How to Switch Off (and Why It Matters)
Five reflections from the frontline of burnout, boundaries, and being your own boss
I’ll be honest — this article wasn’t born from a place of having it all figured out. It was born from fatigue. Frustration. And a dawning realisation that I’d stopped enjoying the business I’d worked so hard to build.
Like many solopreneurs, I love what I do. Coaching others to grow their lives and businesses is what lights me up. But when you love your work too much — when your self-worth becomes fused with your results — it’s easy to slip into burnout without even realising it.
This blog is for you if:
You struggle to switch off at the end of the day
You feel guilty when you’re not “being productive”
Your business is starting to feel more draining than energising
Let me share 5 ways I’ve learned to switch off and protect my mental and emotional energy — not just so I can do good work, but so I can actually enjoy it again. Listen to episode 21 of The Solo Coach Podcast for an enhanced description, with examples, of the following 5 ways to switch off.
1. When You Think You Need Less… You Might Need More
When we feel overwhelmed, our instinct is to do less. Take more breaks. Be gentler.
But what I’ve found is that sometimes I need more, not less — just not more work.
I need more stimulation outside of business. More creative outlets. More mental engagement in things that have nothing to do with coaching or content or clients.
For me, that’s been fixing up old cars with a friend. It’s technical. Challenging. Absorbing. And most importantly — it gets me out of my own head.
When your work is mentally demanding, the solution isn’t always to rest. Sometimes it’s to find a different kind of challenge to light up your brain in new ways.
2. Exercise and Socialising: Two Pillars of Sanity
When I look back at the weeks where I felt low, flat, or burnt out, there’s a common thread — no movement and no mates.
Exercise doesn’t just help your body. It gives your mind an outlet, your mood a boost, and your nervous system a reset.
Add in a bit of social connection — a walk with a mate, a group cycle, a chat over coffee — and suddenly life feels less heavy.
It sounds simple. It is simple. But that doesn’t make it any less essential.
3. Don’t Underestimate the Power of Sleep and Mental Rest
We treat rest like an afterthought. Something that happens once we’ve ticked everything off our to-do list.
But quality rest — real rest — is non-negotiable.
I’ve learned that scrolling LinkedIn until midnight doesn’t count. Neither does lying in bed thinking about tomorrow’s content plan. If your brain’s still in work mode, your body isn’t really recovering.
Now I aim to transition out of the working day with intention. Read fiction. Have non-work conversations. Avoid screens where I can. And remind myself: rest is not a luxury — it’s fuel for tomorrow’s clarity.
4. Talk to Someone (and Say the Real Stuff)
Not “I’m fine.” Not “All good, thanks.” I mean really talk.
Whether it’s a trusted friend, a coach, a partner — find someone you can be unfiltered with. Someone who won’t just nod and move on, but will actually ask, “How are you really doing?”
Sometimes the most powerful moment in those conversations is hearing: “Yeah, me too.”
It’s validating. It’s relieving. It reminds you that you’re not broken — you’re human.
5. Create Time for Deep Reflection (Then Actually Do It)
If you’re a deep thinker, you need space to reflect. Not just while brushing your teeth or doing the dishes — I mean actual, dedicated time to tune into your intuition and listen to what’s really going on beneath the surface.
Sometimes that means journalling. Sometimes it means walking in silence. Sometimes it means sitting across from someone who can help you untangle the thoughts circling your head like a washing machine.
Reflection is where you see the patterns. The “aha” moments. The stuff your busy brain doesn’t give you access to when you’re constantly in doing mode.
Final Thoughts: Burnout Isn’t Weakness — It’s a Signal
I didn’t write this blog to say “Look how well I’ve cracked it.” I wrote it because I hadn’t.
Because I needed to remind myself — and maybe remind you too — that switching off isn’t selfish. It’s the oxygen mask that helps you keep going.
So if your body’s telling you something’s off… listen to it. If your mind is foggy and fried, trust it needs rest. And if you’ve stopped enjoying the business you once loved — it’s not too late to change how you work.
I'd love to hear what works for you. How do you switch off? Drop me a message or come join the conversation on Instagram or LinkedIn.
Until next time — take care of yourself,
David
