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I think first thing to remember about burn-out is that it is (unfortunately) very common, and you're not alone in feeling this way. Especially during an international pandemic, and you know...*makes wide gestures with hands at the state of the world*.
This is also impacted by being a human.
Our world praises meritocracy, and therefore we place SO much of our value and worth into our work! Because we see productivity as an achievement - a sign that we are "good enough" to deserve what we need (e.g. food, shelter, etc.)
Our world praises meritocracy, and therefore we place SO much of our value and worth into our work! Because we see productivity as an achievement - a sign that we are "good enough" to deserve what we need (e.g. food, shelter, etc.)
Which leads me to say this:
YOUR
PRODUCTIVITY
DOES
NOT
DETERMINE
YOUR
WORTH
OR
HOW
MUCH
SPACE
AND
TIME
YOU
TAKE
UP!
YOUR
PRODUCTIVITY
DOES
NOT
DETERMINE
YOUR
WORTH
OR
HOW
MUCH
SPACE
AND
TIME
YOU
TAKE
UP!
When you think about this, you may suddenly recognize that you may be over-working or pushing yourself too hard. Take a closer look at yourself:
How much caffeine are you drinking? Are you clenching your jaw (and how often do you that?). How many times have you said, "no"?
How much caffeine are you drinking? Are you clenching your jaw (and how often do you that?). How many times have you said, "no"?
Your body isn't coping. There are warning signs. You feel sick. There is no time to be with friends or family. There is so much time but so little!
So this leads me to my second point:
REST.
So this leads me to my second point:
REST.
Which sounds so simple and arbitrary, but rest is so powerful.
Treat yourself as if you were have the flu.
Rest as much as possible. Stay hydrated. Give your body good food, and your mind a good time. Do what you would need to recover from being ill.
Treat yourself gently.
Treat yourself as if you were have the flu.
Rest as much as possible. Stay hydrated. Give your body good food, and your mind a good time. Do what you would need to recover from being ill.
Treat yourself gently.
Really! Be patient and gentle with yourself!
Heck, even treat the burnout as a broken arm!
You can't throw youraelf back into the world when you are hurting, or struggling. You know it will make the injury far worse, and it will be terrible for you in the long run.
Heck, even treat the burnout as a broken arm!
You can't throw youraelf back into the world when you are hurting, or struggling. You know it will make the injury far worse, and it will be terrible for you in the long run.
Thirdly: honour your boundaries!
Say "no".
Delegate tasks.
Reduce exposure to social media.
Practice self-awareness (see what may trigger feelings of burn-out, practice mindfulness, or whatever grounds you in that moment - I like to sweep, haha!)
Say "no".
Delegate tasks.
Reduce exposure to social media.
Practice self-awareness (see what may trigger feelings of burn-out, practice mindfulness, or whatever grounds you in that moment - I like to sweep, haha!)
Lastly, and most importantly:
FIND SUPPORT.
A good friend (who works for the United Nations + founder of two international organisations) told me that support is vital to surviving this world and she would suffered permanent injury had she not reached out to others.
FIND SUPPORT.
A good friend (who works for the United Nations + founder of two international organisations) told me that support is vital to surviving this world and she would suffered permanent injury had she not reached out to others.
She said it is like running a relay.
Sometimes you have to give the baton to someone else to run ahead while you rest, and you may head to first aid to recover.
People who help you in your recovery can be a therapist, a GP, a trusted spiritual leader, sponsor, etc.
Sometimes you have to give the baton to someone else to run ahead while you rest, and you may head to first aid to recover.
People who help you in your recovery can be a therapist, a GP, a trusted spiritual leader, sponsor, etc.
Support can also be found among friends and family, and this is incredibly important. Be open with them. Tell them how they can help you during this time.
I often ask my loved ones for patience, and quiet time.
I often ask my loved ones for patience, and quiet time.
But as I have said before, and will say again: your loved ones should not become your therapist/doctor/counselor/what-have-you.
This is why I mentioned seeking a therapist, GP, etc. in the tweets above.
This is why I mentioned seeking a therapist, GP, etc. in the tweets above.
You may realise that there are other contributing factors to your burn-out!
My GP said that my iron, and vitamin B levels were dangerously low, and that is why I was exhausted all the time.
My therapist picked up that I was experiencing compassion fatigue by being a caregiver.
My GP said that my iron, and vitamin B levels were dangerously low, and that is why I was exhausted all the time.
My therapist picked up that I was experiencing compassion fatigue by being a caregiver.
Either way, support is good! Don't feel that you need to maintain some sense of pride by not reaching out.
You'll end up hurting yourself more than you can ever imagine.
You'll end up hurting yourself more than you can ever imagine.
Anyway, I hope you are able to read all of this, and thank you so much for your patience.
I hope I could offer some support to you.
I hope I could offer some support to you.
