How to avoid burnout should be at the top of your list for self-care. I have always had the mindset to pick what I think would work and stick to it, even if it leads to burnout. I always had this self-inflicted pressure to choose and not give up, even when it inevitably drains me.
Ways my burnout affected my well-being:
- Exhaustion
- My body & immune system shut down
- Lack of boundaries
- Little to no patience
- Holding on to the past and negative behaviors
- Not giving myself the space and time I need to thrive
- Not being the best version of myself
- Taking frustrations out on others
- and many other difficulties
But here is the thing, that's what set me up for failure at the end of my career. The signs were all there for me to move on to another chapter of my life. But, unfortunately, I was too set in my ways to see it right in front of me. So I hope I can share how to avoid burnout with you.
I had a slight feeling my career was missing something but not enough to take significant action. My body was giving me signs that it was time to move on. Constantly being sick, hip problems, and sometimes I could barely move my wrist after a day of work. I would get off from working all day and have zero energy for anything.
This way of living made me sad for my children. Unfortunately, society has conditioned us to think that we should feel this way after getting off work. This type of life is not what I want my relationship with work to feel like.
Setting healthy boundaries is critical in how to avoid burnout
The Covid shutdown is when the true feelings of my job came to life. I wasn’t feeling guilty that I wasn’t working because most people had to stop working during that time. It was the first time in my life since I was 14 where I just allowed myself to embrace the moment of now. It was like I was finally free.
Here is the thing though I LOVE my clients, coworkers, bosses, and place of employment, so it was still a tough decision to move on. But, having no choice but not to work was the best thing that ever happened to me.
I knew deep down I wanted to have a career that allowed me to work when I was most productive. But, unfortunately, that is practically impossible as a hairstylist. People book months in advance and won’t wait for your most productive time. I would plan better with some cyclical planning, but it was still not what I was craving.
Another part of realizing I had to take a step back from being a hairstylist was the lack of boundaries and energy protection, leading straight to burnout. I was coming home from a long day with zero energy, and I didn’t know how to create that barrier. I would bring home the heavy energy my clients bring into my chair. Even worse than that, I would allow the energy from each client to linger on to the next. I always had this “I want to help my clients” outlook, but it turned into a “let me take on your energy” vibe. Until I stopped working, I didn’t realize how heavy that made my heart.
We all process information differently, so have grace for yourself in the process
One of the big things that have helped me learn more about myself has been Human Design. Reading my chart was mind-blowing, and I finally realized we are all built differently, and life becomes more manageable when we can honor that. It opened my eyes to how we all have different perceptions. Every person processes information differently. Our decision-making is different. We all need to take our route to get to where we want to be. Just because something works for me doesn’t mean it will work for you.
One of the learnings from my HD chart was that my emotional center is wide open. What does that mean? I easily absorb other people's energy. I have felt this my whole life but never knew how to explain or deal with it. When I walk into a room, I can feel sad, impatient, or excited about something. When a fight is happening, and I’m not involved, my nervous system still thinks I’m involved. The downside is most times, when the energy around me has an intense vibration, I can’t decipher if I am sad, angry, or hurt, or if it's someone else's energy I’m picking up.
Having this center open is where my lack of energetic hygiene isn’t in my favor. But, having this center open can be a great gift if you know how to protect yourself. I’m still learning how to protect my space while supporting someone else.
Essential steps in how to avoid burnout are to honor how you feel and listen to your body
I've dealt with social anxiety my whole life when going into crowded spaces. Even if I know all the people in the room, it can be so overwhelming. Now I know it’s because there are so many emotions in the room my nervous system goes into overdrive.
As I learn about this, I can find ways to protect my energy field before the event and even take a break to reset. An essential step I’ve learned is to honor how I feel and listen to my body. It’s taken practice, and it is a never-ending learning experience.
Ways I tune into my body for finding myself:
- Meditate/Pray
- Energy Protection
- Energy Release
- Nature
- Walking
- Taking a 5-minute timeout (no electronics during this time)
- Breathwork
- Journaling
- Ocean sounds
Check out my post on Self-Care for more ways to connect with yourself. For most of my life, I found ways to drown out all the energies and expectations (self-inflicted) by numbing myself with tv, social media, junk foods, and whatever else that took away the presence of the now.
Sitting in silence is very uncomfortable at first because all those thoughts and signs you’ve ignored will bubble to the surface. But, as you learn how to honor yourself in the process, it clarifies in a complex way that is hard to explain. Only you will be able to do this once you experience it. It’s like a breath of fresh air after being in a smoke-filled room.
I know the path I’ve been wandering on for the past year is where I’m supposed to be, and I have found myself again
My most significant ah-ha moments have been in silence. I’ve had creative breakthroughs in those moments. The path I’ve been wandering on for the past year is where I’m supposed to be. It just feels right. I feel healthy in my mind, body, and soul.
It might not make a career change for you to honor yourself. However, taking five minutes a day to feel in your body can do wonders for your nervous system. Find a hobby that brings you joy. It could be a weekend retreat to reset your bearings. Going through the mundane motions of life isn’t going to get you the satisfaction you deserve but taking the time to celebrate yourself in the best way you feel fit will.
My questions for you are, when was the last time you gave yourself the chance to sit and honor yourself? What is it that inner being wanted you to know? How can you show up for yourself? So here is how I’m honoring myself; I’m going to post what feels good to me. I am going to take it day by day and not put any expectations on what I think that should be.
I created my planner to help women plan for productivity while honoring our time for rest and finding ourselves in the process
For the last 8 months, I have been working hard on a digital planner that makes my heart sing. My goal is to inspire women to plan for productivity while honoring their time for rest. It’s been my most enormous catapult into a healthier lifestyle for mind, body & soul. I know the planner I’ve created will be as life-changing for you as it has for me. Check out The Floductivity Digital Planner and The Floductivity Retreat Planner Ebook on Etsy.
With Gratitude,
Cara