You miss one deadline and suddenly wonder if you should even be a lawyer. You pull back from one volunteer role and spiral into guilt.

You either have it together—or you’re falling apart. That’s not just pressure. That’s black-and-white thinking—and it’s one of the most common burnout drivers I see in women attorneys.

In this episode, we break down how all-or-nothing thinking shows up in legal culture—and why it’s so exhausting, even when you’re “doing everything right.” If you’ve ever felt like there’s no middle ground, no grace, and no room to be human in your legal career, this one’s for you.

You’ll learn:

• Why law trains us to think in extremes—and how it affects your nervous system
• How black-and-white thinking drives overwork, resentment, and burnout
• Real-world examples across different roles: from solo firms to BigLaw to in-house
• The subtle ways this mindset impacts your confidence, boundaries, and rest
• Six ways to shift out of all-or-nothing mode—without lowering your standards

We’ll also explore:

• The link between binary thinking and internalized shame
• Why women lawyers, especially those from marginalized identities, are even more vulnerable to this pattern
• How to start loosening the grip of perfectionism, even when the culture hasn’t changed yet

This episode is part of a larger conversation about mindset, burnout recovery, and rewriting the rules of what it means to be “enough” in law. If you’re caught in the swing between “I’ve got this” and “I’m a fraud,” this episode will help you name the pattern—and begin to break it.

Want more support?

• Access Your Burnout Recovery AI Assistant: https://www.heathermillscoaching.com/AIAssistant
• Book a free 20-minute call to talk about your burnout challenges. www.heathermillscoaching.com
• Follow me on Instagram and LinkedIn for regular tips and support

Full Show Notes, Episode Transcript, Plus More Resources for Women in Law:

07 How Black-and-White Thinking Fuels Burnout in Women Lawyers
https://www.heathermillscoaching.com/blog/07-how-black-and-white-thinking-fuels-burnout-in-women-lawyers

Is it the job or the system?

This episode unpacks the six external causes of lawyer burnout—from impossible workloads and lack of control to toxic workplace dynamics and values conflicts. If you’ve ever wondered why “self-care” doesn’t work, or why setting boundaries feels pointless in your firm’s culture, this episode is for you.

We’ll break down how burnout isn’t just about your mindset or internal habits—it’s also about the structural realities of working in law. The legal profession is a pressure cooker, and even the most resilient, self-aware women lawyers can burn out under the constant demands, double standards, and emotional labor the system demands. Today, we’ll name what’s not your fault—and what you can do to start reclaiming your energy and agency.

You’ll learn:

• The six proven external drivers of burnout—and how they show up in the legal profession (based on Maslach’s research)

• Why even the best internal tools won’t help if the system keeps stacking the deck against you

• How lack of control, minimal recognition, and toxic cultures create chronic stress for women in law

• Small, meaningful ways to shift your experience—even if you can’t quit or overhaul your job right now

• How to stop blaming yourself for what’s broken—and start making choices from clarity, not guilt

If you’ve been trying to meditate your way out of a toxic workplace, this episode will validate what you’ve suspected all along: burnout isn’t just in your head. And no, it’s not because you’re not trying hard enough. It’s because the system wasn’t built with your well-being in mind.

Listen now to get clarity on how the external side of burnout is impacting you—and how you can start to take your power back, even if nothing around you changes (yet).

This is Part 2 of a two-part series on burnout causes. If you missed Part 1 on internal burnout, listen to Episode 5 before or after this one for the full picture:

05 Is It You or the Job? The Real Internal Causes of Lawyer Burnout
www.heathermillscoaching.com/blog/05-the-internal-causes-of-lawyer-burnout

Take the quiz:
How Burned Out Are You, Really? A Quiz For Women Lawyers
https://www.heathermillscoaching.com/quiz
You’ll need to subscribe to get your results, but you can unsubscribe any time—no guilt, just real insight.

Want more support?
🔹 Book a free 20-minute call to talk about your burnout challenges: www.heathermillscoaching.com
🔹 Download the free guide: 7 Reasons You’re Not Burned Out and Are Totally Fine, You Swear
🔹 Follow Heather on Instagram and LinkedIn for regular tips and support

Full Show Notes, Episode Transcript, Plus More Resources for Women in Law:
06 Is it the Job or the System? The Real External Causes of Lawyer Burnout
www.heathermillscoaching.com/blog/06-the-external-causes-of-lawyer-burnout

Related Podcast Episode:
05 Is It You or the Job? The Real Internal Causes of Lawyer Burnout
www.heathermillscoaching.com/blog/05-the-internal-causes-of-lawyer-burnout

Is it you—or is it the job?

Discover the real internal causes of lawyer burnout, from perfectionism and self-criticism to the hidden mindset traps that keep women attorneys stuck. If you’re exhausted from trying to “fix” yourself while still feeling like you’re never enough, this episode is for you.

We’ll break down how burnout isn’t just about long hours or a heavy caseload—it’s about the relentless mental patterns and beliefs you’ve absorbed from years in law and a lifetime of being told you have to prove your worth. I’ll show you why your inner critic is so loud, how perfectionism and people-pleasing fuel exhaustion, and what you can actually do to start feeling better—without quitting your job or sacrificing your ambition.

You’ll learn:

• Why high-achieving women lawyers are especially vulnerable to burnout—even when they “do everything right”
• How internalized beliefs about productivity, self-worth, and success keep you stuck in the burnout cycle
• The role of perfectionism, people-pleasing, and self-criticism in draining your energy and confidence
• Practical, science-backed strategies to shift your mindset, turn down your stress response, and reclaim your sense of agency
• Why burnout is NOT your fault—and how to stop blaming yourself for feeling this way

If you’re tired of wondering if burnout is just “part of the job,” this episode unpacks why so many women lawyers blame themselves for exhaustion—and why the real culprit is often the relentless inner critic and impossible standards we’ve been taught to chase. Get ready to challenge the stories you’ve absorbed about what it takes to be “good enough” in law.

Listen now to start breaking free from the internal patterns that keep you stuck in burnout—and take the first step toward a legal career that actually feels good to live in, not just impressive on paper.

Take the quiz:

How Burned Out Are You, Really? A Quiz For Women Lawyers

https://www.heathermillscoaching.com/quiz

You’ll need to subscribe to get your results, but you can unsubscribe any time—no guilt, just real insight.

Want more support?

• Book a free 20-minute call to talk about your burnout challenges. www.heathermillscoaching.com
• Download my free guide: 7 Reasons You’re Not Burned Out and Are Totally Fine, You Swear
• Follow me on Instagram and LinkedIn for regular tips and support

Full Show Notes, Episode Transcript, Plus More Resources for Women in Law:

05 Is It You or the Job? The Real Internal Causes of Lawyer Burnout

www.heathermillscoaching.com/blog/05-the-internal-causes-of-lawyer-burnout

Related Podcast Episode:

03 How to Stop Feeling Responsible for Everyone and Everything https://www.heathermillscoaching.com/blog/03-how-to-stop-feeling-responsible-for-everything-and-everyone