Beyond Tired: BIPOC Professional Burnout

Aug 14

You’re not lazy. You’re deeply tired.

If you’re a high-achieving BIPOC professional feeling like you’re running on fumes, or you’ve lost your drive completely, it’s not a motivation problem. It’s not a personal shortcoming. It’s not a mindset issue.

It’s burnout.

What does burnout look like?

For BIPOC professionals, burnout isn’t just about long hours, too many late nights, or doing the job of multiple people. These things are exhausting on their own, of course. But there are extra burdens and challenges professionals of color can face in the workplace:

Code-switching to survive workplace dynamics
Trying to shake off microaggressions
Brushing off inappropriate conduct for fear of seeming “difficult”
Over-performing to be seen as competent enough
Being the only BIPOC person, or one of very few, in the room
Bearing generational expectations, community responsibilities, and/or family pressures

It’s working twice as hard to get half as far, then blaming yourself when you’re too tired to keep pushing.

The myth of rest as laziness

So many of us were raised to believe that rest is something to be earned, and only once everything and everyone else is taken care of. We internalize the message that acknowledging your exhaustion is self-indulgent. That our worth is tied to our achievements. This is especially true for first generation professionals, children of immigrants, and folks who carry the weight of generational survival.

But here’s the truth: you don’t need to earn rest. Your exhaustion isn’t just valid, it’s completely understandable.

Burnout isn’t a personal failure. It’s a systemic one.

What can you do about it?

This isn’t about fixing your attitude. It’s time to unlearn conditioning that tells you your value comes from your productivity.

Working with a therapist who understands racial and cultural context
Reclaiming rest as resistance, not weakness
Setting and holding boundaries that prioritize your peace
Feeling safe enough to feel your feelings, not just manage them

At MINDplexcity, we specialize in holding space for BIPOC professionals who are tired of holding it all together. You don’t have to push through anymore. You deserve support that sees you fully. You’re not lazy, you’re human, and you’re allowed to rest.