i don’t know who needs to hear this but you’re not a failure for feeling burnt out in your business
I have a confession: I’ve been working way too much.
I’ve been experiencing what my old weeks used to feel like when I worked at my 9-5. I’ve been working late and waking up early feeling anxious about what I have planned for the day ahead. My first waking thoughts have been playing the mental Tetris to squeeze everything into the day and my last thoughts of the day have been consumed with stress-planning to fit in the things I didn’t get done today. Mad at myself because I decided to take a break to get together with a friend, having a “fun-hangover” because I didn’t hole myself up and work all day like I was “supposed to”.
Wow, hello, talk about projections.
I’m at the stage of burnout where I’m starting to see the patterns, the self-talk and the habits that used to run wild behind the scenes. But that doesn’t stop these thoughts from coming up.
I thought I had left this life behind. I thought I was done threading the needle everyday trying to find a moment to just breathe. When I trace the thread back to where it starts, it’s a matter of being way too hard on myself. It’s the unraveling that happens when rest isn’t on the agenda but it’s what’s needed more than anything. It’s the shame that comes from being a Yoga teacher and sound healer but still having these moments of feeling completely underwater.
It’s in the moments when I’m hardest on myself that I have to remember:
Companies hire whole teams to do what I do as a solopreneur.
Remember you’re not just a business owner, you’re social media manager, product designer, project manager, creative director, accountant, and the list goes on. And on top of wearing six people’s hats I’m also remembering to feed myself, feed the cats, go to the dentist and make time for a social life. I’m not going to pretend that it’s not a lot because it absolutely is. It’s understandable to be feeling burnt out, but the key is not getting stuck here. In order to run my business in the way I envision, I have to remind myself almost daily that I really am managing a lot.
I have to remember that my peace will come through structure. Not the structure that squashed my creativity in the past, but the type that gives me space to flow. Burnout isn’t the problem, but a symptom of trying to hold too much. And even though I’ve created the systems to support me, I’m also in a building phase where that system is receiving constant downloads and upgrades. Systems aren’t just about what apps I’m using and how automated my emails are, but the systems that help my body to have the capacity to hold all that I’m creating. This also includes regularly checking on my self-care and asking questions like: How late am I working? How much am I actually capable of accomplishing? What actually needs to be done right now? Am I giving myself days off? (And not the kind where I still check my email 5-10 times / day).
It’s wired somewhere in my body that I have to hold it all and the stress I experience comes from trying to figure out how. Instead of being powered by panic, I’ve started practicing getting curious around the things that feel the most stressful.
Reflections
The next series of reflections are questions to ask yourself when you start to feel the overwhelm to give your brain a place to go instead of skipping to the worst case scenario. When your mind starts to spiral and the burnout starts creeping in, try inserting these opportunities to get curious instead.
Ask for support
How are you feeding / nourishing yourself this week? Could you ask for support from a friend or partner?
How are you feeling emotionally?
Do you need someone to hold space for your to vent, process or just bounce ideas off of? Be clear about this when approaching a friend, partner or family member for support. Try setting the intention of the conversation like: “I really have a lot on my mind these past few days, do you have space for me to vent? I really need to let some things out.”
Prioritize
Are there deadlines you’re up against?
Is there any flexibility in those deadlines?
If so, who can you talk to about taking something off your plate or having more time?
What are the must do’s on your list and what could wait for a more spacious week?
Is there anything that can be easily rescheduled to create more spaciousness?
Reflect on Self-Care
How are you caring for yourself during these full times?
Are you making space for fresh air? Have you drank water?
When you finish your next task, how are you celebrating?
How are you transitioning to the next task and are you making space for an intentional pause in between?
The journey of healing from burnout is ongoing. It’s learning to grow with my business and also learning to be honest about what is and isn’t working. So the next time you’re feeling hard on yourself about your productivity remember: You’re doing a whole team’s worth of work –– and if there’s any question of if you deserve a break: trust me, you do.