RECOGNISE
Understand burnout and see where you are without shame
RECOGNISE is the first phase of the Where I'm At Framework. For you if: you are burned out, close to it, or asking: How did I get here?
You'll get clearer language for burnout, gentle reflection tools, and a calmer way to notice patterns, depletion, and what may need attention next, at your own pace.
Join freePrivacy-first · Peer support · Not therapy
Is RECOGNISE right for you?
If you are running on empty… if you are functioning on the outside but struggling underneath… if you feel wired, flat, foggy, or ashamed… if you want language for what is happening, this is where to begin.
You can go slowly. One module at a time.
Not sure if this is where you are? The free Burnout Signals Check-In is a short reflection to help you notice what is showing up. No score, and nothing is saved.
There is also a free Recognise Check-In wheel: rate six areas by how resourced you feel today and see the shape of it. Nothing is stored or sent.
What you will get
- Clearer language without shame
- Gentle tools to map your current state
- A softer route when things feel heavy
- More awareness of patterns, limits, and support needs
Course snapshot
01Module 0: Welcome to Recognise
A calm introduction to RECOGNISE and where it fits inside the Where I'm At Framework, plus a gentle arrival check-in.
02Module 1: Understanding Burnout
A human, non-clinical introduction to burnout: what it is, what it is not, and why it is hard to see clearly from the inside. We walk through stress versus burnout, the early signs, and what tends to drive it. Includes an honest look at where burnout and depression can look alike, and when it is worth speaking to a professional.
03Module 2: Burnout Signals Check-In (non-diagnostic)
Sixteen signals across four areas, marked rarely, sometimes or often. Nothing is scored and nothing is added up. You read your own answers and name what feels loudest yourself. For anyone who wants a validated research instrument, we point to the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory.
04Module 3: My Burnout Story
My lived experience of burnout, shared as a mirror rather than a template, plus prompts to notice any echoes in your own story. This module goes deeper than the others, so grounding options and support signposts sit alongside every reflection.
05Module 4: What Burnout May Be Showing You
A reflection on what burnout may be bringing into view: patterns, costs, needs, or truths that are becoming harder to ignore.
06Module 5: Where I'm At Wheel (Recognise Check-In)
A kind snapshot across six areas of life, helping you notice what feels supported, what feels stretched, and what feels loudest today. The areas change on purpose as you move through the framework, so the Recognise version asks different questions from the ones you will meet later.
07Module 6: The Come Down Phase · Safety checkpoint
A gentler decompression stage: reduce stimulation, soften urgency, and create more space before moving into RESET.
08Module 7: Looking Toward Reset
A calm bridge from awareness to steadier rebuilding, noticing what feels clearer now and what you want to carry forward.
09Module 8: The Support Module · Safety checkpoint
A practical support map to help you think about people, professionals, and realistic next steps outside the platform, including named crisis lines if you ever need them.
How to use RECOGNISE
Suggested pace (no rush)
Try 1 module every 1–2 weeks, or slower. Repeat what helps.
Low-capacity rules
One word counts. One sentence counts. Reading counts. You do not need to post or complete everything.
If you feel overwhelmed
Start with Module 6 (Come Down) and Module 8 (Support). If you feel unsafe, seek professional or emergency support.
Where to post (if you want community support)
Day-to-day check-ins: Community Hub. Course questions: RECOGNISE Q&A. Reflections are always optional.
What you need / how to prepare
You do not need prior knowledge. You only need:
- A willingness to go gently
- A notebook, if that helps
- Permission to pause, skip, or come back later
- Willingness to reflect at your own pace
If you are currently overwhelmed or struggling to cope, start with Module 6: The Come Down Phase and Module 8: The Support Module.
What this framework is grounded in
The Where I'm At Framework comes from lived experience, not clinical practice. It was built from one person's documented burnout and recovery, and from the language of this community, which is why it sounds like everyday life rather than a textbook.
It is deliberately not clinical: there are no stages to pass, no scores, and no diagnosis. Where research informs it, the sources are named on the page. It is education and peer support, designed to sit alongside professional care, never to replace it.
What this course is not (important)
RECOGNISE is not:
- therapy, coaching, or crisis support
- a substitute for medical or psychiatric care
- a diagnosis, treatment plan, or clinical assessment
- a place for anyone to tell you what medication to take, stop, or change
- medical, psychiatric, nutritional, legal, financial, or employment advice
We share lived experience and educational tools only. If you need personalised support, please contact a qualified professional in your country.
Who this course may not be for
RECOGNISE may not be the best fit right now if:
- you feel unsafe or unable to cope right now, and need urgent support rather than reflection
- you need urgent clinical or crisis support
- you are looking for 1:1 coaching or personalised treatment advice
- reflection on burnout feels too activating right now and you need a softer safety route first
If that is the case, please use local emergency or crisis services, and start with the gentler safety options where relevant.
Before you start, please review: Community Guidelines · Terms & Conditions · Privacy Policy · Reporting & Moderation
Start RECOGNISE when you are ready
You do not have to do it all at once. You just have to begin gently.
Join freeNot sure a course is the right place to start? The Community Hub is the quieter room: no modules, no schedule, and no pressure to show up any particular way.