Parental burnout and belonging: finding your way back to yourself

What if the exhaustion so many parents carry isn’t a personal failure, but a signal that something deeper needs tending? In this episode, I’m joined by Gemma Dean , life coach and founder of Reset with Gemma, and Sima Rahman , creative facilitator and founder of The Artist’s Apothecary. Together, they co-created the Mindful Parent Hub , a space where coaching meets creativity to support parents navigating burnout, identity shifts, and disconnection. “ I was just surviving… there was no joy, no happiness. I couldn’t connect with my kids.”, reflects Gemma. We explore the realities of parental burnout (what it can feel and look like), the myths that keep it hidden, and the small ways we can begin to find our way back to ourselves and to each other. This is a conversation about slowing down, asking for help, and redefining what support and belonging can look like in this season of life. 🎙️ Tune in for the full conversation! 🔎 What we explore * Why the perfect parent narrative can lead to burnout * The limits of traditional self-care and what can actually create change * What parental burnout can feel like when you’re in it, even if you don’t have the words yet * The identity shifts that come with parenthood and returning to work * Creativity as a form of healing * The role of community in moving from isolation to belonging * How small, consistent practices can reshape wellbeing over time ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please leave a rating and review! 🧩 Key reflections from the conversation We’re not failing. We’ve just taken on too much. A gentle but powerful reframe that challenges the internal narrative many parents carry. Self-care isn’t a quick fix It’s less about escaping and more about building small, repeatable habits that support you day to day. Burnout can be invisible, even to yourself You can still be functioning, caring, showing up… and feel completely disconnected underneath. You don’t have to do it alone Support isn’t a weakness. It’s often the turning point. Creativity reconnects us Not as something to be good at, but as something that helps us feel, process, and connect with others. 🌱 About the Mindful Parent Hub Gemma and Sima’s work blends coaching, creative practices, and peer support to help parents: * Move from burnout to balance * Rebuild boundaries * Reconnect with their sense of self Their workshops are designed to be accessible, community-led, and rooted in real-life parenting challenges, with space for both reflection and connection. 💬 A small step to take today If something in this episode resonated, start here: Tell one person how you’re really feeling. Not the “ I’m fine .” Just something honest. Sometimes that’s where things begin to shift. 🔗 Links & resources * Explore Gemma Dean’s work at Reset with Gemma . Follow on Instagram and LinkedIn . * Explore Sima Rahman’s work at The Artist’s Apothecary . Follow on Instagram and LinkedIn . * Read Sima’s article on living a creative life About your host Fiorenza Rossini Fiorenza started building her coaching business in 2016 while still working in investment banking. When her first child was born in 2019, she knew something had to give. Like many parents, she realised she couldn’t keep growing her career in the same way while also being the parent she wanted to be. Her priorities became clearer, and she chose to leave corporate life to focus fully on her coaching work. Today, Fiorenza supports driven professionals & leaders who are also parents of young children, who find themselves to be at a pivot point - whether that’s returning to work, stepping into leadership, or rethinking what career growth now looks like. 🔗 More about Fiorenza’s work 🔗 Fiorenza on Linkedin 🔗 Fiorenza on Instagram 🎧 Enjoyed this episode? If this conversation stayed with you, consider sharing it with another parent who might need to hear it. And if you haven’t already, you can connect with me on LinkedIn for more reflections on belonging, leadership, and navigating career and identity alongside parenthood. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit belongingproject.substack.com

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Parental burnout and belonging: finding your way back to yourself is an episode from The Belonging Project by Fiorenza Rossini.

This episode is 36:02 long.

This episode was published on May 6, 2026.

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