Let’s talk about burnout & how to overcome burnout. How do you slow down when everything gets exhausting and your body takes a toll.

At the start of the year, I deleted my website and took a step back from everything. I started to say au revoir to the world of coaching at the start of 2020, by slowly erasing videos, podcast episodes, courses, and articles. The truth is I was burnt out & needed a break from it all. Little did I know about the repercussions that would follow later.

I had been so busy working the 9-5, and creating content that I constantly felt like I was on the go, doing something. After 12 months of debilitating whether I should stop it all, I finally leaped OUT of the net. Not only was it costing me money, but time, energy, and my health. My body was talking to me and had been talking to me for a while. I’d put in a vacation request for 2 weeks, beginning at the end of that month, but my body would beat me to it.

On Sunday, August 22, 2021, I woke up sore. I had the most excruciating pain in my upper back, my legs were tired and a few hours later in the middle of a pedicure, something felt off. I had overworked, and stressed myself out silently over who knew how long! And now on a course correction and management journey.

If you’re reading this, chances are you’re leaning into the burnout phase, and eager to take a step back. You may be feeling “Ok” like I did, but there’s this sense of “something is off” that you just can’t seem to shake off.

Here are a few practical tips to end overwhelm, overwork, and embrace slowing down:

Say goodbye to being BUSY.

I have a fast-paced, ever-moving position in my 9-5, and there were some days when I felt like I could go mad. Additionally, my type-A nature tends to desire completion of my tasks list as soon as possible. 

I know that is impractical and can be a detriment to my health. To combat that, I have started my week by outlining my schedule and identifying my THREE major outcomes per day.

Wouldn’t you rather productivity over busyness? Setting an intention for your week or day means that you’re not constantly looking to add things to your list of tasks but you’re focusing on high-quality outputs. Goals met are better than lines crossed.

End the glorifying act of BUSY & instead have a plan. And by a plan, I don’t mean having a TODAY LIST filled from rows 1-12 where you try to get as much out of the day as possible. Non-non; by the plan, I’m referring to having an intention for the day. What is the ONE major outcome you would like to have milestone by the end of your day “ 4 p.m”, and what mini high-quality action steps can you take to ensure that you’re focused on the result with intention? Setting an intention allows you to cut the procrastination as well as feeling like YOU HAVE to be embodying wonder woman’s armor every single day!

Doing Nothing Is OK.

Before erasing everything in 2020, I felt like it was my purpose. Therefore, I felt like I wasting time, and that I had disappointed my small audience. I felt guilty! For a minute I imagined, creating a blog again, but at what cost. Then, I discerned that I can inspire without sacrificing myself. I needed time.

I began to adopt new things, like micro gardening, walking in the evenings, doing yoga in the morning and discovering new ways to embrace healthy eating. Some days “when possible” nothing equates to sipping Aperol spritz on marina terraces, and simply doing NOTHING. A nap maybe.

Doing nothing has been given a negative association, but it’s in that time we achieve peace, experience bliss, lessen stress, and LIVE.

Slowing down curates more self-awareness, and increased self-care. It presents freedom to do the things you’ve been desiring, yet couldn’t find the time for. It supports enhancing your overall health and your mood. It’s LIVING & breathing.

If you’ve been considering it, go for it.

Recognize that giving value does not mean sacrificing YOU.

Stepping away from the constant scrolling and the need to be part of the conversation does not MAKE THE QUALITY OF YOUR WORK NOR YOUR LIFE ANY LESS VALUABLE!! If you notice that you’re always in action mode, your brain is foggy from always being active, you plop down to your desk and realize that it’s 9 hrs later, and you haven’t showered nor eaten a great meal for the day…then, we have a problem. Get into the habit of mindfully creating BOUNDARIES in your personal life & your work. You can hustle but learn to leisurely hustle. It’s so much more effective and sexy!

Give Yourself Permission To Stop Being So Hard On Yourself!

Because that equals ZERO FUN!

Give yourself permission to recognize that you’re allowed to mope…but you’re also allowed to live. regardless of the chapter, you’re in. This is where the power of “a period of silence” comes into play because you’re simply connecting and observing yourself and your environment “emotionally” in order to become the master of that. In order to create & take more savvy, and empowering decisions about how to lead your life & your success. Remaining mindful and maintaining that ease is a challenge, but also an adventure.

Of course, these are just the tip of the iceberg hitting that reset button when you’re completely over it; whether in your life, career or business. When you’re sensing a quarter-life crisis coming up and the fear starts to kick into high gear. When you’re fearing oh dear….did I miss out on my life trying to please everyone else with an outside persona, there will always be a way to find your way back to that path. I believe that they fall under 4 pillars “Mindset, Attitude, Presence & Support” which can be expanded so much wider if you would love to create lasting change in your life.

Until next time. xx Menellia