Bye Bye Burnout
I have never known a moment of rest that was actually restful. I am always burning my candle at both ends and yet somehow I am always surprised when it burns out. I do not know how to sit still and enjoy the moment, I am too concerned with the “What next?” so you would think that after a year of surgery and chemo recoveries I would’ve learned how to relax, right? Wrong.
I remember being determined to not let chemo win so I scheduled an open house for my clothing boutique the day after my first treatment. I spent surgery recovery time studying for my real estate license. I chatted with customers and clients in a hospital bed more times than I can count.
Needless to say, after not taking the break I so desperately needed I am burning out. I have been putting my burn out on the back burner an now it’s turning into a full blown breakdown. Asking for help isn’t something I specialize in and it is a big hit to my pride. My sweet friends are disguising their attempts to tell me to chill out with spa day suggestions and moms night out dinner requests but my stubborn head can’t stop going.
Burnout doesn’t always look like a venti coffee and sleepy eyes or messy hair and disheveled clothes. Burnout wears on us all differently and it’s something we have all experienced. That being said, why is it so hard for us to raise our hands and ask for help? Burnout isn’t a shameful thing or something people look down on. You experience this hollow going through the motions style living when you don’t give yourself a break.
Give yourself a break. Ask Grandma to watch the kids for an hour. Shampoo your hair twice without thinking the baby could wake up in that extra thirty seconds. Take a bath. Go on a walk. Do something that isn’t work, cleaning up someone’s mess, looking at your schedule, or answering that message you keep pretending like you don’t see. Ask someone to help you get that task done or a deadline extension. Communicate your needs! Let people know when you are overwhelmed or struggling. Don’t let yourself get to burnout mode if you can.
One thing I have taken away from this whole cancer situation is that people really are good people. I have had some incredible connections with complete strangers trying to help my family during this crazy time. People want to help people, let them! Let’s get out of the normalcy of burnout and normalize asking for a break.
Comment your favorite burnout prevention tip!