WOMEN IN PODCASTING AWARDS: Show your support by voting for Midlife Reclaimed: https://www.womenpodcasters.com/midlife-reclaimed Voting is open April 1 - 30th. Winners Announced in May 2026. Host, Shannon A Swales, is also nominated in the category of podcaster guest for her 20+ appearances on other podcasts to spread her wisdom and knowledge on burnout and midlife health and well-being for women - https://www.womenpodcasters.com/shannon-swales

In this solo episode, I’m exploring a question that so many women find themselves asking in midlife — especially in the depths of burnout:

“Is this career still right for me?”

It’s a tender and often confusing place to be.

Because when we’re exhausted, overwhelmed, and running on empty, the urge to escape can feel very real.

But how do we know:

👉 Is this burnout speaking — a need for relief?

👉 Or is it a deeper misalignment — a genuine call for change?

In this episode, I gently walk you through:

• Why career questions often arise during burnout
• The difference between burnout-driven escape and true misalignment
• How our identity and sense of worth can become tied to our work
• Why making big decisions in burnout can feel urgent — but isn’t always wise
• The role of the “threat brain” and our natural urge to seek relief
• Practical ways to create space before making decisions
• How to reconnect with your values to find clarity and direction

I also share parts of my own experience — including the moment I questioned whether I could continue in my career at all.

This is not about rushing into answers.

It’s about creating space, to listen more deeply, and to reconnect with what truly matters to you.

☕ So if you’ve been quietly wondering,

“Is this still for me?” — this episode is for you.

Host: Shannon Swales: Clinical Psychologist, award-winning author, & midlife woman who’s walked through burnout & come out the other side. Shannon combines clinical wisdom with lived experience to support others navigating chronic stress, burnout, & big life transitions. Through gentle conversations & evidence-based insights, she helps women reconnect with themselves, reclaim their energy, & grow through what once felt like breaking points.

Other ways to connect with Shannon

• Midlife Reclaimed Community

• Social Media: @shannon.a.swales

• Burnout Therapy

• Midlife Reclaimed Coaching for Women

• Join Shannon's Mailing List - free eJournal

Disclaimer: This podcast does not create a therapist-client relationship with Shannon. 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.

Engaging with this podcast does not intend to create, nor does it create, a therapist-client relationship between you and Shannon A Swales. All views, opinions, and tips expressed by me or my guests are general in nature and not a replacement for personalised therapy. As I have done for myself, I encourage anyone experiencing distress to seek professional support. In Australia, if you are in a life-threatening emergency, please dial 000. For immediate counselling, contact Lifeline (13 11 14) or 13YARN (13 92 76) for First Nation Australians. Stay safe, and remember—you don’t have to face your struggles alone.

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