🥺 Avoiding Burnout 🥺

By: Arnica Lande

After over a year of isolation, disengaged from regular routine, social distancing as much as possible, and hiding behind masks to protect ourselves and each other, a return to what used to be is both desired and dreaded. Summer offered a glance into what was and could be in a post-pandemic society, but the state of the world took a turn as the Delta variant spread and the nation continued to open up. Many companies solidified a work-from-home status while previously postponed events were rescheduled. The millennial dream of remote work life has been achieved as a new norm, but like in any new world order, new rules are required also. According to a Microsoft study, Americans are working 10% more now than they did pre-pandemic. Whether it’s due to a downsized labor force or the ability to work wherever, whenever, and therefore more often, there seems to be a collective feeling of overwhelm right now, or dare we say, burn out? By setting boundaries, having empathy, and sorting priorities, we are better able to combat overwhelm and live our lives feeling grounded and energized.  

It may be easier said than done, but it is crucial to prioritize you and your needs first. By filling up your own cup and having empathy for yourself and all that you do, you can better support and provide for those in your life that need you. Finding moments throughout the day, be it a five-minute coffee break outside, 30 minutes for lunch that takes you away from your desk, or a 7pm Fierce45 class, making space for yourself will allow you to show up in other areas so you don’t feel completely depleted of energy at days end without having invested any of it into yourself. Never underestimate the power of stillness, either. When we spend so much of our days either on the go physically and/or mentally, pulling back and learning to be comfortable in stillness can be challenging but extremely rewarding. Whatever you do, don’t wait for the time to find you; make pockets of space in your day that allow you to move forward feeling energized and taken care of.  

Once you prioritize yourself, learn to set boundaries and be okay with saying “no”. Understanding what the most important tasks and people are in your day to day can help set limitations in your life that without might be causing stress and burnout. It's a good thing to want to help your family and grow in your career, but by saying no to things that may cause you more energy expenditure in areas less important than others, you not only save your sanity, but you empower yourself to build a sustainable lifestyle and avoid feeling overwhelmed.  

You are more important than all the tasks that fill up your days, and the only way you can show up for everything and, more importantly, everyone in your life that needs you, is by taking care of you first. It's like they say on flights, “Secure your own oxygen mask before others”. By doing this we can move from a place of stability, confidence, and grounding so that we have enough energy to be our best selves.