If you’re like my clients, high-achieving women who are tired of holding it all together, burnout is a regular theme in your life. You know what I’m talking about. The all too common fatigue that a nap won’t fix. From long shifts at the hospital to pulling 60-hour work weeks, you long for the weekend, hoping that you will finally get the rest you desperately need before the cycle starts back up on Monday. Meanwhile, you have unlimited PTO or PTO that has been acquired over the year just sitting there but you struggle to use it. This blog post covers a few reasons why high-achieving women may struggle to take their PTO.

You Like Being the Dependable One

Many of my high-achieving clients are the “go-to” person at work. The one that others rely on, the “team player,” and the one that others know they can count on. And if they are being honest, it feels good. A part of them thrives off knowing that others can count on them, and it can become a source of self-esteem. And because they are the dependable ones, many high achievers worry that they will no longer be dependable if they were to take their PTO to rest, relax, and enjoy life outside of work.

Two women looking at images on a laptop. This image represents how high achieving women may struggle with taking PTO as they may like being the dependable one. Dr. Molly Moore is a psychologist in Austin, Texas who specializes in working with women.

The truth: Taking your PTO doesn’t mean you are not dependable. It means that you are taking care of yourself so you can show up at work in a way that is fulfilling both personally and professionally.

You Worry That Tasks Won’t Get Completed (Or Done Right)

Many high-achieving women also experience perfectionism and the need for control. They find it difficult to take time off from work and delegate tasks to others. They fear that if they were to take time off or delegate tasks, the tasks wouldn’t get done right or on time. They think to themselves, “It will be easier if I just do it.” This need for control and wanting things “done right” can leave them feeling resentful and burned out.

The truth: Learning how to delegate tasks and release control can help decrease burnout and increase productivity.

Five women sit at a desk working. This image represents how high achieving women may struggle to take time off work due to fearing how others would perceive them. Taking time off from work can help professional women beat burnout.

You Fear How Others Would Perceive You Taking Time Off

Many high-achievers worry about how others perceive them. Thoughts similar to “Was I too firm?” and “What do stakeholders think of me?” run through their minds. So it’s common that they would worry how others would perceive them if they were to take time off. They may worry that others will think that they are not committed or that they do not take their job seriously. They may even fear that they will lose recognition for their hard work.

The truth: You can’t control how others perceive you. It’s a harsh truth that many of us come to realize, likely the hard way. But once we lose control over how people see us, we are able to live our lives in an accordance with our values.

You Feel Guilty When You Try to Relax

If you’re like my clients, you are always on the go and struggle to find time to rest and relax (even when you are sick). But when you do get time, you’re overwhelmed with guilt and a nagging voice telling you “I should be doing something” or “I feel so lazy and unproductive.” Most of my clients tie their worth to their productivity and so taking time off “for no real reason” leaves them feeling guilty. We live in a society that reinforces hustle culture and productivity, so of course, you feel guilty when you try to relax.

The truth: You are worthy, despite how productive you are. And sometimes, the most “productive” thing you can do is to do nothing. By taking time to truly rest, you are able to invest in yourself so you can show up in all areas of your life.

A woman lays on a bed. This image represents how high achieving women may feel guilty when they try to relax. Dr. Molly Moore is an anxiety therapist in Texas who specializes in professional women.

Final Thoughts

The pressure to do it all and be it all can feel overwhelming, especially for high-achieving women who strive for perfectionism. But this can be a recipe for burnout. You deserve to take care of yourself, set boundaries at work and in your personal life, and thrive without sacrificing yourself. Your PTO is there for you to use it!

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Work-life balance may be a myth, but you can still live a life that is fulfilling and sustainable. If you are an anxious, high-achieving woman in Austin who wants long-lasting strategies to build a life where you are thriving instead of surviving, I would love to hear from you.

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Other Services Offered by Dr. Molly Moore of Moore Psychotherapy, PLLC

Are you a high-achieving woman who struggles with anxiety, impostor syndrome, and burnout? I’m Dr. Molly Moore, a licensed psychologist in Austin, TX who specializes in working with high-achieving women just like you. In addition to helping clients ditch anxiety with Therapy for Anxiety, I also help women overcome self-doubt and feeling like a fraud with Therapy for Imposter Syndrome. Therapy for Burnout is for women who are exhausted—emotionally and physically—to find relief and be productive without sacrificing their needs. In my practice, I provide Online Therapy in Texas. To learn more about me and the work I do, check out my About Me page and my blog.

4 Reasons Why High-Achieving Women Struggle to Take Their PTO