My Personal Burnout Story 

When COVID hit, I experienced one of the worst phases of burnout in my career. Like many hygienists, returning to work after the shutdown felt overwhelming. The landscape of dentistry had changed drastically—layers of PPE, heightened patient anxiety, and a new, exhausting workflow. 

But it wasn’t just the pandemic that was weighing on me. I realized that I no longer felt aligned with my current office. I dreaded my days, felt disconnected from my profession, and struggled to find purpose in my work.

I threw myself into certifications—yoga, meditation, breathwork, personal training, fitness nutrition—thinking it would help me find my passion again. Instead, I just burned myself out even more.

By the fall of 2021, I had reached my breaking point. Feeling lost but knowing I couldn’t continue in an environment that no longer supported me, I made a lateral move that was an even worse fit for me. After just two weeks, I quit my job without a plan. 

That decision, while terrifying, was my turning point. Through meditation, breathwork, and daily affirmations, I slowly began to rebuild my sense of self. And as I started temping, I found an office that changed everything—a practice where I felt valued, supported, and aligned. I finally realized that the burnout I had been experiencing was misalignment burnout: I was working in the wrong place.

What Is Misalignment Burnout? 

There are many forms of burnout and it isn’t always just from being overworked. It can come from feeling out of sync with your workplace culture, values, or expectations. When you’re in an environment that doesn’t align with your needs, it drains you emotionally, mentally, and physically.

Common causes of misalignment burnout in dental hygiene:

• Toxic Work Culture: Gossip, lack of support, and negativity can make work unbearable.
• Mismatch in Values: If patient care, ethics, or workflow expectations don’t align with your personal standards, frustration builds.
• Feeling Undervalued: Lack of appreciation, low pay, or unrealistic production goals can lead to resentment and fatigue.
• Physical Strain Without Support: If ergonomics and wellness aren’t prioritized, pain and discomfort compound the stress.

Signs You’re Experiencing Misalignment Burnout

• Dreading Work Every Day: More than just a bad week—an ongoing, deep resistance to your job.
• Emotional Exhaustion: Feeling drained, detached, or even resentful toward patients and coworkers.
• Physical Symptoms: Chronic pain, headaches, tension, or fatigue that worsens with work stress.
• Loss of Passion for Hygiene: Feeling like you’re just going through the motions rather than providing care with purpose.
• Escapist Fantasies: Constantly daydreaming about quitting, changing careers, or doing anything but hygiene. (This was a big one for me!)

How to Navigate Misalignment Burnout 

Burnout isn’t something a vacation can fix. Real recovery comes from changing how you approach both work and self-care.

1. Meditation for Clarity & Stress Relief
   Practicing mindfulness can help you manage external stressors without letting them overwhelm you. Even five minutes a day of deep breathing or guided meditation can calm your nervous system and provide clarity on your next steps. (Some of my best ideas come to me during meditation—maybe yours will too! 😊)
   
   
2. Daily Affirmations & Mantras for Mindset Shifts
   Repeating positive statements can help reframe your perspective and build resilience. Interestingly, the mind believes what you tell it—positive or negative. (I was resistant to this one, but it really works!) Some examples:
   • I deserve a workplace that values and supports me.
   • I am capable of creating a career that aligns with my well-being.
   • I am not stuck—I have options.
     
     
3. Breathwork to Regulate Stress Responses
   Breathwork exercises, like box breathing (inhaling for four counts, holding for four, exhaling for four, holding for four), can quickly reduce anxiety and improve focus, helping you manage daily stressors in the office.
   
   
4. Assessing Workplace Alignment
   If you’re experiencing misalignment burnout, ask yourself:
   • Does this office reflect my values and standards of care?
   • Do I feel respected and supported by my coworkers?
   • Is this job sustainable for my mental and physical well-being? 

If the answer is consistently “no,” it might be time to explore other opportunities.

5. Finding an Office That Fits
   Not all dental practices are the same. The right office can make all the difference. Look for workplaces that:
   • Prioritize ergonomics and hygienists’ well-being
   • Foster a positive, supportive team culture
   • Align with your patient care philosophy
   • Offer fair compensation and work-life balance

The Takeaway: You Deserve the Right Fit 

Misalignment burnout isn’t a sign of personal failure—it’s a sign that something needs to change. If you’re feeling disconnected from your work, know that you have options.

Remember that misalignment burnout is just one type of burnout—there are plenty of others that come from different challenges in our profession. Figuring out what’s really causing your burnout is the first step to making changes that actually help.

I was afraid of leaving the “good” things in my office for a long time, so I overlooked the bad. I convinced myself that staying was better than facing the unknown. 

When I made a lateral move that didn’t work out, I almost let it confirm my fear that I should have stayed put—because at least I knew what to expect. But the whole devil you know mindset can keep you stuck in a toxic environment. If I had let that fear win, I might never have found the right office.

The truth is, finding the right fit takes trial and error. You might have to kiss a few frogs before you land in a workplace that truly supports you—but don’t give up!

Through mindfulness, breathwork, and (a lot of!) self-reflection, you can navigate misalignment burnout and find a work environment where you thrive. Your career in dental hygiene should add to your life, not drain it.

Have you experienced misalignment burnout? Share your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear your story! 💙