When You Start Questioning Yourself
- Tori Lynn Crowther
- Jun 6, 2025
- 3 min read
When You Start Questioning Yourself: Why Burnout Attacks Identity, Not Just Energy
One of the hardest parts of severe overwhelm is not the tiredness.
It is the self-doubt.
Suddenly, thoughts appear like:
“Maybe I’m not cut out for this”
“I used to cope better than this”
“Other people manage — why can’t I?”
“What if this means I need to stop?”
This is not insight.
It is what burnout does to identity.
Burnout Shrinks Perspective
When you are exhausted, your mind loses access to:
Past competence
Long-term context
Balanced judgement
It narrows down to threat-based thinking.
Your brain starts scanning for reasons why things feel unsafe — and often turns inward.
This is why big life questions feel urgent during burnout, even though they rarely need answering right now.
Do Not Make Meaning While You Are Depleted
When your system is overwhelmed:
You will interpret neutral things negatively
You will underestimate your resilience
You will overestimate the permanence of how you feel
This is not the moment to:
Reassess your career
Rewrite your identity
Decide whether this is “right for you”
Those questions require energy and steadiness — not depletion.
A More Accurate Reframe
Instead of asking:
“What does this say about me?”
Try:
“What has this system been carrying for too long?”
Burnout does not mean you chose wrong.
It usually means you cared deeply — without enough recovery.
Your confidence has not disappeared.
It is temporarily offline.
About the Monthly
Each month, we focus on a single theme designed to help you run your business more calmly, confidently, and effectively.
The monthly content includes:
A short, grounding audio to help you step out of reaction mode and tune into intention.
A blog with examples, insights, and practical strategies to put the theme into action.
Attachments and worksheets to make the month easy to navigate and implement.
Optional deeper dives for months where you feel you need extra guidance or support.
You can use the materials at your own pace: listen, read, and apply as it suits you. The goal is steady progress, not perfection.
Think of each month as a rhythm for your business — a way to focus on what matters most, reduce friction, and build lasting calm and clarity with your clients and dogs.
About Tori Lynn C. & The Dog House
Welcome to The Dog House — my cosy corner of the TLC Canine Crusaders Business Hub. I’m Tori Lynn C., the founder of TLC Dog Walking Limited, mentor to professional dog walkers, and lifelong advocate for dogs and the people who care for them. Before building my own dog walking company, I worked as a dog trainer and held corporate roles at Pizza Hut’s Head Office in London and at PricewaterhouseCoopers, based at Embankment Place. Business, structure, and people management have been part of my life for a very long time.
With full time, hands-on experience in the dog industry since 2007, my mission is to guide you through the realities of running a successful, sustainable dog walking business — from client care and safety to wellbeing, confidence, and professional growth.
The Dog House is where I share the honest, behind-the-scenes conversations we all need: the tricky moments, the funny bits, the business lessons, and the mindset work that keeps us thriving rather than merely surviving. Whether you're just starting out or scaling up, you’ll always find support, guidance, and a friendly nudge forward here.
You’re never alone in this journey — you’re part of a community of canine crusaders.
Legal Disclaimer
The information provided on this website is for general information and educational purposes only. It is intended to support pet care professionals in understanding common legal considerations when operating a dog walking or pet care business in the UK.
This content does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as a substitute for advice from a qualified solicitor or legal professional. Laws, regulations and local authority requirements may change over time and can vary depending on location and individual circumstances.
While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date at the time of publication, no guarantees are made regarding completeness or applicability to your specific situation.
By using this website, you acknowledge that:
✓ You are responsible for ensuring your own business complies with all relevant UK laws and local authority rules
✓ You should seek professional legal advice before drafting, using or relying on any contract or legal document
✓ The website owner accepts no liability for loss, damage or legal issues arising from the use of this information
If you are unsure about any legal obligations, contractual terms or liabilities, it is strongly recommended that you consult a solicitor experienced in small business or consumer law.
Comments