The Burnt-Out Bitch: Ditch the Perfectionism, Let Go of the Guilt, and Break the Burnout Cycle

by Gwen Taylor

Exhausted from trying to be perfect, keep the peace, and check every damn box—while pretending you’re fine?

The Burnt-Out Bitch is your unapologetic guide to saying “no,” letting go, and reclaiming your energy—without guilt. This book isn’t here to fix you. It’s here to free you. If you’ve ever felt like you’re drowning in expectations (yours or everyone else’s), this relatable, down-to-earth guide is packed with honest advice, zero fluff, and permission to finally rest.

Inside you’ll learn how
• Break the burnout cycle (without quitting your life)
• Ditch perfectionism and people-pleasing
• Set boundaries without spiraling into guilt
• Calm your chaotic mind with tools that actually work
• Reconnect with the real you—beneath the roles and routines

You’ll also hear stories from other women who’ve hit their breaking point and found a better way—and get access to a free companion workbook to help you take what you’re learning and make it real.

If your to-do list is longer than your patience… if your brain is running on 2%… if you’ve ever thought “If I let go, everything might fall apart”… this book is for you.

You don’t need another planner. You need a pause. Scroll up and click “Add to Cart” now—because burnout isn’t a personality trait, and you weren’t meant to carry it all alone.

Genres: Self Help

142 pages, Hardcover

Published July 14, 2025

Reviews

[Ntombezinhle Nzama · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel so understood! Everything im going through but fail to articulate is articulated so well. what i like most about this book is that she doesn't advocate for doing "more " to get out of burnout. I understand better what is happening and I like that. its a great read for anyone going through burnout

[Caroline Hurry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Permission to Drop the Masks and Reclaim Yourself
Gwen Taylor’s The Burnt-Out Bitch is a fierce, clear-eyed, compassionate call to arms for every woman trying to be the nicest, most competent version of herself, even if it leaves her hollow.
Drawing on a mix of workbook exercises, practical somatic tools, and raw personal stories, Taylor dismantles the cult of perfectionism with the precision of someone who’s lived every page she writes. From the first chapter, it’s clear this book is here to crack the armor you’ve built around your worth.
The tone is direct. “What if being hard on yourself is the thing keeping you stuck?”
Taylor encourages you to look at the beliefs driving your burnout: the need to earn your existence, to apologize for your needs and keep everyone else comfortable while you come undone.
I loved the “Real Talk” interludes from women who wore the masks of The Chill Girl, The Fixer, The Overachiever, until their bodies and spirits finally gave out. These stories feel like a mirror, reflecting the hidden exhaustion so many of us deny.
Practical strategies abound. Taylor offers bite-sized, actionable tools for regulating your nervous system - breathwork, weighted blankets, grounding mantras (“I’m safe,” “It’s okay to rest”) - as well as mindset shifts like replacing “Sorry for the delay” with “Thanks for your patience.” She also challenges readers to get radically curious rather than controlling: What if uncertainty isn’t failure, but freedom?
The Burnt-Out Bitch encourages you to stop believing every thought that scolds you. To ask, Would I ever say this to a friend?
If you’ve ever felt exhausted from carrying everyone else, this book is for you. Read it with a pen in hand and a willingness to get uncomfortable. You will emerge softer, clearer, and freer.

[Melanie Burzynski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I spent 2.l days reading this book. It’s not too long - and the shortened chapters are easy reads. It gets to the point: how to choose yourself over everything else. It is well formatted to give real life examples you can relate to. And even though the author specifically calls out women in their 20s and 30s, it’s for all of us (including myself - as I am in my 50s). It is a book that calls out the bullshit and tells you that it’s time to give yourself grace. It won’t happen overnight; but it can happen. If you are kind to yourself and open to making small steps - which I am. And I needed this book. I’ll be giving it to a colleague who I know would appreciate the knowledge shared by the author. Thank you!

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the bitch slap into all the yesteryear trauma I’ve been ignoring in the periphery, so thank you!

BUT… I had to mark it down a little bit, purely because I don’t think burn-out is only experienced by women. Our boys and men struggle through it too and having seen it first hand, it’s unnecessary to put a gender on emotional or mental health in general; it makes it an unwelcoming space, purely because we’re ego based beings too. Burn-out amongst all other varying mental health applies to all humans, we have to normalise our boys and men being comfortable with their emotions and mental state too. It can start with spaces that address it so well (like this book has), without it isolating it for just women / men.

Just my opinion and my take away…Otherwise, enjoyed it 🙃 have recommend it to some of my friends - both male and female.

[Julie Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Burnt Out Bitch by Gwen Taylor
Interesting to understand that you do have to take care of yourself first before you help others. You get burnt out. There are many forms of just overdoing things but the author gives you advice on what you need to do to get back on track. You must learn that you have a voice and you hae to use it, usually with the word 'no'. but your plate is overfilled already.
Practical advice when another committee wants you to volunteer your time but there's no more hours in the day to do so. Don't feel guilty your family should come first along with time for yourself each day.
Really good advice to take care of yourself.

[Charli Sparks · Rating 5 out of 5]

helpful

I was tired of always being walked on and never really knew how to say no this book was so informative. It gave me a lot of tips and strategies on how to stand my ground and be firm on my feelings. I was able to set firm boundaries and make my life More fulfilling and satisfying.

[Albert Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing Book I had to Read to the end.

I loved this book. It’s honest, funny, and so relatable for anyone running on empty. The advice is simple, practical, and gives you real permission to rest and set boundaries without feeling guilty. It feels like a friend finally telling you the truth you needed to hear. Perfect for burnout recovery.

[Brandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The burnt out bitch

This was an amazing book. I took my time on this one and read the book twice, actually. As a mom who stays home, getting burnt out is truly a thing these days. Highly recommend this book to anyone who is burnt out and about to just give up.

[Britt Porter · Rating 1 out of 5]

There was so much AI writing in this it was ridiculous. Every third sentence was “it’s not ____, it’s ____.” As in, this isn’t someone’s own thoughts and writing, it’s AI. I read about 3/4 of the book and did take away a few good nuggets, but they could all fit on one page.

[KHoopMan]

With a title like that, I knew that I had to read this book. 🤣

[Ashley M. Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve never highlighted so much in one book in my entire life. Such an insightful, encouraging, and refreshing self help book. Do yourself a favor and read this one.

[Holly Breault · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helped me understand a lot of what I experience every day. Tips for self regulating.

[Savannah Bass · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good little tidbits of advice

[Kaitlyn Brownfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was hard for me to put it down in the evenings.

[steffi Seitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book!!!

The Burnt-Out Bitch is a bold, refreshing, and empowering guide for anyone stuck in the cycle of doing too much and feeling never enough.

Gwen Taylor blends humor, honesty, and practical tools to help readers drop perfectionism, release guilt, and finally break free from burnout. It feels like getting tough love and a warm hug at the same time.
A quick, motivating read that leaves you feeling lighter, seen, and ready to reclaim your energy and boundaries.