Happy Tuesday, boo!

 

Take a guess…

 

What do both of these pictures have in common (besides the same pose 🤪)? 

 

But wait…you’re smiling 🤔

Yes, and I was still experiencing burnout. Not because I hated my job or business. But because I loved it so much and rarely took breaks…until my body forced me to. 

 

My exhaustion was underneath my big smile. I was high-performing, but my health was suffering.

 

So today, in recognition of Stress Awareness Month, I want to talk about burnout in a different light. Because often times when I hear people talk about work-related burnout, the vibe is…

 

'Pack your bags and move on, sis'. 

And while that could very well be necessary (been there!), there could also be an opportunity for you to make some changes first, especially if you love the work you do and the environment you work in. 

 

As someone who experienced burnout as a corporate professional and entrepreneur (and loved my work), I want to give you my perspective and share what I could've done better.

 

When I look back at my relationship with work, I know that there are three things I could've done to prevent burnout and reduce work stress:

Sounds simple, but can be the hardest thing when you love what you do or have big goals that you are determined to achieve. Let's talk about it.

 

To be honest, I barely had boundaries and said ‘yes' to just about everything that was asked of me (people pleasing was on 100). And at the same time, I would be in my feelings if my manager would ask me to work the same weekend I had already planned to live my best life 😫.

 

So today, I think of boundaries as guardrails for my mental and emotional well-being. Whether carving out designated work hours, resisting the temptation to check emails after dinner, or simply saying "no" to that extra project when I'm already swamped, boundaries have helped me protect my peace.

 

 

Raise your hand if you've ever fallen into the "work marathon" trap and glued to your desk for half a day straight. 

 

Or if you've ever felt guilty for taking a lunch break or sneaking out for a quick walk around the block during work hours. 

 

Or if you've ever had a lot of unused PTO.

 

Me too, boo. Me too. Guilty as charged. 

 

Since then, I've learned that breaks aren't a luxury; they're a necessity for maintaining productivity and mental clarity. I now give myself permission to step away from my desk, even if it's just for a few minutes. Take a walk for a change in scenery, practice deep breathing, actually use my PTO, or twerk a lil something to my favorite song in between meetings. Not only do I return to work feeling refreshed, but I often find some inspiration along the way.

 

 

Yep, I am guilty of neglecting my well-being to meet work deadlines or chase business goals. And while busy days and seasons happen, it was a red flag when self-neglect became my norm.

 

In my journey, I've had to remind myself that self-care is not selfish; it's the secret sauce to my productivity, creativity, and overall happiness. It's about intentionally nurturing your physical, mental, and emotional health.

 

Whether it's doing a workout, reading a book, going on a local adventure, booking a retreat, or indulging in Love is Blind (haha), I make it my duty to make the things that fill up my cup a non-negotiable part of your routine.

 

So, let's commit to honoring our limits, giving ourselves the grace to rest, and investing in our well-being. Your future self will thank you for it.

 

Have a great week!