Episode Overview

Title: Burned Out, Overwhelmed, and Doing It Alone? Listen to This
Host: Katelyn Rhoades
Podcast: Call Her Creator with Katelyn Rhoades
Date: January 2, 2026
Powered by: Stan

In this episode, Katelyn addresses the invisible but heavy challenges solo creators and entrepreneurs face: burnout, overwhelm, isolation, and decision fatigue. Sharing her personal stories and actionable strategies, she offers a lifeline for anyone feeling alone as they build their business, and provides practical tips to improve productivity, manage time, set boundaries, and find connection. The conversation blends Katelyn’s signature supportive energy with step-by-step systems and real talk about the often-unspoken difficulties of the creator journey.

Key Segments & Insights

1. Social Media Update: Instagram DM Features

[03:10 - 07:40]

Katelyn opens with her regular "social media update," focusing on the latest Instagram DM improvements: message editing, pinning chats, and new chat themes.

• Pin Up to Three Chats: "I think this is genius because again, I get so many messages... having the ability to pin a message up at the top is super duper helpful." (Katelyn, 05:41)
• Editable Messages (within 15 minutes): "So if you send an angry message, you have 15 minutes to delete it. You can totally edit it." (Katelyn, 06:55)
• Read Receipts & Themes: Users now control read notifications and can customize chat colors.

Notable Quote:
"Every time [Instagram is] tweaking a feature, that means they want you to use it. So get on up in those direct messages." (Katelyn, 07:32)

2. The Hidden Struggles of Solopreneurs

[07:45 - 10:22]

Katelyn frames the central topic: the isolating nature of solo content creation, and her empathetic mission to remind listeners they are not alone.

• "You’re staring at your phone, thinking of that viral video… It sounds peaceful, right? But what we don’t realize is that can truly be a breeding ground for isolation." (Katelyn, 08:56)
• She promises actionable tips for time management, battling burnout, and navigating decision fatigue.

3. Time Management for Creators

[10:22 - 22:21]

Top Challenges & Pro Tips

Katelyn shares her personal toolkit and step-by-step methods for boosting productivity and minimizing overwhelm:

• Just Start & Avoid Over-Research:
  "You end up wasting so much time… Don’t get paralyzed by your idea. Sometimes we get paralyzed…and then nothing happens." (Katelyn, 11:53)
  If you’re stuck after 30 minutes, save your place and move on. Return later with fresh energy.

• Free Create:
  Use exercises (think “icebreaker” style tasks) to loosen creative blocks.

• Outline/Storyboard:
  Plan your content with bullet points before creating to streamline the process.

• Inspiration Tools:
  "If you're stuck, go to AnswerThePublic.com—type in a keyword, and it'll give you 50 ideas." (Katelyn, 13:57)

• Cut Distractions:
  Exit unnecessary browser tabs, focus on a single task.

• Time Blocking:
  Schedule when you handle inboxes and messages—for example, check emails at 8:00, 1:00, and optionally 4:00pm, rather than constantly interrupting your workflow.

• Productivity Tools:
  Katelyn’s stack: Google Calendar, Asana (agency/content), and Notion (for podcast). "If you're a list person, Notion's really great… you kind of check off your list." (Katelyn, 16:12)

Quick Tips:

• Batch content to save energy, especially when feeling burnt out.
• Know your own productive hours, and prioritize high-focus work in those windows.
• "Prioritize your tasks… Every morning, I look at my calendar and Asana, and put in order from importance what I need to get done first." (Katelyn, 18:17)
• Set specific goals and write them down—on a calendar, planner, or digital tool.
• Take breaks. "Go on walks, go to the gym, get out of your content creation zone for a little bit." (Katelyn, 21:11)

4. Combatting Decision Fatigue

[22:22 - 26:52]

Katelyn introduces the concept of decision fatigue: the mental exhaustion caused by countless daily choices.

• "Your brain makes thousands of decisions every single day… Of course, by the end of the day, your brain’s going to hurt." (Katelyn, 22:42)
• Lack of energy from too many decisions leads to stress and poor choices.

Remedies:

• Stick to Routines:
  One set routine for mornings, or even assign days for specific tasks (working on vs in the business).
• "Set your days and flow with that… so you’re not having to make stupid decisions all day long." (Katelyn, 24:38)

5. Overcoming Isolation

[26:55 - 31:48]

Creators often work alone, contributing to loneliness and mental fatigue.

