Burnout doesn’t always arrive in a dramatic crash. For most working moms in accounting, it shows up slowly and quietly. You’re checking every box, doing all the things, showing up for everyone, and yet, you feel completely drained, impatient, and disconnected.
In this episode of The CPA MOMS Podcast, burnout coach Lauren Baptiste offers powerful insight into what burnout actually is, why it affects high-achieving moms disproportionately, and how to start turning things around with small, doable shifts.
If you’ve been telling yourself, “I’m just tired,” this conversation is your invitation to look a little deeper.
Burnout Isn’t Just Being Tired
According to the World Health Organization, burnout is an occupational phenomenon made up of three parts:
- Exhaustion — physical, mental, and emotional depletion.
- Cynicism or detachment — losing motivation, fantasizing about escape, or becoming overly negative.
- Ineffectiveness — struggling to complete tasks that once felt easy.
Lauren explains that for moms, especially those in demanding careers like accounting, burnout can stem not just from job pressure but from the mental load we carry at home. That means all the “tabs” open in your brain: planning meals, remembering daycare bags, swapping out clothes for the seasons, juggling appointments, and tracking a million tiny details.
Even when you love your work and your family, the weight of managing both without rest or recognition can wear you down in ways you don’t immediately see.
Why High-Achieving Moms Burn Out More Often
Lauren points out that women, and moms in particular, tend to burn out more often than men. And there are some very real reasons why:
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The “silent workload” of motherhood never stops. Unlike a work project, there’s no off-switch or clear end point.
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Type A tendencies like people-pleasing, perfectionism, and overcommitting are often rewarded in accounting careers. But they are also huge burnout triggers.
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Procrastination might seem like a lack of discipline, but it’s often a symptom of perfectionism and fear. We try to delay something because we feel it must be done perfectly.
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Poor boundaries and difficulty asking for help mean you’re carrying more than you need to, all the time.
The most powerful shift is understanding that burnout isn’t just about external pressures. It’s also about how you’re operating internally — your beliefs, your habits, and your mindset.
It’s Not the Client. It’s the Operating System.
One of Lauren’s biggest messages is this: burnout isn’t caused by that one tough client or one extra tax return. Those things might feel like the issue, but often, they’re just symptoms.
Burnout usually means your way of operating is no longer working for you. For example:
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You say yes when you want to say no.
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You feel guilty taking breaks or asking for help.
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You aim for A+ results in tasks that only need to be “good enough.”
In a firm setting or solo practice, this adds up fast. When you’re constantly pushing without pausing, striving without reevaluating, your body and mind eventually demand a timeout.
The solution isn’t overhauling your life, but making small, consistent shifts.
Small Shifts That Make a Big Difference
You don’t need a total reset. You need a reframe.
Lauren suggests starting with:
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A self-assessment to understand where you fall on the stress and burnout spectrum
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Mindset shifts, like replacing “I have to” with “I get to”
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Letting go of perfectionism by aiming for B+ work when possible
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Thinking in pass/fail, especially for recurring tasks (no one grades how you drive your kids to school)
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Delegating more often and letting others show up for you
One of the most freeing insights Lauren shares is this: you don’t have to do it all yourself, and you don’t have to do it all perfectly.
If something doesn’t need to be color-coded, flawless, or done early, give yourself permission to simplify.
Resources to Help You Right Now
Lauren recently collaborated with the AICPA to launch a Burnout Prevention Toolkit. This resource includes:
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A stress self-assessment
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Weekly check-in worksheets
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A goal setting and time management guide
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A framework for firm owners to assess and address burnout on their teams
Burnout doesn’t have to be your normal. If you’re craving a better way to work and live, one that honors your energy and your goals, you don’t have to figure it out alone.
Join the CPA MOMS community and get the support you need to grow your practice without burning out: https://cpamoms.com/start
Lauren Baptiste is reshaping the future of work with a simple strategy: prioritize yourself to effectively meet your professional KPIs. With over 13 years of corporate experience, Lauren founded Acheloa Wellness, a coaching and consulting firm that equips professionals in accounting, bookkeeping, consulting and finance with the tools to advance their careers without compromise.
Her methodology guides clients to overcome burnout in 6 months or less while supporting their career advancement. As a result, clients feel fulfilled in their career and enjoy more free time at home. As a speaker and consultant on burnout, mindfulness, and women in leadership, Lauren has worked with organizations including IBM, TD Securities, EY, NFL, Warner Music, Estee Lauder, Standard Chartered Bank, and the United Nations. Her work has been featured in Forbes, CNBC. Thrive Global, Medium, and Authority Magazine.
Website: https://acheloawellness.com