Are You Running on Empty? Signs You Need to Step Away and Reset

You’ve been showing up for everyone — for your family, your coworkers, your community, your church — and still, something feels off. You’re tired. Not just “need a nap” tired, but deeply, soul-weary.

You smile through it. You keep going. But if you're honest, it feels like you're running on fumes.

Maybe you’re wondering, Is it just me?

No, friend — it’s not just you.

We live in a world that glorifies doing, hustling, achieving. We feel the pressure in our work, our homes, and even from our churches.  We compare ourselves to others and scroll endlessly on the highlight reels of social media with a constant narrative that says we don’t measure up. 

Rarely do we stop and ask: At what cost?

The truth is, you weren’t meant to run on empty.  When we continue pouring out from an empty vessel, we begin to feel depleted in our bodies, minds, and souls.

Isn’t this just what women have to do?

Many women silently push through stress, anxiety, and spiritual burnout, thinking it’s just part of life. How will our world run without us?  But there comes a point where rest isn’t just helpful — it’s essential.

Here are 5 signs you're running on empty — and how a FreeFly retreat can help you reset your life.

1. You’re Always Tired, Even After Sleep
You go to bed early, but wake up exhausted. Your body might be still, but your mind never stops. Emotional fatigue shows up even when you’ve physically “rested.”

2. You Feel Disconnected from Yourself and God
You can’t remember the last time you felt truly joyful, present, or spiritually grounded. Prayer feels dry. Your sense of purpose is blurry.  Disappointment has raised a lot of questions you don’t know how to answer.  Maybe you’ve even been shamed for asking them.  You beat yourself up with how you “should” be connecting with God, but you just can’t seem to get there. 

3. You’re Easily Irritated or Overwhelmed
Tasks that used to feel manageable now leave you anxious or overstimulated. Your emotions sit just beneath the surface — ready to spill out.  You begin to question what’s wrong with me, and why can’t I be a better mom, wife, or friend?

4. You Say “Yes” to Everyone — But Rarely to Yourself
You’re the helper, the one others depend on. But when was the last time you gave yourself permission to receive care, rest, or space to just be? Isn’t that selfish??

5. You Crave Silence and Stillness, But Can’t Find It
Whether you’re caring for kids, running a business, or serving in ministry, your days are noisy and full. You long for quiet but feel guilty slowing down.

Why Emotional Exhaustion Matters (and What It Costs)
If you ignore the signs of burnout, they don't go away — they compound. 
Chronic stress and emotional depletion affect everything from your physical health to your relationships and your faith. You were never created to live in constant output. Eventually it catches up to you, you crash out and are forced to take time to recover.

What does God say about retreating?

God invites us to rest. Jesus modeled retreating — stepping away to be restored. Your healing doesn’t happen in the hustle. It happens in the pause.  Our retreats are modeled after Jesus’s words to the disciples in Mark 6:31 “Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.”  He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat.”  In this passage, Jesus is grieving the loss of his cousin, John, and He and the disciples are weary from pouring out in ministry.  He sets the example here and in several other passages of going away and seeking rest in His Father.

Rest Isn’t a Luxury — It’s a Lifeline

We’ve been conditioned to believe rest is something we “earn.” But the truth is, rest is a need, not a reward. It's where clarity returns, joy is restored, and healing begins.

When we pause, we make space to hear God's voice again. We reconnect to our inner wisdom. We remember who we are — outside of all the roles we play.

What If You Gave Yourself Permission to Step Away and Reset?
Imagine this:
• Waking up in peace, surrounded by nature
• No deadlines, no obligations, no pressure
• Honest conversations with women who get it
• Journaling, worship, reflection, and rest
• Licensed counselors gently guiding you toward healing
This is the gift of our Christian women’s retreat — and it may be exactly what your soul has been whispering for.

Introducing: The ROOTED Retreat
October 2–5, 2025 | Charleston, SC

This 3-night retreat was created for women battling stress, burnout, and spiritual disconnection.  Led by licensed therapists and hosted in beautiful Charleston, SC, this is a safe space to:
• Reset your nervous system
• Reconnect with God and yourself
• Release anxiety and emotional weight
• Reclaim the peace you’ve been missing
Whether you're facing emotional exhaustion, burnout, or just know it's time for something to shift — this retreat offers a path to healing.

Ready to Reset?

If something inside you is whispering, “I need this,” — listen. That voice matters.

This may be the invitation your soul has been waiting for.

Spots are limited and filling quickly.

Click here to learn more and save your spot for the October retreat.

You are worthy of rest. You are allowed to take up space. And you are never too far gone to come back home — to God, to peace, to yourself.