In this solo episode of Midlife Reclaimed, psychologist and author Shannon A. Swales gently explores one of the quiet but powerful drivers of burnout in midlife women: the weight of “shoulds.” Those internalised expectations — I should be coping better… I shouldn’t need this much rest… I should be able to do it all — often sit beneath chronic stress, exhaustion, and self-criticism. And yet, they’re rarely questioned.

In this reflective conversation, Shannon unpacks:

• What “shoulds” really are (and how they differ from values)
• Why they tend to intensify in midlife
• How they keep us overextended and disconnected from our limits
• Why rest alone doesn’t resolve burnout if the internal pressure remains
• How to begin softening expectations with compassion — without guilt, selfishness, or giving up on what matters

This episode isn’t about lowering standards or opting out of responsibility. It’s about replacing rigid rules with self-respect, discernment, and values — so you can live with more ease, sustainability, and care for yourself in midlife.

As always, this episode offers general information and reflection, not personal therapy. You’re invited to listen gently, pause when needed, and take what supports you.

Host: Shannon Swales: Clinical Psychologist, award-winning author, and midlife woman who’s walked through burnout and come out the other side. Shannon combines clinical wisdom with lived experience to support others navigating chronic stress, burnout, and big life transitions. Through gentle conversations and evidence-based insights, she helps women reconnect with themselves, reclaim their energy, and grow through what once felt like breaking points.

If you enjoy the Midlife Reclaimed Podcast, join our community:

• Midlife Reclaimed Online Community - a place to come back home to self - https://midlife-reclaimed.mn.co/

• Social Media: Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn @shannon.a.swales

• 1:1 Therapy: www.shannonaswales.com/therapy

Subscribe to my Mailing List: www.shannonaswales.com/subscribe and receive a free eJournal to assist in coming home to yourself.

Disclaimer: This podcast does not create a therapist-client relationship with Shannon A Swales. The views expressed are general & not a substitute for personalised therapy. If in distress, seek professional help. Remember—you don’t have to face your struggles alone.

Engaging with this podcast does not intend to create, nor does it create, a therapist-client relationship between you and Shannon A Swales. All views, opinions, and tips expressed by me or my guests are general in nature and not a replacement for personalised therapy. As I have done for myself, I encourage anyone experiencing distress to seek professional support. In Australia, if you are in a life-threatening emergency, please dial 000. For immediate counselling, contact Lifeline (13 11 14) or 13YARN (13 92 76) for First Nation Australians. Stay safe, and remember—you don’t have to face your struggles alone.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this powerful and deeply human conversation, Shannon is joined by lived-experience guest Michelle Stalimeros, who shares her journey through burnout, midlife upheaval, and personal transformation.

Michelle reflects on the early patterns that shaped her drive, years of striving in high-pressure corporate roles, and the subtle signs of burnout she missed along the way. She speaks openly about the coping strategies that kept her going—like binge drinking and over-functioning—and the moment everything finally caught up with her.

Together, Shannon and Michelle explore:

• The quiet “whispers” of burnout we often overlook
• How perimenopause can intensify exhaustion and emotional overwhelm
• Why so many midlife women lose themselves without realising
• The turning points that led Michelle toward recovery
• Stopping alcohol, facing long-buried emotions, and finding clarity
• The identity void burnout creates—and the surprising gifts on the other side
• How Michelle now supports others through Nostos Nest, helping people and workplaces become more psychologically safe and human-centred

This episode is an anchor for anyone feeling stretched thin, disconnected, or unsure how they reached burnout. Michelle’s story offers both compassion and hope—a reminder that recovery is possible, and often becomes a profound homecoming to yourself.

Guest: Michelle Stalimeros is in her mid-50s and describes herself as “on the other side of burnout.” She has navigated major life changes including sobriety, menopause, redundancy, and redefining success. Before creating Nostos Nest, Michelle spent 14+ years at Salesforce in leadership and operational roles and became a passionate mental-health advocate—co-founding a global mental-health group and becoming a licensed Mental Health First Aid instructor. She is a two-time global recognition award recipient for her impact. Nostos Nest is her next chapter: a space where she blends strategy, lived experience, and humanity to help others create meaningful change.

