Issue #76: A Realistic Approach to Moving Past Burnout When You Have To Keep Showing Up

How to begin healing from burnout when you have to keep working and showing up for all of your responsibilities.

I believe that the best way to heal and move past burnout is to stop everything that you’re doing, let go of every responsibility that you have, and spend however much time you need on rest and taking better care of yourself.

I also know how unbelievably unrealistic that is for the majority of the population. 🤷🏽‍♀️

No matter how exhausted you are, life is still happening. Bills still need to be paid, kids need to be fed, and unfortunately, the world we live in values capitalism way more than self-care, which leads to many of us continuing our toxic patterns until our bodies shut down on us. And don’t even get me started on the stress that comes with trying to afford decent health care.

When I finally decided that I was going to close down my coaching business to break the cycle of burnout, I had no clue what I was going to do next but I had to figure out something. I contribute to my household financially and I didn’t want to add any more stress to my husband. So I got a job. Would I have been able to heal a lot faster had I had the opportunity to do nothing all day? Sure, but that wasn’t my story and you may not have that luxury either.

So how do we realistically begin to heal from burnout when we have no other choice but to keep showing up every day?

ADJUST YOUR EXPECTATIONS

There is a huge difference between HOW we need to show up and how we THINK we’re supposed to show up. If you’re in a season where you constantly feel like you’re pushing past your capacity, it’s time to let your inner overachiever go and scale back a bit. Instead of trying to complete every task and show up perfectly, try aiming for B- quality. It may not be your best work but it’s still good work and it’s relieving a lot of pressure off of you.

RAMP UP YOUR BOUNDARIES

Now is the time to unblur the lines between work and rest. Get clear on what you need in this season and set solid boundaries around your coworkers, your clients, and your family and friends. Again, this isn’t the season to go above and beyond for everyone else.

If you need help setting and maintaining boundaries, the Foundations of Balance workbook has an entire exercise to help you begin making these changes without feeling guilty about it!

DELEGATE WHERE POSSIBLE

Delegation, especially within your business can be expensive. So what other ways can you ask for help that may not cost a ton? Can you ask a family member to entertain your kids for an hour while you nap? Can you order pizza for dinner instead of spending time cooking? What can you give to someone else in order to take the stress of making another decision off of you?

FOCUS ON WHAT YOU CAN CONTROL

What aspects of your work or life do you have control over? Focus your energy on those areas and let go of the things that are beyond your control. I know that you think you can, but you can’t do everything. At least not without sacrificing your own mental health.

SHIFT THE WAY YOU DO BUSINESS

Again, you have more control than you think. If the way you’re serving your clients is leaving you feeling depleted and unhappy, how can you continue to serve them while not sacrificing your sanity? Think about the aspects of your business that seem to be causing more harm than good and create a plan for how to gradually make small changes.

TAKE THE BREAK

Use your PTO, take the nap, cancel the plans, and get the rest that you need. You have more control over your schedule than you think. So where can you fit in time for you? Even if it’s just one hour a day.

SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP

If burnout is severely impacting your mental health and well-being, don't hesitate to seek support from a trained professional like a therapist. Professional help can provide you with personalized coping strategies and tools to help you navigate burnout more effectively.

Keep in mind that healing from burnout is a journey BUT nothing changes if nothing changes. By making small changes every day you can begin to gradually move past burnout and gain a sense of balance back into your life.

What changes are you making to begin pushing past burnout?

Cheers to a restful week!

– Alisha

GOOD FINDS

🎧 Luvvie Ajayi Jones just released a new season of her Professional Troublemaker Podcast! This season she is digging into the weeds of what it’s really like to run a successful business. Start with this episode!

🧠 Americans are becoming increasingly concerned about their mental health. How much does social media play a role in those worries? – Fortune Well

👰🏾 A few tips on how to save money during wedding season – including not going at all. - The Everygirl

🐟 What to cook when you don’t feel like cooking? This 30-minute honey gochujang glazed salmon and broccoli bowl is on my list! – What To Cook When You Don’t Feel Like Cooking

ICYMI

DON’T FORGET TO BREATHE