Are Women Quietly Thinking About Quitting? Here’s What I’m Hearing Every Day
Over the past few months, a pattern has been emerging in nearly every coaching session I’ve had with corporate women, rising leaders, and ambitious professionals.
They’re saying it quietly. With pauses ....and guilt.
“I don’t know how much longer I can do this.” “Maybe I just need time off.” “I think I might be done.”
This isn’t an anomaly. It’s a trend — and it’s growing.
Why women, and why now?
Yes, it’s review season. Yes, it’s the holidays. And yes — demands at work feel heavier than ever. The pressure to be "on" all the time, is growing.
But there’s something deeper and more structural happening.
According to The Economist, 2025 marks the largest rise in the gender participation gap since the 1950s, driven by a growing number of women leaving the workforce.
Not because of a lack of ambition. Not because they “can’t hack it.” Not because they’ve changed their minds about leadership.
But because they’re navigating systems that were never designed with their lives in mind.
Women — especially mothers — are facing:
Increasing workloads with decreasing flexibility
Post-COVID erosion of hybrid options
Childcare prices no longer make sense compared to what most people earn
Pressure to remain “always available” and “always performing”
This isn’t “opting out.” It’s being squeezed, too often and too hard.
Where burnout leads: The 3 quiet exit roads I see
In my practice, women typically land in one of three places — each one a different kind of "exit," internal or external.
1. Burnout from always saying “yes”
They want boundaries, but they don’t want to disappoint. So their days stretch longer. Their weekends disappear. Their contributions become invisible as they support and elevate others.
2. Communication anxiety & presentation stress
They over-prepare for every meeting. They dread speaking up. Their voice feels shaky, flat, or uncertain — even when they know their stuff. They fear that if they don’t speak perfectly, they’ll lose credibility. Most often, they don't speak up at all.
3. A quiet pivot toward a new job — or a break
They still want meaning, challenge, and growth, but not at the cost of their health, family, or peace. So they consider new companies, new industries, or even a reset: a sabbatical, a slowdown, or a clean start.
Why this matters — for women and for organizations
When thousands of brilliant women burn out or quietly slip out of the pipeline, everyone loses.
Organizations lose thoughtful, capable women who make teams stronger, cultures healthier, and results better.
Women lose confidence, momentum, and the belief that their career can support their life — not take it over.
And here’s the truth: It doesn’t have to be this way. There are better paths forward. And women shouldn’t have to choose between ambition and wellbeing.
What I wish every woman (and every employer) understood
Burnout isn’t a personal failure. It’s often a sign the system is misaligned.
Speaking anxiety isn’t a flaw. It’s a totally human response to being under-supported, under-seen, or under-valued, internally or externally.
Considering a change doesn’t make you flaky. It makes you wise — aware of your worth and protective of your energy.
How I help: The path back to alignment, confidence & clarity
I work with women (in the power phase of their career) who feel:
Brilliant but burned out
Smart but unseen
Ready for change but unsure where to start
Together, we:
Build compassionate, powerful boundaries
Dismantle presentation anxiety and rebuild confidence
Strengthen communication so they speak with clarity, calm, and authority
Prepare for career transitions or interviews — without losing themselves
Reclaim agency over their voice, time, and direction
You do not have to choose between ambition and wellbeing. You do not have to quiet your voice to keep the peace. You do not have to navigate this moment alone.
