Miranda Lambert Says She 'Reached a Pretty High Level of Burnout' Last Year: 'Have to Learn the Balance'

The country star told Bunnie Xo during an appearance on the latter's 'Dumb Blonde' podcast that it’s "really hard" to "relax into doing nothing"

Miranda Lambert CMA Fest, Day 2, Nashville, Tennessee, USA - 09 Jun 2023
Miranda Lambert performs in June 2023 in Nashville. Photo:

Tammie Arroyo/Shutterstock 

  • Miranda Lambert revealed that she "reached a pretty high level of burnout” last summer
  • While speaking with Bunnie XO on her Dumb Blonde podcast, the country star, 40, shared that she’s “starting to learn better how to balance”
  • Lambert shared that she’s trying to embrace hobbies, saying “I do love what I do for a living... but you can't love it all the time”

Miranda Lambert shared that she’s learning to slow things down after she "reached a pretty high level of burnout last summer.”

The country star, 40, told Bunnie Xo on her podcast, Dumb Blonde, “I didn't realize what it was until I was like, ‘I think this is what they call burnout’ — just from not taking a break or a long enough one.”

“Just a couple of days at a time just wasn't enough for like, the amount of busyness,” the “Alimony” singer, who wrapped up a Las Vegas residency last summer, shared. “I just feel like we have to learn the balance. It's really hard when you're so driven to relax into doing nothing. But if you don't recharge, it's like then you're only operating at 50% anyway.” 

Miranda Lambert (left); Bunnie XO
Miranda Lambert (left); Bunnie Xo.

Bunnie XO/YouTube

“You've been in the industry, what, 24 years?” Bunnie asked, adding, “That's a long time. So for you to just have reached burnout last year? You're a savage. Like, you are an animal!” 

Lambert laughed, but clarified, “It wasn't the burnout where I'm like, ‘I'm quitting forever.’ It was just one of those moments. I've had those over the years."

"Honestly, a lot of it for musicians, as you know, because you're on tour, is August, when you're doing summer tours," Lambert continued, referencing Bunnie's husband, Jelly Roll.

The singer further noted, "And so by the time August comes. I’ve been hot all year. You're playing outside. August is usually, everyone's like, ’I don't wanna tour anymore.' ” 

“But then you take a break, and you're like, ‘OK. I'm ready again,’ “ Lambert — who recently went on a vacation to Italy with husband Brendan McLoughlin — shared.

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These days, Lambert said she’s “starting to learn better how to balance” — because otherwise, it can have a negative impact on her career. 

“As a creative, if you don't let go, live your life, there's nothing to write about,” she added. “There's no fuel. You know what I mean? If you just constantly are going to the next goal.” 

Miranda Lambert at the ACM Awards on May 16, 2024
Miranda Lambert at the ACM Awards on May 16, 2024.

Jason Kempin/Getty

“I feel like from 40 to 44, you kind of, like, learn to start stopping and smelling the roses. It's like you can taste life, if that makes sense,” Bunnie said. “The little things you start to enjoy and appreciate a little bit more.” 

“And you sort of sit in it a little more,” Lambert said.

“That's the word,” Bunnie added.

“I agree at 40, you just go, ’I really just wanna go after the good s--- and not deal with any of the other noise that doesn't really matter in my life.’ And also spend my time, whether it be personal or professional, on things that really add to my life. Like, I do love what I do for a living. That's why I've done it for so long, but you can't love it all the time”

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“So it's like taking moments and also chasing hobbies and, like, doing other forms of art,” Lambert continued. “I need to just sit down. I don't paint. I'm terrible at it, but I should try. I ride horses and, like, I love that. And it's physical, and it's so good for your mind and spirit.”

“So taking time to do those things is important.” 

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