The Secret To Pivoting From Burnout To Balance

Do you find yourself feeling exhausted by the end of the day, having no energy or motivation to do anything but veg out? Has self-care been feeling more like a duty than a delight because when you finally get the time to do it you have no energy left for yourself? More than likely you are experiencing burnout, and wondering how to find balance. In this blog post, I will share 3 habits that may be causing burning and tips on how to change those habits so you can take back the energy and motivation you need to create a healthy balanced life.

How High Achievement Causes Burnout

A high achiever has good qualities, such as ambition, perseverance, grit, and goal orientated. The issue with high achievement is it is often driven by perfectionism and motivated by the fear of failing. This fear can provoke anxiety, causing you to believe that you always have to work at a high level of excellence and nothing less.

This becomes emotionally exhausting because it creates pressure to meet unrealistic expectations, leaving you feeling like you are chasing after a runaway train you will never be able to catch up to. Overwhelming feelings lead to burnout. Burnout leads to avoiding tasks. Avoidance leads to critical self-talk that you “got nothing done”. A vicious cycle is created.

How People Pleasing Causes Burnout

People pleasing is a coping strategy used to prevent rejection, abandonment, and loneliness. This works for most people because making people happy (doing what they want, meeting their needs, making them laugh, helping fix their problems) would help delay any chance of being judged or left alone. The disadvantage of people pleasing is it requires you to give a lot of your time and energy to others.

You may find yourself feeling annoyed when people make a request because you have created a belief that you have to say “yes.” You may feel resentful because you “never have time” to do the things you want to do. This quickly leads to burnout because you are working so hard to fill everyone else’s cup that you never fill your cup.

How Comparisons Cause Burnout

“I should take this extra class.” “I should arrive to work earlier like my coworker.” “I should know this information inside out like they do.” The dreaded “should” thoughts will cause you to believe you have to act a certain way or do certain things to prove you are enough. They are often created by societal/ family expectations and comparisons.

Comparisons question your abilities and worthiness. As a result “should” thoughts cause the pressure to meet other people’s expectations and act like someone other than yourself. The inner conflict of wanting to be yourself, but also wanting to be seen and heard as enough causes emotional exhaustion aka burnout.

Tips On How To Shift From Burnout To Balance

Now that you have an understanding of how habits like high achieving, people pleasing, and comparing can cause burnout, let’s move on to knowing how to remove burnout and restore balance.

Set boundaries for yourself.

Create limits for yourself that will create the space and energy to care for yourself. Think about what is causing you to have no time for yourself. Are you not honoring your schedule? Are you saying yes to things you do not have the time and capacity for? Are you forgetting to include yourself in your daily schedule? Set limits that help make yourself a priority. Make sure you hold yourself accountable on following through.

Worry about you and you only.

Direct your focus on what you want and what’s best for you. No longer spend your time focusing on other people’s accomplishments. Become laser-focused on your process and what works for YOUR process. When you mind your own business you become aware of and appreciate your wins, no matter the size.

Write affirmations/ declarations.

Motivate and empower yourself by writing positive statements that you read daily. Create statements that remind you of your worth and value, the person you are and becoming, and that imperfections are ok.

Give yourself grace and empathy.

When you do not reach a goal be kind to yourself. Allow yourself to recognize what you did well. Also, when you do accomplish a goal take the time to reflect on and appreciate it. Give yourself the space to rest and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Listen to your body.

Pay attention to the physiological signs that are saying it is time to slow down, stop, and rest. Easily irritable, muscle tension, headaches, upset stomach, cognitive fog, and loss of energy are all examples of signs of stress. Acknowledge these signs and take the time to give your body what it needs (e.g. food, sleep, muscle relaxation).

Set realistic expectations.

Find the balance of setting goals that push you and do not exceed your capacity. You can create balance by taking note of the resources you have available, being honest about your time and availability based on your lifestyle, and making sure it is something that is presently meaningful to you.

Emotional burnout can lead to avoiding people and things that are causing stress, but the avoidance does not help resolve the issue and create balance. By understanding why something is causing you stress, you will then understand what you need to remove the stressor and how to go about creating the balance you desire and deserve.

Want Help With Pivoting From Burnout To Balance?

Speak Life Transformation offers online therapy for those residing in Pennsylvania and New Jersey and online confidence coaching to women worldwide. Complete the inquiry form for the service you would like to schedule a free consultation for. You will meet with Natasha to share the type of support you are looking for and to ask any questions. Finally, begin your transformation journey.

Natasha Bryant, LCSW

Natasha is a psychotherapist and confidence coach helping women set self-love boundaries, go after their dream careers, and heal from past hurts. That’s what sparks her joy…empowering women to unapologetically live their best life as their best selves. She owns a private practice in Philadelphia, PA providing online mental health and wellness services. She is an author, self-proclaimed foodie, travel enthusiast, and a down-to-earth "Hope Dealer" who creates a space for clients to own their story and live it out authentically.

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