A lucid, full look
Often times when I support people around burnout, they expect I will talk with them about taking breaks or scheduling a retreat. Although those efforts can counter some elements of this beyond-stressed-state, alone they are bandages and don’t apply the depth and dimension that allows people to align with their internal and external needs of sustainable living. What is absolutely essential is perhaps less obvious. If you are interested in moving towards wellbeing, it often involves examining what has been overlooked.
Conceptualize the Wholeness of Your Work
A useful first task is to look at the whole picture of your work as it exists now. When I say “work” I mean that in the broadest sense possible. Paid or not. I’m referring to anything that takes *your time and energy* to bring forth either tangible or non-tangible outcomes. In other words, what are all are the places where you use your life force energy?
Internal and external shifts…
Internally and externally, what has transitioned?
Once you consider all your responsibilities and passion-driven efforts, see if you can reflect on how it was when you began each of those endeavors. If you are attempting to work in the same way as when you first got started, it’s highly likely that needed adjustments have been neglected. Why? Because that *pow* or initial oomph that most of us feel when we begin anything is a real drive in the beginning. But it is not fuel enough for distance. The curiosity and elation of new endeavors usually morph into different energies along the way. Morphing isn’t necessarily negative, but it is something that if ignored can leave certain needs unattended. It’s almost akin to existing in a long-term romantic relationship as if you were constantly in that initial crush or falling in love phase with that person. But would you ever disregard that you feel closer to someone? Usually the flaws, endearments and familiarity of the relationship shape how we exist. Similarly, wellness related to your work will require different kinds of care through time.
I recall the first time I was hired in a job that allowed me to combine two of my passions. High on a sense of accomplishment, I had a way-out-of-touch idea that this was it for me! In my mind, I was doing what I wanted and I was just going to throw myself into each day, no problem. I thought I had all I needed to sustain my interest, creativity and internal drive for the work. Then when a struggle crept up. Remaining vibrant meant I needed to be conscious and active about my path.
masking self-care needs
Detour! Rigidity Can Mask Burnout
As I examined my surroundings, I was motivated by two observations. I noticed an almost rigid nature that seemed to settle on people who had been doing the same things for extended time and neglected to nurture themselves along the way. Inflexibility was not the way I wanted to enact self preservation. Moreover, I saw that some people seemed to ripen with more patience, attention, focus and joy as they aged and grew in their life endeavors. How and why does that happen, because that’s what I aspire to become?!, I began thinking.
Fresh knowledge, relationships and inspirations ripen
Newness Ripens
These people who inspired me, I noticed, almost always had something new they were excited to incorporate into their work. What is new about your work? Bearing in mind that everything changes through time, can greatly help you center your aperture on what adjustments may assist you with burnout. Similar to what I often say to people about sex, what once used to thrill is not necessarily what moves you now.
What have you noticed that has changed since you started?
quai [at] discoverspace.me (646) 580-6634 Contact me about remote support services for burnout
