5 Blessings Emerging from Embracing Burnout

You’ve been there before…”burned out”.  Loved ones might warn, “you shouldn’t do so much” or “you should get to bed earlier”, etc. yet no matter what people say, you keep moving forward focused on your agenda but then it hits you like a ton of bricks and you can’t take another step and you just want to fall to the floor and sleep there for a very long time.  I’m in that place right now so it was very timely to read Fairy Godmother Danielle LaPorte’s recent post about Embracing Burnout. One of the reasons I love Danielle and the Startup Princess community is because we sisters have a lot in common, it’s called PASSION. If anything is depressing to me it’s seeing someone with a ton of potential wasting their opportunities to share, learn and give. Apathetic people don’t burn out and they don’t write posts at 11:39pm on a Friday night (you know who you are, I can’t be the only one…right)?

This past month has been a blur. I’m not sure if it was driving to Vegas alone for Blogworld, going to bed at insanely ridiculous hours, our family trip to Disneyland, hosting a Japanese exchange student for the past week, getting new landscaping done, planning/executing Startup Princess events, doing the Studio 5 segment, launching my coaching program, or homeschooling my 3 kids that has pushed me over the edge but I’m there. That said I’m happy for all of the opportunities that came my way and there isn’t much that I would have done differently. In fact, when I reflect on the schedule I’m quite positive that I was extra blessed to get through all of it without getting sick (or any of my family members).  Now that the nutty season is nearly over I’m feeling compelled to slowdown and I’m not resisting. This time I’m trying to embrace burnout and learn from the gifts it has to offer me rather than just hide under my sheets and take long baths (although there’s nothing wrong with pajama days once and awhile and I fully intend to have one soon).

Here’s my results of  embracing burnout …and the blessings I see emerging:

1. I’m humbled and broken so I’m in a better place for listening to God’s will.

2. My weaknesses are being magnified so it’s a perfect time to reflect and see what patterns repeat themselves so I can find more support and get better organized – I’m looking at systems that need to be in place in all areas of my life and the people who can assist me in moving them forward. For example, in the last week we hired talented and trusty Nate Bagley to be our new Blog Manager which is such a weight off my shoulders and I’m grateful for his enthusiasm which is recharging mine.

3. I’m learning to set stronger boundaries and offer creative solutions when people want more of me than I can give (yes, I’d love to do a Skype conference call with your group but I cannot drive 2 hrs to speak at your event).

4. I’m refocusing on nutrition and exercise because I know how energized I feel when I’m on track in these areas.

5. I’m hungry for emotional and spiritual nourishment and I’m giving myself permission to spend time on refueling in this way instead of saying “I’m too busy”.  As a result I’m surrounding myself with uplifting quotes, made a new vision board, reading more scripture, journaling,  stretching, listening to great music, taking time to talk with friends, spending time in nature and trying to keep close to home with my family.

What do you do when you’re “burned out” to recharge yourself?