Midlife, Burnout and Coming Home to Yourself | Shannon Swales

In this heartfelt and insightful episode of Compassion in a T-Shirt, I’m joined once again by Clinical Psychologist, writer, and podcast host Shannon A Swales. Shannon is the founder of Burnout Psychology Support, host of the Midlife Reclaimed podcast, and author of Nothing Left to Give: A Psychologist’s Path Back from Burnout.

Shannon first appeared on the channel on 15 July 2023, where she shared her own journey through burnout and recovery. This time, she returns to share her clinical insights and compassionate perspective on helping midlife women navigate burnout, life transitions, and the quiet disconnection so many feel.

Together, we explore:
. The complex interplay between burnout, perimenopause, identity shifts, and cumulative life stress
. The deeper psychological and systemic roots of burnout
. How compassion—especially self-compassion—can be a powerful force for healing and recovery
. Ways to reconnect with the self through gentle, internal work
. The importance of balancing ambition, wellbeing, and authenticity in midlife

Timestamps00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
01:31 Understanding Midlife Burnout
01:54 The Impact of Perimenopause and Menopause
02:51 Existential Questions and Life Transitions
03:47 Cumulative Effects and Behavioral Patterns
07:19 Systemic Factors and Workplace Burnout
12:48 Reconnecting with Self through Therapy
21:03 Internal Work and External Changes
23:31 Balancing Career Aspirations and Health
29:06 Balancing Priorities and Self-Safety
30:24 The Three Circles of Compassion
30:55 Introducing Self-Compassion
33:33 Challenges in Practicing Self-Compassion
37:44 Fierce vs. Tender Self-Compassion
43:47 Befriending Burnout
50:30 Reconnecting with Self
52:57 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Learn more about Shannon’s work:Website: https://www.burnoutpsychologysupport.... https://www.burnoutpsychologysupport.... https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0CJXBMJ... https://www.burnoutpsychologysupport.... https://midlife-reclaimed.mn.coSocials: @ShannonASwales

If you would like to learn more about compassion focused therapy, you can find Dr Stan Steindl's book The Gifts of Compassion here: https://www.ausapress.com/p/the-gifts...

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Video hashtags:
midlife, burnout, selfcompassion, womenshealth, psychologicalwellbeing, compassionfocusedtherapy