Feeling Burnt Out? Here’s How I Switch from Work Mode to Chill Mode
Isn’t modern life just so busy? It’s so easy to burn the candle at both ends and reach a point where you’ve pushed yourself too far — when really, you should’ve taken a step back long before.
Whenever I hit that wall, I notice my productivity crashes, I start procrastinating, then I stress about procrastinating, and suddenly it’s a whole vicious cycle. Sound familiar?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to resetting. But I thought I’d share a few things I turn to when I need to slow down and recharge. Hopefully, it’ll inspire you to create your own little reboot ritual when you need it most.
Watch
Looking for a binge-worthy series?
You have to watch Maid on Netflix. It follows a young mother who, after leaving an abusive relationship, starts working as a cleaner while rebuilding her life with her daughter.
It’s a powerful, emotional story that hooks you from the first episode. Fair warning: it’s a tearjerker. But it’s also empowering and beautifully done.
⭐️ IMDb rating: 8.5/10 — which is pretty rare, so definitely pop it on your watch list.
Read
If a good book is more your thing, here’s one I loved:
“But You’re Still So Young: How Thirtysomethings Are Redefining Adulthood” by Kayleen Schaefer.
In the 1950s, sociologists came up with a five-point checklist that defined “adulthood”: finish school, move out, get married, become financially independent, and have kids.
But life doesn’t work like that anymore — and this book dives into how those traditional milestones don’t really define us today. It’s such a refreshing read if you’ve ever felt like you're “behind” or not where you’re “supposed” to be. The truth is, your timeline is your own.
Listen
Saving the best for last? Yep. If you’ve seen my stories, you’ll know how much I love Holly Tucker and everything she stands for.
Her podcast is full of heart, inspiration and authenticity. I love listening while making BAO batches or packing your orders. Honestly, podcasts are such a lovely way to learn something new or feel uplifted by someone else’s journey.
You can find Holly’s podcast here:
🎙️ https://holly.co/podcast/
Eat
For me, there’s nothing more comforting than a cosy, home-cooked meal. Cooking with a good playlist or podcast playing in the background is my therapy. It takes my mind off the busy-ness and helps me reset.
So I had to share one of my go-to comfort food recipes: Vegan Mac and Cheese (originally by Jamie Oliver). It’s creamy, cheesy (without the cheese!), and so easy to throw together — plus it freezes beautifully.
Vegan Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 350g dried macaroni
- sea salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- 1 onion
- 1 litre unsweetened organic soya milk
- 100g dairy-free margarine
- 85g plain flour
- 1 heaped teaspoon English mustard
- 1½ tablespoons nutritional yeast flakes
- 50g vegan cheese , optional (available from specialist stores)
- 5 cloves of garlic
- ½ a bunch of fresh thyme
- olive oil
- 40g fresh breadcrumbs
Method
- Preheat oven to 180ºC / 350ºF / gas 4.
- Cook macaroni in salted boiling water until al dente.
- In a small pan, heat the milk with the halved onion, then remove from heat and discard the onion.
- In a separate pan, melt margarine, add flour, and stir to form a roux.
- Slowly whisk in warm milk, stirring constantly until smooth. Simmer for 10 mins.
- Stir in mustard, nutritional yeast, and vegan cheese (if using). Season with salt and pepper.
- Drain the pasta and stir it through the sauce. Transfer to a baking dish.
- Fry garlic and thyme in oil for 2–3 mins, blitz with breadcrumbs and a splash of oil, then sprinkle over the pasta.
- Bake for 20–25 mins until golden and bubbling. Let sit for 5 mins before serving with seasonal greens.