Burnout is a buzzword in our industry, and for good reason. As women balancing demanding careers, family life, and the constant pressure to keep up, it’s easy to assume that the fatigue, frustration, or disconnection we feel must be burnout.
But what if it’s not?
In this insightful episode of The CPA MOMS Podcast, host Nicole Kehl sits down with CPA MOMS founder Mayumi Young to explore a powerful distinction that could change the way you think about stress. Are you truly burned out, or just boxed in?
Two Very Different Experiences
Mayumi opens up about her own journey through the accounting profession, from public accounting to corporate roles, and how, at different points, she felt completely depleted. But she later realized that what she thought was burnout was often something else entirely: the sensation of feeling stuck.
She defines burnout as a physiological condition, a state of deep exhaustion where your adrenal system is overworked, your body is drained, and you are simply running on empty.
Being boxed in, however, is different.
“When you’re boxed in, you’re not physically exhausted. You’re emotionally misaligned. You’re stuck inside a system, a role, or a belief that doesn’t feel like you anymore.” — Mayumi Young
The Invisible Box
For many women in accounting, especially moms, the box is built slowly over time. It might be shaped by firm expectations, unspoken rules about what success should look like, or internal pressure to perform at a high level while managing it all behind the scenes. Even the most accomplished women can begin to feel trapped.
Mayumi explains that these constraints often come not just from our environment, but from within. Many of us carry stories that tell us we have to do it all, hold everything together, and never ask for help.
Why This Matters
Understanding the difference between burnout and being boxed in is not just a subtle shift in language. It can lead to a different solution. Burnout may require rest, recovery, and physical support. Being boxed in calls for deeper reflection, a reimagining of your environment, and often, a bold new decision.
This episode offers an empowering reframe: what if you’re not burned out? What if you’re just ready for a change?
A Message to Every Overwhelmed Woman
If you’ve been feeling drained and unsure why, this conversation is for you. You don’t have to keep pushing through. There is strength in pausing to ask, “What do I actually need right now?”
This episode is your reminder that you are not alone, and you have options. Sometimes clarity starts with a conversation like this one.