Discover how to take care of yourself and reduce burnout for a happier, healthier life. Rest is your secret weapon!
Introduction: When Rest Feels Like Failure
We all know it, and most of us have felt it—probably more than once. For some of us (me included), rest feels like laziness. Like if we slow down, we’re failing or not working hard enough.
Since when did our short 80 years of life—only about 60 of them as adults—boil down to how hard can I work? Where did that idea even come from? I feel so looney because I abide by this concept.
The Quiet Guilt That Leads to Burnout
So many small, tedious things pile up until they become the straw that breaks my back. Why do I feel scared to call out when I’m sick? Why do I feel guilty for not meeting every expectation?
Maybe that’s an internal dialogue I need to unpack—but the bigger question still stands.
Why Are We Burning Ourselves Out?
Why am I working while sick, missing family gatherings, and burning myself out? The answer always seems to come back to money. And yes, we need money to survive—bills, food, maybe some fun if we’re lucky.
But where does the living part come in?
Chasing an Invisible Finish Line
You see, I’ve felt burnout for years, always pushing toward some invisible finish line. But what finish line am I actually reaching?
There is always another task, another responsibility, another thing to mark off on my to-do list, another thing that won’t get done if I don’t do it. So where is the middle ground? Where does it end?
When Do We Become the Priority?
When do we become important enough to come first?
There you go. That’s the real question. How do I make myself the urgency I feel when I’m running late to work or racing a deadline? When do you become the priority for yourself?
Honestly, I don’t know about you, but at this point, I’d even settle for second place.
Finding Your Value Beyond Productivity
It starts with finding our value—to ourselves. Not the roles we fill for others. Not as employees, parents, siblings, or friends. Just us.
Everything else serves a purpose. Work keeps a roof over our heads. Family fulfills our social needs. Friends give us space to grow and be seen.
So what purpose do we serve in our own lives?
The answer should be: everything.
Self-Care Is Not Optional—It’s Maintenance
We work so hard to fill these needs for a sustainable life. To live in some form of comfort and to feel fulfilled. So ergo, if we need to keep doing all these tasks (though we should limit them when feeling burnout—but that’s another story), we need to nurture our own well-being.
A dying plant doesn’t produce flowers or fruit. And neither do we.
What Taking Care of Yourself Actually Looks Like
Taking care of yourself looks different for everyone. It might be cooking, traveling, painting, running, swimming, meditating—anything that nourishes your mind or body.
For me, it’s art, cooking, and movement (even when I don’t enjoy it in the moment). Through trial and error, I’ve learned what my body needs to feel successful—and when my body feels supported, my mind follows, and vice versa.
A Gentle Challenge for Burnout Recovery
I challenge you to find three things that support your mind and body and do them consistently. They don’t have to take hours—just be sustainable.
Afterwards, keep a journal or word doc and track how your feelings change. If something adds stress instead of relief, try something else.
You Are Meant to Exist, Not Just Produce
We are human beings. We are meant to exist, not just produce. We wouldn’t watch a plant die without intervening—so why do we treat ourselves that way?
You are important. Growth isn’t something you have to earn—it’s a right.
Good luck on your journey. And if you feel up to it, let me know how it’s going.
Until next time.