Battling Burnout: Recognising the Signs and Seeking Balance

When you hear the phrase 'burnout,' what comes to mind? I recently asked this question to my social media community, and the responses were incredibly insightful, hard to read at times, and very very relatable. 

Many people shared their personal experiences and thoughts on the subject. With responses ranging from the feeling of being physiologically bankrupt, to comparing themselves to a used dishcloth - hung out to dry - it's clear this is a topic deeply felt by many people.

For those of you that know me personally, you will be aware that I had a huge burnout myself back in 2018, but looking back there have been other periods in my life where I’ve definitely teetered on the edge. 

Burnout is a topic that touches nearly everyone at some point in their lives, and it’s something I am seeing so much more of with my coaching clients, and one thing I’ve become increasingly aware of is that it doesn’t discriminate. 

It’s not just the career driven or the hungry business owners, it's the mere mortals amongst us. Coming off the back of a relentless few years of the pandemic, into recovery and now in this new normal world that feels quite overwhelming. 

It’s a topic I am passionate about, and something I have developed a keen interest in with my coaching practice. 

Understanding Burnout

Burnout is not just a buzzword or a passing trend; it's a very real and significant issue that affects individuals across various walks of life. It's a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion.  This can be caused by prolonged stress, overwork, or an imbalance between work and personal life. Burnout can manifest in numerous ways, from feeling overwhelmed and fatigued to becoming disengaged, fed up or along with a whole range of other emotions. Feeling like you are teetering on the edge of breaking down is common.  I remember I had a full on meltdown when I couldn’t get a printer to work.  Those normal everyday things that you can ordinarily handle become insurmountable hurdles, and often the straw that breaks the proverbial camel’s back. 

Recognising the Signs

I asked my community to share their insights about how they recognise when burnout is on the horizon. The responses were eye-opening. People mentioned feelings of constant fatigue, irritability, and a lack of motivation as some early indicators. Others pointed to physical symptoms like headaches, muscle tension, and sleep disturbances. One respondent poignantly noted, "For me I know burnout is around the corner when I feel like I’m running on empty, constantly battling a cold, and feeling like everything is just a bit pointless”.

Preventing Burnout

While recognising the signs of burnout is crucial, it's equally important to understand how to prevent it. One individual shared their approach to avoiding burnout: "For me, the starting point to arresting the slide to burnout will always be self-care." This statement resonates with many, as self-care is a powerful tool in maintaining balance and preventing burnout. Taking time for yourself, managing stress, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance can go a long way in preventing burnout. However, this itself can often feel just like another thing to do, another task to add to an already overflowing list of things to do.  

Going after what you want

Whilst it may feel counter intuitive, another thought-provoking question that emerged from our discussion is, "What's at stake for you if you can't find new ways to be in your life and go after your dreams?" This question prompts us to reflect on the consequences of not addressing burnout. When burnout takes hold, it can shatter not only your physical and mental health but also your dreams and aspirations. It can hinder your progress and ability to reach your full potential. 

So what can you do?

Baby steps. When you are feeling overwhelmed, stressed and burnt out there is no point in taking a sledge hammer and smashing up goals and putting even more pressure on yourself.  

Burnout needs care, gentle attention and understanding as a start point.  You want to be in a position where you are able to think clearly about what is no longer working, and think logically about what steps can be taken to make those all important changes.  This can’t be done when you are in a state of overwhelm, panic and at a loss of where to start. 

The ‘how’  means different things for different people, but one thing I am sure of is about taking a holistic approach that is right for you, and you alone. 

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If this resonates with you, please get in touch to talk through how we can work together in 1:1 coaching.