Personal burnout as a compass - be grateful for it! But what is its meaning for us?
Oh, burnout. Just saying the word can make you dizzy or bring to mind empty coffee cups, overly long to-do lists, and the feeling of waking up more tired than when you went to bed.
For many women juggling business goals, personal milestones, family demands, and the all-too-human need to breathe, burnout isn't just a visitor - sometimes it moves in, unpacks, and throws a pity party in our souls.
Yet here's a twist: burnout is not the villain we think it is. He's more like that brutally honest friend who tells you when your favorite jeans stop fitting. And believe it or not, that's something to be grateful for.
But what exactly is the deeper meaning of burnout and how can it become a compass to guide us back to ourselves?
Recognizing burnout: The metaphor of a breakdown on the road
Imagine you're driving down the highway toward your dream destination - business success, inner peace, or becoming a meditating pastry chef. Suddenly, the check engine light comes on, steam billows out from under the hood, and the car stops. You're stuck. You can scream, cry, kick the tire, or all three. Sound familiar? This vital moment of "breakdown on the road" is called burnout. And just like in this scenario, it's a sign, not the end.
Take the example of a marketing executive who thought sleep was for the weak. She pushed through endless meetings and deadlines, pushing herself harder and harder each week, neglecting her friends and hobbies in the belief that her value was tied to her performance. Until one day she found herself sobbing into her salad for lunch. She didn't see it then, but that was her light - her body and soul begging her to change direction.
Turning Gratitude: Learning from Burnout
When we encounter burnout, our first instinct may be to consider it a failure. But let's think about what would happen if we reframe it as a wake-up call and a guide. The very fact that we burn out shows that we care deeply - about our family, our career, and our self-improvement. Burnout points out areas where we are misaligned and gives us a unique opportunity to make amends.
Tip: Write down the areas of your life that cause you stress. Now think of them as unhelpful plans. What direction could really serve you?
Real Talk: Tears and Transformation
In moments of burnout, many women feel overwhelmed and lost. We may find ourselves crying over spreadsheets or questioning every career decision made since college. Here's the secret: crying is therapeutic. It washes away the frustration and clears the mind for what's to come. Allowing yourself to be vulnerable can lead to surprising revelations.
Jana, an entrepreneur, found herself sobbing during a yoga class, at first embarrassed but later grateful. She realized she had lost the joy of her business. After reassessing her priorities, delegating tasks and reintroducing moments of fun (hello "Friday dance breaks"), she returned to work with renewed energy and focus.
Tips on how to handle burnout with grace and humor
1.Adopt the "friend against burnout" approach: Connect with another woman who gets it. Vent over coffee or host "burned-out bad movie nights". Mutual empathy and laughter are healing.
2. Set time for yourself that can't be ruled out: Create sacred periods of time when you are forbidden to work, make phone calls, and attend to adults. Take up a hobby you've been ignoring, or watch a ridiculous TV show. Example: A friend blocks off "Tuesday bath time" - a bubble bath with no distractions.
3. Re-prioritize and delegate: Burnout often stems from the belief that we have to do everything and do it perfectly. Challenge this belief. Say "no" more often. Did someone say outsource your grocery shopping? Yes, please!
4. Laugh at the absurdity: Sometimes you can find the humor in your own frantic hustle and bustle to relieve the tension. Write your own comedic "burnout appreciation speech" and thank everyone who pushed you to this state.
5. Be grateful and reflect: Reflect on what burnout has taught you. Maybe it's the fact that you have to stop conforming to people or that working through lunch every day is unsustainable. It's all wisdom you can take forward.
The Way Forward: Finding Meaning in the Pause
Ultimately, burnout is a sign that you need to slow down, reassess, and readjust. We owe it to ourselves to listen. You are not alone in feeling overwhelmed, and there is no "right" way to handle it all. If your compass feels broken, let burnout be the tool that re-directs you to a life filled with more joy, meaning, and human connection.
Embrace it.
Learn from it.
And laugh about it when you can - after all, what else can you do when you catch yourself crying into your salad?
Carry on, ladies...
And when burnout comes around again (because let's be honest, it can happen), greet it with gratitude because you know it's there to guide you, not defeat you...
Do you experience moments of "burnout meltdown"? Share it with me - with and without humor! It might be just the laugh (or tear) someone else needs today.
I'd love your comments...