Website: https://nostosnest.com/

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-stalimeros-3972794/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nostosnest/

Host: Shannon Swales: Clinical Psychologist, award-winning author, and midlife woman who’s walked through burnout and come out the other side. Shannon combines clinical wisdom with lived experience to support others navigating chronic stress, burnout, and big life transitions. Through gentle conversations and evidence-based insights, she helps women reconnect with themselves, reclaim their energy, and grow through what once felt like breaking points.

If you enjoy the Midlife Reclaimed Podcast, join our community:

• Midlife Reclaimed Online Community - a place to come back home to self - https://midlife-reclaimed.mn.co/

• Social Media: Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn @shannon.a.swales

• 1:1 Therapy: www.shannonaswales.com/therapy

Subscribe to my Mailing List: www.shannonaswales.com/subscribe and receive a free eJournal to assist in coming back to yourself.

Disclaimer: This podcast does not create a therapist-client relationship with Shannon A Swales. The views expressed are general & not a substitute for personalised therapy. If in distress, seek professional help. Remember—you don’t have to face your struggles alone.

Engaging with this podcast does not intend to create, nor does it create, a therapist-client relationship between you and Shannon A Swales. All views, opinions, and tips expressed by me or my guests are general in nature and not a replacement for personalised therapy. As I have done for myself, I encourage anyone experiencing distress to seek professional support. In Australia, if you are in a life-threatening emergency, please dial 000. For immediate counselling, contact Lifeline (13 11 14) or 13YARN (13 92 76) for First Nation Australians. Stay safe, and remember—you don’t have to face your struggles alone.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feeling constantly exhausted, overwhelmed, or like you’re running on empty — even after resting? In this episode of Midlife Reclaimed, Shannon A Swales explores pacing, a powerful and compassionate approach to managing your energy in midlife.

If rest is how you refill your tank, pacing is how you spend your energy — wisely, intentionally, and without slipping back into burnout mode. This episode is especially supportive for midlife women navigating burnout, perimenopause, chronic stress, or emotional overload.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

What “energy budgeting” really means and why it’s essential for burnout recovery

- Why midlife women overspend their energy due to internal “shoulds” and invisible mental load

- How to complete an energy inventory (including the hidden emotional labour you may be overlooking)

- How to identify your personal energy drains vs. energy restorers

- Simple pacing strategies to prevent burnout and reduce overwhelm

- Daily check-ins that help you stay within your energy limits

- Why pacing is not laziness — it’s sustainable wellbeing

Shannon breaks down the mindset shift required to step out of the pressure to “just keep going,” and instead move toward sustainable energy management, self-connection, and compassionate boundaries.

Who This Episode Is For

This conversation is especially supportive if you’re a midlife woman experiencing burnout, perimenopause symptoms, stress, or chronic exhaustion, or if you’re learning to regulate your nervous system after years of pushing past your limits.

Host: Shannon Swales: Clinical Psychologist, award-winning author, and midlife woman who’s walked through burnout and come out the other side. Shannon combines clinical wisdom with lived experience to support others navigating chronic stress, burnout, and big life transitions. Through gentle conversations and evidence-based insights, she helps women reconnect with themselves, reclaim their energy, and grow through what once felt like breaking points.

If you enjoy the Midlife Reclaimed Podcast, join our community:

• Midlife Reclaimed Online Community - a place to come back home to self - https://midlife-reclaimed.mn.co/

• Social Media: Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn @shannon.a.swales

• 1:1 Therapy: www.shannonaswales.com/therapy

Subscribe to my Mailing List: www.shannonaswales.com/subscribe and receive a free eJournal to assist in coming back to yourself.

Disclaimer: This podcast does not create a therapist-client relationship with Shannon A Swales. The views expressed are general & not a substitute for personalised therapy. If in distress, seek professional help. Remember—you don’t have to face your struggles alone.

Engaging with this podcast does not intend to create, nor does it create, a therapist-client relationship between you and Shannon A Swales. All views, opinions, and tips expressed by me or my guests are general in nature and not a replacement for personalised therapy. As I have done for myself, I encourage anyone experiencing distress to seek professional support. In Australia, if you are in a life-threatening emergency, please dial 000. For immediate counselling, contact Lifeline (13 11 14) or 13YARN (13 92 76) for First Nation Australians. Stay safe, and remember—you don’t have to face your struggles alone.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.