010 The Guilt of Rest: Why It Feels Impossible for Women in Law to Take a Break (Even When You Know You Need It)

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The Lawyer Burnout Solution

Heather Mills

27 episodes

1 day ago

You might think burnout is just part of the deal in law, but it’s really about what we’ve been socialized to believe we “should” be doing to prove ourselves, especially as women. The good news is that you can change those thought patterns and create a career that doesn’t burn you out. Hosted by Heather Mills, a coach and former class action attorney, this show offers practical tools to help you escape burnout culture without sacrificing your career or income. You’ll learn how to restore your energy, build a sustainable legal career, and stay in control of your success. Press play and take the first step toward feeling good in your career again. Heather understands the unique pressures for women in law – the urge to prove yourself, the drive to overwork and be perfect, the expectation to put in endless hours, and all the ways we’re taught to measure our worth by how much we achieve and do for others. That's why she's on a mission to end burnout culture for women in law. This show is all about giving you the concrete tools, strategies, and mindset shifts you need to reclaim your energy, confidence, and career. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed by long hours, wondering how long you can go on like this, or questioning if success has to come at such a high personal cost, this podcast provides the support you need. Tune in every week to break free from burnout and discover how to create a legal career that actually feels good to live in, not just impressive on paper.

All content for The Lawyer Burnout Solution is the property of Heather Mills and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

010 The Guilt of Rest: Why It Feels Impossible for Women in Law to Take a Break (Even When You Know You Need It)

The Lawyer Burnout Solution

14 minutes

4 months ago

010 The Guilt of Rest: Why It Feels Impossible for Women in Law to Take a Break (Even When You Know You Need It)

Why do so many high-achieving women in law feel guilty the moment they try to rest? In this episode, we unpack the deep conditioning behind rest guilt—and how to start breaking free from it.

Rest isn’t just about what you do—it’s about how safe your body feels when you slow down. And for many lawyers, rest doesn’t feel safe at all.

We’ll explore:

Why rest triggers guilt—even when you're exhausted
How the legal system and patriarchal culture link your worth to your productivity
The nervous system science behind “off time” that doesn’t actually restore you
4 powerful reframes to help you shift your relationship with rest
Real client stories that prove change is possible, even in high-pressure environments

Whether you’re constantly checking Slack, canceling joyful plans, or telling yourself you’ll rest “once everything’s done,” this episode will help you name the internalized pressure—and start to soften it.

You’ll learn how to:

Name the guilt without believing it
Redefine rest as a professional responsibility
Gather proof that rest is safe
Separate rest from the belief that it must be earned

Because here’s the truth: You don’t have to earn rest. You get to rest because you’re human—not because you crossed off every item on your to-do list.

Want more support?
🔹 Try the Free Burnout Recovery AI Assistant: Pinpoint which phase of burnout you’re in—and get a personalized next step to start feeling better (without blowing up your life). www.heathermillscoaching.com/AIAssistant

🔹 Book a free 20-minute call: Talk through your burnout challenges and get support on what to do next. https://www.heathermillscoaching.com

🔹 Follow me on Instagram and LinkedIn: Get weekly tips, mindset shifts, and behind-the-scenes support for your burnout recovery.

Full Show Notes, Episode Transcript, Plus More Resources for Women in Law:

🔹 Episode 010 The Guilt of Rest: Why It Feels Impossible for Women in Law to Take a Break (Even When You Know You Need It)

https://www.heathermillscoaching.com/blog/010-the-guilt-of-rest-why-it-feels-impossible-for-women-in-law-to-take-a-break