We all know we should “balance” but what does that mean? For some it’s taking on your to do list but also leaving room for rest and restoration! How often can we say that we rest as often as we should? Maybe it’s just me but I surely can’t! It’s always about go go go!
Priorities
I’ve learned when I’m in a good head space, slept good the night before and determined to prioritize. We need all of those things to walk in this life. Prioritizing what’s important matters! Sometimes we do so many mundane things than leave no energy to do what’s important.
Burnout
So now that we have given our energy to that which won’t help us in the long run we race against time to complete tasks. You know that mindless scrolling we do or the phone calls that last too long. Burnout is when we haven’t taken time for ourselves or set our priorities straight. Usually when you have given to all kinds of people and things and with lack of rest you can’t move or add anything else to your plate!
Signs of Burnout
- Irritability and quickly agitated
- Unable to do your work or the things you love
- Difficulty concentrating
- Sleep patterns interrupted
- Sicknesses such as frequent headaches and stomach aches
- Increase alcohol or caffeine intake
Think of burnout like a flame. It starts out really hot and by the time the flame is about to go out, there’s very little energy coming from it and finally the flame goes out.
Burnout vs. Loss of Interest
So many people think that they have lost their “fire” for their passions when in reality you may need a rest and a reset. Do you know how many times people have given up on something thinking that it was a loss of interest but they failed to rest before they took on a new project? A lot. We aren’t designed to work 24 hours a day with no break! We are designed to work hard, rest, and do some more!
Balancing Act Fails
One of the biggest fails we have is not outsourcing. I did this for quite some time. You don’t have to be a martyr. It’s okay to create, work hard, and outsource. It doesn’t make you a failure to allow someone to help. Accepting help is the second biggest failure. Someone asks you do you NEED help and you’re too quick to brush them off. We know you can do all things but you might not be able to do all things well. You may not be able to do all things well if you’re burned out. When I see that content becomes a struggle, I’ve been missing my routine, I’m not taking care of myself-I’m usually in the midst of an a mental trigger or burnout! It’s okay to receive the help you need. You will burnout super fast by not accepting help.
Mental Health and Burnout are Married
If you’re experiencing a mental health trigger you are also going to feel the affects of being burned out quickly. It’s more than going to take a nap. Burnout is a deep sunken in feeling that disengages you with others around you. Stepping away from social media, saying no to an upcoming project, are all ways you can recognize your issues and move forward! Taking breaks is important! I take weekends off at a time by doing my content early giving me more me and family time. I also step away even if it’s going to my room after a long shower and doing a facial or watching my favorite movie with the door shut!
Stop
Sometimes simply stopping without guilt is a way to combat burnout! You can be on go so much you miss important details. You are neglecting your own personal needs. In some of the groups I’m in people discuss sometimes not even realizing that they didn’t shower for days being in a “zone!” This can be dangerous-not the shower but definitely zoning out. You can be pushing yourself to an unhealthy way of accomplishing goals!
So take a step back.
Recognize you need to recharge.
Get out of the zone.
Say no.
Recharge.
