Don't Burn Yourself Out: Learn From My Experience

Trying to live life in a state of chronic exhaustion and detachment is one of the most tough seasons I’ve experienced.

I know exactly what attributed to my burnout:

• My husband had to leave for an active duty assignment, right before the summer started.
• I was solo parenting our sons, ages 4 and 6 (both on the Autistic Spectrum), through the summer and into a new school year.
• My marriage was on the “struggle bus” and my husband and I couldn’t communicate as we needed to because of his military duties.
• I transitioned to working full-time with an additional new role that I was excited about.
• I was doing some unfulfilling work that I had hoped would be off-loaded, but it never did.

The Breaking Point — The Effect of My Chronic Stress

My long-term stress, combined with both physical and emotional exhaustion, resulted in my feeling apathetic about most things.

• My responsibilities? I was dropping the balls, left and right.
• My work? I got anxious every time I looked at my laptop.
• My mornings? I could barely get myself out of bed.
• My hobbies? I had nothing. Does sleep count?
• My marriage? I almost gave up on us.

My First Step Toward Healing from Chronic Stress and Burnout

I finally talked to my doctor about it all — She affirmed depression and burnout were what I was experiencing.

The causes of my burnout were manifold, but the symptoms for every person can vary.

However, most people realize that when they are feeling …

• A loss of control over your life
• Feeling emotionally exhausted; and
• A sense of ineffectiveness

… it doesn’t seem right and something has to change.

I had a moment of truth when a therapist reminded me that if I was experiencing these particular challenges for longer than 2–3 weeks; it is more likely a chronic mental illness.

I should have known this because of my background in counseling.

Burnout is a complex issue, and it is important to look at the entire picture when trying to address it.

This should include talking with your doctor and/or therapist about what you are feeling, as well as how much you’re:

• Working
• Sleeping; and
• Socializing

Just be honest about how you’re doing, and what your work-life balance is like.

Find Healing and Healing Through an Extended Time Off of Work

Soon after talking with my boss, he suggested I take some time off of work.“How about three months?” he suggested.

It sounded too good to be true, and I almost sabotaged an opportunity to receive a gift of rest because — I hate to admit it...

I’m a recovering workaholic.

Long story short, I agreed to take a three-month leave of absence and I needed it more than I realized.

And I prepared myself to return to work soon after.

I must admit, I was feeling just a little anxiety, but I believed I was equipped to set boundaries in my life and protect my rest as a regular practice.

Was I really ready to return back to work?

The story continues. Stay tuned in to read what happened after my three month leave from work.

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Candice Zakariya is the CEO and founder of Her Digital Lemonade™ 🍋, where she helps creative women launch dynamic digital businesses so they can earn an income doing what they love!