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In this week’s newsletter

Catch up:

As the end of 2024 approaches, I have been reflecting on a big milestone—my first year transitioning from a career as a doctor to self-employment outside of medicine. It’s been a wild, transformative ride: liberating, terrifying, and everything in between.

Stepping away from medicine wasn’t just about leaving a job. It was about crawling out from under the weight of burnout and asking myself what kind of life I wanted to live. Self-employment gave me space to reimagine everything. It has given me flexibility, autonomy, and a way to do work that feels meaningful—on my terms. But let me be clear: self-employment isn’t a magic wand for burnout.  It can just as easily turn into a pressure cooker of endless hustle if you’re not careful.

That’s the paradox, isn’t it? The freedom of self-employment can cure stress, but the uncertainty, isolation, and overwork can cause it, too. Whether it’s your dream solution or a nightmare waiting to happen depends on your personality, values, support systems, and how you handle your stress.

If you’ve been thinking about self-employment or are already riding the rollercoaster, let’s explore how to figure out whether it’s better for your stress levels—or if a more structured setup might be the right call.

Becoming a Phoenix, part 6

Does burnout lead to self-employment—or something else entirely?

Burnout is a complex beast—its causes and remedies are deeply personal and situational. But research into burnout, particularly among high-stress professions like healthcare, teaching, and corporate roles, gives us some fascinating insights into the connection between burnout and self-employment.

Let’s break it down:

What the evidence says about burnout

Burnout, as defined by the World Health Organisation, stems from chronic workplace stress that isn’t effectively managed. Its hallmark symptoms—emotional exhaustion, cynicism or detachment from work, and a reduced sense of accomplishment—can drive people to question not just their job, but their entire career.

Here’s what the data tells us:

1. Burnout makes people reassess their work.
   Studies show that burnout often leads to profound career introspection. People experiencing burnout frequently explore alternative career paths, including self-employment, career breaks, or switching industries. However, self-employment isn’t the most common response. Many people seek structured but less demanding roles or move to part-time work first.

2. Burnout and self-employment: the link is nuanced.
   Research on self-employment and burnout suggests it’s a double-edged sword.

   • The good: Many people turn to self-employment to escape rigid hierarchies, toxic workplace cultures, or lack of autonomy—major contributors to burnout. Self-employment can indeed reduce these stressors, especially for those who crave independence and value-driven work.

   • The challenge: Self-employment comes with its own stressors, such as financial instability, blurred work-life boundaries, and isolation. People with high levels of perfectionism or a tendency to overwork may find these amplified when they work for themselves.

3. Self-employment isn’t a panacea.
   Self-employed individuals tend to report lower levels of job-related stress and higher levels of job satisfaction—but only if they have sufficient financial resources, good time-management skills, and strong support networks. Without these, self-employment can be just as stressful, if not more so, than traditional employment.

4. Burnout recovery often starts with boundaries, not big leaps.
   Evidence suggests that resolving burnout involves addressing its root causes—whether that’s workload, values misalignment, or insufficient recovery time—before making drastic career changes. Some people recover from burnout within their existing roles by creating stronger boundaries or finding support, while others need a fresh start, like self-employment (I go into much more detail in my upcoming book The Burnout Doctor- scroll to the bottom to pre-order your copy!).

So, do most people that burn out go self-employed?

The data indicates that while some people do turn to self-employment after burnout, the majority opt for less drastic changes. They may:

• Transition to roles with better work-life balance or lower emotional demands.

• Seek part-time or flexible work arrangements.

• Take extended breaks (like a sabbatical) to recover before deciding their next steps.

Self-employment tends to appeal most to those who value autonomy and are willing to trade financial security for flexibility. However, it’s not the default choice for most people recovering from burnout—it’s one of many paths, and its success depends on individual circumstances.

If you’re on the fence about whether self-employment is right for you, grab a journal, a quiet(ish) spot, and dig into these prompts:

1. What does “freedom” mean to me? Is it flexible hours? The ability to say no to work that drains me? Less commuting? Pinpoint the specifics.

2. What stresses me out most about my current job or situation? Is it the lack of control? Deadlines? Toxic colleagues? Financial strain?

3. What’s my relationship with structure? Do I thrive with clear expectations, or do I need wide-open creative space?

4. What kind of support do I have? Who’s in my corner emotionally, practically, or financially if things get tough?

5. What’s my tolerance for uncertainty? How much risk can I handle before stress outweighs the benefits of freedom?

For self-employed working mums feeling overwhelmed

If self-employment feels like it’s crushing your soul, remember: you don’t have to “do it all.” The hustle culture surrounding entrepreneurship is a toxic myth. Try these tips to ease the pressure:

• Revisit your boundaries

  • Are you saying yes to too much? Reassess what’s realistic, and don’t be afraid to draw firmer lines around your time and energy.

• Schedule breaks like client meetings

  • If flexibility is why you went solo, make sure you’re actually using it! Block out time for rest, hobbies, and family—without guilt. Time blocking is an effective tool to use here!

• Outsource strategically

  • Delegate tasks that drain you (bookkeeping, admin, meal planning) so you can focus on what energises you.

• Join a community

  • Self-employment can be lonely. Find networking groups or online spaces for people in similar situations—you’re not alone in this.

• Redefine “success.”

  • It doesn’t have to be about endless growth or big numbers. What does enough look like for you?

For working mums dreaming of self-employment

Thinking of making the leap? Here’s how to prepare so you land on solid ground:

• Start with a side hustle

  • Dip your toes in the water before going all-in. It’s a low-risk way to test the waters and build confidence.

• Get crystal clear on your finances

  • Know your numbers—how much you need to live, save, and invest in your business. Build a safety net, and don’t forget insurance.

• Seek mentors

  • Connect with others who’ve made the leap. Learn from their mistakes, and borrow their wisdom.

• Plan for the transition

  • When will you go full-time? What metrics or milestones will tell you you’re ready? Write it all down.

• Get your mindset in check

  • Self-employment requires resilience, self-discipline, and flexibility. Work on those skills now—you’ll thank yourself later.

Whether self-employment is your goal or you’re thriving in a more traditional job, the key is finding a path that works for your stress levels, energy, and family life.

What’s one small change you could make today to make work feel a little lighter as you go into 2025?

Let me know—I’d love to hear your thoughts! Just hit the reply button and your email will come directly to me. I love to hear from my readers.

Have a wonderful week,

Claire

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