."
Spoiler alert: It was not fine.
Wait... Why Did I Say That?
Here's the weird logic that lived in my head:
If the stress came from things that I couldn't change — like work, marriage, or motherhood — then it wasn't really stress.
It was just life. And if I couldn't handle it? That wasn't burnout. That was me being bad at life.
The Invisible Weight of Expectations
I told my doctor that work had calmed down. No big projects. No deadlines.
Just "living the dream!"
What I didn't realize was that I had been carrying around chronic stress for year — I just didn't call it that.
Chronic vs. Acute Stress: A Crash Course I Ignored
I already knew the difference:
Acute stress is short-term and linked to specific events (deadlines, arguments, etc.)
Chronic stress is the low him of constant demands and unspoken pressure that never really goes away
And guess what I had? A whole playlist of chronic stress triggers on repeat.
Every passive-aggressive meeting comment? Stress.
Every unresolved fight with my husband? Stress.
Every time I smiled when I wanted to scream? Stress.
I had completely dismissed the bulk of my stress simply because it didn't look dramatic.
Burnout Sneaks in Quietly
Most of my stress came from roles I though I had to play:
The agreeable coworker. The perfect mom in public. The wife who keeps it together.
These roles came with unspoken rules — rules I didn't question, but followed religiously.
So...Did I Start Screaming in Public?
Nope. I didn't go full Hulk. That's not the point.
But I did start letting go of the pressure to be everything to everyone.
I realized I was letting the fears of others' opinions keep me locked in a stress loop.
And once I saw it? I couldn't unsee it.
The Real Breakthrough: Mover Your Body
Here's what I learned next (and honestly, it blew my mind):
Physical movement is the most effective way to complete the stress cycle. There are other options but they aren't nearly as guaranteed as moving.
You may not be able to avoid the stressors in your life, but your body needs a way to release the stress. The less you move, the more it builds.
I started small — walks, stretching, dancing in the kitchen (badly). But it made a difference.
Burnout Doesn't Mean You're Weak
It doesn't mean you're lazy or clueless.
Burnout often comes from pushing too hard for too long, without an off switch.
And most of us are so busy "handling it" that we don't even realize we're breaking.
What I Want You to Know
If you're feeling off and you can't figure out why, take a beat.
Check your inner dialogue.
Ask yourself:
Am I actually ok, or just saying I am?
Is this pressure I'm feeling normal...of just familiar?
What am I carrying that no one else can see?
You're not alone in this.
And there is a way out.
And if you're already sitting in your doctor's office like I was?
Still continue forward with them.
But also: ask better questions. Reflect on your answers. Consider another perspective— whether it's a burnout coach, a trusted friend, or a therapist.
You don't have to wait for things to fall apart to start healing.
And remember—"fine" isn't the same as well.
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