Burnout.

That's it. That's the post. Just kidding.

Have you ever experienced a time when you felt like you just couldn’t push yourself anymore?

You probably felt exhausted physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Almost feels like a sense of despair that creeps up on you, making it hard to stay motivated or feel fulfilled in any area of your life.
Well…this feeling is common and it’s referred to as burnout, and it can happen to anyone at any stage of their life.

I feel like the word burnout is thrown around a lot but it’s a very real type of psychological stress that exceeds your ability to cope with it.
It can occur in basically any part of your life, whether that be work, school, relationships, or personal goals.
The stress that you experience with burnout can lead to physical and emotional exhaustion, cynicism, a decreased sense of accomplishment, and even symptoms like anxiety, depression, insomnia, headaches or digestive issues (just to name a few).

The impact of burnout can be pervading and makes it challenging to concentrate on tasks, maintain healthy relationships, and even function daily. Additionally, burnout can impact your self-worth and confidence, making it harder to feel motivated towards your goals.

Photo by Anne Nygård on Unsplash

One of the reasons that burnout can be so overwhelming is that it often goes unnoticed until it becomes severe. People continue to push themselves beyond their limits, not realizing the toll it’s taking on their physical and mental health until it becomes too much to handle.
It also can be difficult to treat because it often requires significant lifestyle changes and re-evaluation of priorities which is difficult in and of itself since many people find it hard to change habits or step out of their comfort zone {more on that in an upcoming post!}.

Of course there is good news which is that there are ways to avoid burnout. The first step is recognizing the signs of it - so here are some signs that you are experiencing burnout {please note, this is from the creatives perspective but can apply to anyone}:

• LACK OF MOTIVATION - you feel unmotivated to create or you’re feeling uninspired or struggle with coming up with any new ideas

• DECREASED PRODUCTIVITY - you find that it takes you longer to complete tasks or you’re not producing as much work as you used to

• PHYSICAL/EMOTIONAL EXHAUSTION - you might feel tired all the time or have trouble sleeping {insomnia} or you begin to experience physical symptoms such as headaches or stomach problems

• NEGATIVE SELF TALK - you are overly critical of yourself or you begin to feel like you or your work isn’t good enough

• LOSS OF ENJOYMENT - you lose that spark over work that you once enjoyed doing, you may feel as though your passion for your craft has diminished or you don’t feel the same excitement like you once used to

• ISOLATION - you withdraw from social interactions and don’t have the energy to interact with other people, you begin to also feel like you have nothing to contribute

Ensure that you have enough spoons for yourself before you give them away to anyone else. Photo by Joanna Kosinska on Unsplash

Now, since we have covered some signs of burnout, let’s quickly point out ways that you can avoid it:

• TAKE BREAKS - this is essential; taking regular short breaks during the day to recharge your mind and body help keep you relaxed and focused {think walks, stretching, pet cuddles, watching a short episode of your favorite show, mini meditations, etc}

• PRACTICE SELF-CARE - constantly try to engage in things that you enjoy such as reading, meditation, exercise, journaling, etc. Take care of your physical and emotional health as well by eating and sleeping well and staying hydrated - this is a no-brainer but you would be surprised at how many people “forget” to drink water during the day

• SET BOUNDARIES - it’s really important to set clear boundaries between work and personal time, you should avoid overtime if you’re experiencing the signs of burnout as well as avoid bringing work home with you, this time is for you to disconnect and unwind

• PRIORITIZE TASKS - you need to prioritize your tasks by importance and urgency, you should learn to say no to requests that are not essential or that can be delegated to others

• GET SUPPORT - it’s important to talk to others because it can help to relieve stress and provide fresh perspectives, so talk to friends and loved ones about what you are experiencing, especially when it becomes overwhelming

• IDENTIFY YOUR SOURCE OF STRESS - really sit down and reflect on what it is that could be the source of your stress and work to eliminate them, learn to set boundaries with difficult people as well and restructure your workload {and ultimately if none of these really work than it might be time to find a new job}

Remember, taking a break and prioritizing self-care is crucial.
Taking time off from work, getting enough sleep and exercise, seeking professional help, and engaging in activities that bring you joy and relaxation can help you avoid burnout and prioritize your well-being.

So take care of yourself…and know that you’re not alone.

What are some ways that you avoid burnout or get through bouts of it? Comment below!