Burnout can look different for everyone. My burnout came in the form of intense fatigue, I would often joke with friends and family that I felt terminally tired but I truly was.
I was the type of tired a great night’s sleep cannot resolve but somehow I just kept pushing through. I wore exhaustion like a badge of honour and told myself that someone I was winning because despite all odds I kept going.
I kept going until I couldn’t. I was both physically and mentally drained and I realised that nothing could save me but rest.
Burnout forced me to slow down and reminded me that I was only human and did have a breaking point. As with all traumatic experience, I learnt lessons I wouldn’t have learnt any other way.
- Your body will eventually tell you what you refuse to acknowledge
We often ignore the signs because we don’t have time to deal with them. The constant tiredness, the lack of motivation, the overall lack of energy or interest or just feeling like you are in prolonged survival mode.
It can and will eventually affect your health , for me it started as minor doctor visits and eventually stress induced high blood pressure. Luckily for me , when it started to affect my health, I knew I had to go.
Your body notices when you’re running on fumes. So listen to your body, we don’t always need to push through.
2. You cannot pour from an empty cup
I know it’s cliche, but it’s true.
You can love your job or love people and still need to take a step back.
You can have great work ethic and be a great employee but still maintaine bondaries and enforce a healthy work life balance.
Needing rest does not equate to a lack of ambition. It allows you to show up as the best version of yourself.
3. Rest is a necessity not a reward
I used to believe I could rest once everything was finished , but if you work or have worked in a corporate environment you know it never is finished.
There is always another task , another deadline, another meeting that could have been an email.
Rest isn’t a reward for reaching the end of your to do list. Rest life self care should be prioritized. Rest is how you continue to meet said obligations.
If you’re reading this and you can relate this is your sign to slow down and find ways to take care of yourself.
I don’t think I would have chosen to have experienced burnout, but as with bitter experiences I learnt some lessons and I appreciate that aspect of it.
It taught me to slow down
It taught me to listen to my body.
It taught me to protect my energy
It taught me to recognise exhaustion
It taught when and when not to “push through”
It taught me that I don’t have to overwork myself to prove that I am capable.
If you’re reading this, and you can relate let this be your sign to take a break, You may need it more than you realise.