You Do You: How Not To Burn Out

Calling all career babes out there making the hustle look effortless...let’s chat.

You’ve probably heard the term “work-life balance” a few times — or a million times if we’re being real. If you have, you also know that it seems to be something everyone is trying to achieve, but no one is actually doing. Am I right?

The thing is that we want to live a balanced lifestyle, but as purpose driven humans, we think we can do it all. Be both kind and assertive, work all day and still meal prep, be career woman and badass mom — basically, we want to have our cake and eat it too. Guess what? We can! However, we are only one human being, meaning we can’t actually do EVERYTHING no matter how hard we try — and trust me, we do try.

The problem is that this leaves no time for us to take care of ourselves the way we should. And when we never get a moment to breathe, that’s when we experience the dreaded “Burn Out.” This is when your last straw has been spent...where you’re just done, over it, and not sure you can continue being the badass you are. So what do we do?

I wouldn’t venture to say that I have mastered the art of never burning out, but here are 4 healthy and applicable tips to help you steer away from it when you see yourself headed that direction.

When your stress meter is about to max out, go for a walk.

Too many fires going off at once? Take 5 and go for a walk. If you feel silly for “taking a lap,” make up a reason! Grab a coffee, smoothie, or run an errand. Go to the ATM; stop by the store for those Swiffer mop pads you’ve been needing. Whatever gets you out and gives you a moment to breathe without having to answer to anyone.

1. When your stress meter is about to max out, go for a walk.

Too many fires going off at once? Take 5 and go for a walk. If you feel silly for “taking a lap,” make up a reason! Grab a coffee, smoothie, or run an errand. Go to the ATM; stop by the store for those Swiffer mop pads you’ve been needing. Whatever gets you out and gives you a moment to breathe without having to answer to anyone.

2. Put your “me-time” in the calendar.

Putting 30-60 minutes for your “me-time” on the calendar not only holds you accountable, but gives everyone else in your life a heads up so they can plan for it as well.

3. Go to the gym.

A great way to relieve stress is through physical activity. Whether you’re a treadmill girl, a Class Pass queen, or a weightlifting baddie — you will leave a thousand times lighter emotionally than when you walked in.

4. Talk to someone who calms you.

If you have a person in your life that’s got your back and helps you feel better, give them a call! Sometimes even sending a long “vent” text can help a lot, and sending that text to someone who cares, understands, and is willing to listen can make a world of a difference.

5. Learn to say “no.”

If you’re the kind that wants to do well at everything, saying no can feel like you're failing yourself or someone else. Try changing your perspective and seeing “no” as a way that you’re managing your time and commitments better. If no is difficult to say in some scenarios, try “no, not right now.” That at least allows you to see how you can plan for it in your schedule, before overcommitting yourself.