The ordinary things can be the worst ones to fail at. When something complicated doesn't work, you can put it down to the wrong approach. Not managing to get outside in the morning leaves nothing to blame but yourself.
Well, yes to some degree, but the whole idea of needing something or someone to blame probably needs an update too. Maybe we should focus more on showing ourselves some compassion and encouragement instead. But yes, that can often be a bit more difficult when we struggle with even seemingly ordinary things.
This was really well timed. I've had a nagging feeling that my recent tendency to put ALL things on the back burner while in a busy season, including making time for eating well and moving my body, might actually be lowering my ability to show up for the busy season.
Yes I had to change my mindset to break the pattern. Otherwise I always ended up back in the loop. It wasn’t until I changed my thinking and way of life that I started to feel good.
I find it funny how this lands right after a long weekend away at my dad's because it resonates so much. We didn't do much. Sat around the house for the most part, but the difference between doing it there versus at home was that we went for a morning hike (which physically challenged me in a way that felt great) every day, I got to sit outside, be entertained by the dogs, we ate good food and got to socialize and connect. It was remarkably restorative.
This is exactly how burnout feels. Great explanation! Learning to balance the rest, gentle learning, and to stretch yourself when you are able is something I am still learning.
Aw, that sounds like a tough experience. Our own needs and limits can definitely be frustrating at times, especially when we simply want to be the best version of ourselves for our kids. ❤️🩹
I'm a teacher. It feels like many of us are burnt-out. We "do it for the kids", which keeps me moving forward temporarily. I then realize I feel even more depleted. Finding a sustainable pace is hard. After 21 years, I'm still trying to find that balance.
This makes me think about how we rest. Sometimes the body stops, but the mind continues carrying the to-do list—and all the judgment attached to it. I’ve found that pausing to appreciate what I’ve already done helps me set down some of that invisible demand, making the rest itself more restorative.
Exactly. It seems like we often confuse physical rest with mental rest and an actual return to a state of safety and restoration for our entire body. After all, we can physically rest without really recovering from all the mental stimulation we’re exposed to throughout the day.
Thank you! Having been on this path, I couldn't agree more. Sleep is really good. But, learning to have fun, loving my dog, feeling the weather, and going to an unexpected 2am event among many other everyday blessings have helped more than I could have imagined.
Thank you for the reminder. Learning to be gentle in my effort to restore myself is easy to say and understand, and easy to forget. Today I will be gentle, I hope you will too.
Absolutely, logically understanding it is easier than actually doing it, especially when we feel like we are missing out and “should” be further ahead by now. Practice and compassion are probably the way forward. 🤍
I needed to hear this today. The part about returning to responsibility after “resting” and immediately feeling depleted made me feel so seen. I think often times I feel like I’m resting but I never truly turn the dial all the way down. I’m always doing at least a little something in order to remain “productive”.
We keep rewarding burnout as “resilience”. As if it is a virtue, and not pathology.
Yep 🫠
I needed this-perfect timing❤️
Glad it resonated 🤍
The ordinary things can be the worst ones to fail at. When something complicated doesn't work, you can put it down to the wrong approach. Not managing to get outside in the morning leaves nothing to blame but yourself.
Well, yes to some degree, but the whole idea of needing something or someone to blame probably needs an update too. Maybe we should focus more on showing ourselves some compassion and encouragement instead. But yes, that can often be a bit more difficult when we struggle with even seemingly ordinary things.
This was really well timed. I've had a nagging feeling that my recent tendency to put ALL things on the back burner while in a busy season, including making time for eating well and moving my body, might actually be lowering my ability to show up for the busy season.
Good point. Taking care of the fundamentals, like eating well and moving our bodies, is often even more important during stressful times.
Unfortunately, it’s easier to know it cognitively than to actually apply it when we’re in that busy, stressful period, right?
Yes I had to change my mindset to break the pattern. Otherwise I always ended up back in the loop. It wasn’t until I changed my thinking and way of life that I started to feel good.
Glad to hear that you could break the pattern and feel better 🤍
I find it funny how this lands right after a long weekend away at my dad's because it resonates so much. We didn't do much. Sat around the house for the most part, but the difference between doing it there versus at home was that we went for a morning hike (which physically challenged me in a way that felt great) every day, I got to sit outside, be entertained by the dogs, we ate good food and got to socialize and connect. It was remarkably restorative.
That sounds great. 🤍
This is exactly how burnout feels. Great explanation! Learning to balance the rest, gentle learning, and to stretch yourself when you are able is something I am still learning.
Exactly. Glad it resonated, Samantha 🤍
Really helpful. It made me remember a time early post-divorce.
My 9 year old son returned from his weekend with his dad. I had all weekend to rest. I felt I’d really put some things down.
But the moment my sweet son walked through the front door, a wave of exhaustion hit me. I loved him dearly, and it hurt me that I felt that way.
That was 20 years ago. We didn’t have the language for what it was—-overall burnout/depletion—-that your article normalizes.
A much better explanation of that confusing sensation that was interpreted by my earnest younger self that maybe I was a bad mother.
Aw, that sounds like a tough experience. Our own needs and limits can definitely be frustrating at times, especially when we simply want to be the best version of ourselves for our kids. ❤️🩹
I'm a teacher. It feels like many of us are burnt-out. We "do it for the kids", which keeps me moving forward temporarily. I then realize I feel even more depleted. Finding a sustainable pace is hard. After 21 years, I'm still trying to find that balance.
Yeah, that’s a tough one. It seems like you’re doing a good job of trying to find that balance, though. ❤️🩹
This makes me think about how we rest. Sometimes the body stops, but the mind continues carrying the to-do list—and all the judgment attached to it. I’ve found that pausing to appreciate what I’ve already done helps me set down some of that invisible demand, making the rest itself more restorative.
Exactly. It seems like we often confuse physical rest with mental rest and an actual return to a state of safety and restoration for our entire body. After all, we can physically rest without really recovering from all the mental stimulation we’re exposed to throughout the day.
Burnout survivor here! Being gentle with myself has been a huge part of my burnout recovery.
Yes, it seems like that’s pretty much always a big part of the recovery process, doesn’t it? 🤍
An excellent read - thank you!
Glad you liked it, Jessica 🤍
Thank you! Having been on this path, I couldn't agree more. Sleep is really good. But, learning to have fun, loving my dog, feeling the weather, and going to an unexpected 2am event among many other everyday blessings have helped more than I could have imagined.
Exactly, what looks good on paper is not always what our body needs most in the given moment. 🤍
Thank you for the reminder. Learning to be gentle in my effort to restore myself is easy to say and understand, and easy to forget. Today I will be gentle, I hope you will too.
Absolutely, logically understanding it is easier than actually doing it, especially when we feel like we are missing out and “should” be further ahead by now. Practice and compassion are probably the way forward. 🤍
I needed to hear this today. The part about returning to responsibility after “resting” and immediately feeling depleted made me feel so seen. I think often times I feel like I’m resting but I never truly turn the dial all the way down. I’m always doing at least a little something in order to remain “productive”.