• "The one thing creators don't talk enough about is… we write alone, we create content alone, we publish content alone." (Katelyn, 26:56)
• Simple self-care and context switches (working in cafes, human interaction) can dramatically boost mood and motivation.

Personal anecdote: Working from home led Katelyn to seek out coffee shops for mental refreshment and social connection.

• Encourage collaborations:
  "Find someone in your industry… and reach out to them in the DMs to collaborate. You could do a collaborative reel, an Instagram Live—just to get out of your funk." (Katelyn, 30:25)

6. Maintaining Work-Life Balance

[31:49 - 35:46]

Work-life balance remains a major struggle, especially for those with families.

• Strong Scope of Work:
  "Anytime a client tries to creep out of that scope… you charge for it."
• Set Working Hours:
  "My hours are typically 8 to 2. I try really hard to not check emails after 5." (Katelyn, 33:13)
• Automate Where Possible:
  Use tools like Dubsado and Stan to ensure client onboarding and emails happen without 24/7 attention.
• When boundaries are violated (e.g., late-night texts), reinforce them: "There’s just really no reason for that… It can wait till tomorrow."

7. The Power of Support Systems

[35:47 - 40:08]

A support network is vital for sustaining the path of a solo creator.

• "My husband and my children are truly my biggest fans… they also remind me, ‘Hey mama, you worked all day. Can I have some of your time?’" (Katelyn, 36:13)
• If family or close friends aren’t available, join Facebook or online groups: "It's so funny to see how many other solopreneurs are struggling with what I'm struggling with."

Action step:
Connect with virtual or real-world communities. "Go to those little mixers, network… even if you only do it once a month."

8. Self-Care, Collaboration, and Mentorship

[40:09 - End (~41:50)]

Katelyn stresses the importance of self-care, connecting with other creators, and seeking mentorship, sharing her own experiences with coaching both as a coach and a mentee.

• "Take breaks. Seek support when you need it. Remember your well-being is essential for the success of your business." (Katelyn, 41:02)
• "Mentors can actually provide really good, valuable insights for you and help you overcome challenges more effectively." (Katelyn, 41:28)
• She offers coaching calls for creators, inviting listeners to reach out via DM for support.

Memorable Quotes

• On Time Management:
  "Set your goals, put it in your Google Calendar or even just a planner. And then try to get those goals done in a timely manner." (Katelyn, 19:59)
• On Isolation:
  "Before I had an office… I was going crazy. I would be at home all day working, and then my husband would get home and I’d want to go somewhere. He had the complete opposite feeling." (Katelyn, 28:38)
• On Boundaries:
  "Do not answer your phone after hours. It can wait for the next day." (Katelyn, 34:25)
• On Support:
  "Pick someone to be your support system. Tell them they're your support system. And when you have those moments… you can then text that person, call that person and just say hey, need you to pull me off the cliff for a minute." (Katelyn, 36:56)
• On Collaboration:
  "The key is to remember you're not the only person struggling with that specific struggle." (Katelyn, 38:57)

Episode Takeaways

• You’re Not Alone: Burnout, overwhelm, and isolation are widespread among creators—talk about them, and reach out for help.
• Time is Money and Well-being: Set boundaries, prioritize time and tasks, and take frequent breaks for long-term success.
• Embrace Community: Online groups, in-person meetups, and collaborations make the journey less lonely and often more creative.
• Self-Care Is Non-negotiable: Mental and physical breaks, routines, and indulging your needs are essential for your business’s sustainability.
• Continuous Support & Mentorship: Whether through family, friends, peers, or hired coaches, everyone needs support.

Action Items from Katelyn

• Use new Instagram DM features to streamline connections.
• Try her time management system: calendar blocks, priority lists, batching.
• Reach out and collaborate with another creator.
• Set hard boundaries for work-life balance.
• Find or build your personal support system (family, friends, Facebook groups, masterminds).
• Practice regular self-care, and don’t hesitate to invest in mentoring.

Next Steps:
If this episode resonated, download and review the podcast, connect with Katelyn on Instagram (@thekatelynrhoades), or DM her to book a coaching call.