Burnout season is here, and I know I’m not the only one feeling it. In this episode, I’m sharing why I took a long break from the podcast, why October always seems to push photographers to the edge, and how burnout shows up long before you hit the wall.

I’ll take you behind the scenes of my own experience—what it feels like when capacity keeps shrinking, why “booked & busy” is actually a red flag, and what I’m doing differently now. This season is all about naming burnout for what it is and building systems that actually support us instead of draining us.

Chapters

00:00 Burnout sneaks in

01:56 Why this season, why now

05:00 Naming burnout + invisible labour

10:00 Warning signs & industry pressure

17:00 Support, resets & resources

Key Takeaways

• Burnout isn’t a personal failure—it’s baked into how our industry runs, and it often sneaks in quietly.
• Telling yourself “just one more week” doesn’t work—the goalpost always moves.
• Systems that respect your capacity are essential when you can’t (and shouldn’t) run at 100%.
• Warning signs include irritability, constant apologizing, always feeling behind, running on caffeine, skipping meals, and poor sleep.
• “Booked & busy” isn’t a badge of honour—it’s usually your body running on adrenaline.

Mentioned In This Episode

HoneyBook — The CRM & Client Flow platform I’ve trusted for 7+ years. Try it free + 30% off your first year: simplysandrayvonne.ca/honeybook

Busy Season Email Survival Kit (Free) — Inbox templates for the days when your capacity is low, but the work still needs to get done: simplysandrayvonne.ca/survivalkit

Fix Your Foundations: Offboarding Edition — My 5-day email challenge that helps you actually end projects with less stress: simplysandrayvonne.ca/fixyourfoundations

The Cabana (Patreon) — Bonus content, extended interviews, and behind-the-scenes voice notes for photographers building sustainable businesses: simplysandrayvonne.ca/patreon

If this episode hits home, make sure you subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who might be quietly burning out too.