Have you ever experienced burnout? If so, how did you overcome it? If not, how have you been successful at balancing the pressure and work?
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- Many times mate. How to overcome it? Use grade exposure and learn how to live in discomfort. Try to do things that will put you in discomfort. Burnout is very similar to - "I don't want to be here, and I don't want to do it" so the thing that you need to learn is how to enjoy discomfort. Being outside of your comfort zone should be your second nature. briefly :) My idea of dealing with burnout and all things mental is "give me more" and i will move forward into it. I did have severe anxiety a few years ago the recipe was not running away from it but into it and enjoy it at the end. Its called DARE approach D-defuse A-Allow R-run toward E-engage.Also, I think but I might be wrong, burnout is connected with perfectionism. so this is something that you should look too :)Cheers
- Louis, such an imporant question and topic worth discussing. Thanks for raising it.I have experienced burnout 3 times in my life and every time I get a bit closer to identify the right signs that I'm about to go into a rabbit hole so I take action before I get to a point I simply can't get out of bed due to complete exhaustion.I'm such an advocate we should talk about this more and without the taboos. In fact, talk about all mental health issues creatives & entrepreneurs have. So I took the courage to make videos about those topics in my channel. Check them out and maybe they will help you and others here too.There are some great tips there on how to deal with burnout, anxiety and loneliness that I learned and worked very well for me!https://youtu.be/55jl6H4hCIAhttps://youtu.be/kPL0bMPtv9k
- Hello LouisYes I have in the past, but no more! It' happens quite easily when you love what you do and you find yourself in work that requires you to be of 'service' - teaching, creting, coaching, managing etc. We can often over function, over extend ourselves and put very little back into our own tanks. I've put better systems in place over the years to catch myself:- Taking a moment to create a better wind up and wind down routine for my day. When we launch straight into the day without taking the time to pause, be still, feed ourselves or 'create before we consume' we just hop on the email treadmill and then the day leads us vs us leading it. Same with going to bed, we have to make space to pause, draw a line under the day and prepare for good sleep. Really rethink how you are setting your day and night routines to be nurturing.- Speak to someone - a therapist, a friend, a partner - the more you can articulate how you are feeling and what's stressing you out the better. It helps you to get clear on what the blocks are and what the triggers are for your stress. I love my therapist, she acts as an impatial advisor to help navigate the roadblocks and helps me get any concerns out of my head and into the air- Get into nature - if I'm working from home, I always try and grab a quick walk around the park during lunch. Between seeing young kids just playing, the trees, pausing to just be and collect my thoughts, I always feel good. It puts things into perspective.- Take a moment to do a body scan and notice what tension you might be holding in your body. Our body has a way of signalling to us when things aren't right ie back pain, stiffness, headaches but we often ignore it. Also check out Sophrology, my friend Dominique has some excellent exercises to help you alliveate tension, stress and prevent burnout - https://be-sophro.com- Be idol! I know there is so much talk about productivity etc. But I do love the time to just sit and do nothing. It helps me to recharge, come up with some of my best ideas and just be still. It's not an easy thing to do but I also pencil in some play/downtime in a week to make sure I create the space between working, doing etc and just being.Hope that helps!
- Yes, in the past I have allowed work to really get on top of me.One of the lessons I have learned is that I cannot be in control of everything that happens. I’m only in control of my actions and my response to the world and the people around me. Reminding myself of this means I’m able to be more compassionate to myself and others. This has alleviated lots of work stress.Try to remind yourself of the elements in life that make you smile on the inside.Make space for play and interaction with the world outside of work.Learn or expose yourself to something new each month.Spend time outside in nature.Digitally detox each night (that includes late night work emails) and create a relaxing environment for your downtime.
- Yes absolutely. What's helped is understanding that work and life balance over the long term (especially if you're doing what you love and they blend together) but not to put too much pressure on myself to have everything balance ALL THE TIME. And not to fill downtime with more work without looking at what else needs topping up.I was given a great tip - imagine you have 10 coins only for the energy you have to do all things. How many are you spending on work today? How much on other people/family? How much for yourself? Being mindful of where you're spending your energy money helps you keep yourself in check a bit and recognise when you could be in danger of burnout.Also I walk to work - about 1.5 hrs - almost every day and that gives me reflection/planning time that I need to make work more efficient and me more focussed.
- I’ve been close to a burnout a few times.The balance is almost impossible to get right and trust me, I’ve been trying for thirty years now.I’m sorry to say it doesn’t feel like it gets any easier with age.A few things I try to do are;1. Take time off. I do most weekends now and it really helps.2. Use a schedule as much as I can and try to be strict with yourself.3. Sleep - I know this one is going to sound a bit basic. But sleep is one of the best healers. For every part of you, both physically and mentally.4. Listen to your body and your head. If you are feeling close to a problem, don’t fight it. Accept it and try to find your best ways of dealing with it.5. Alcohol is not the answer, neither is any other substance to soften the edges. Under real pressure try to get clear of using any of these. I include sleeping pills in this.6. Therapy is AMAZING and really helps. I try to do it regularly and I always feel better. It’s also good to try to look at yourself in the mirror. My recommendation is to try to be as honest with yourself as you can, those that don’t seem to have the worst problems.7. Get it off your chest and always ask for help. Whether that is a friend you do a deal with to support each other, a work colleague you are honest with (or a boss) or as I said above, therapy.Hoep that helps and good luck with it!
- Hi Louis,One of the earliest pieces of advice I was given when launching Notonthehighstreet was that I needed to pre-plan time 'out' every three months. Whether that be a week or just a day - and that it was non-negotiable. Getting out to recharge the creative batteries, even just a few hours trip to the Tate can leave me feeling revitalised. Because physically it is relatively easy to catch up with yourself, its creative burnout that is crucial to avoid. Do I always follow this advice myself - no! But do I think there is truth in that advice I was given all those years ago? Absolutely.But I also think that there is a reality to being the top of your game or building a brand, that it is just extraordinarily hard work - and we should not be fearful of pushing ourselves to our limits. All the hard work you are putting in now, will be the foundations for the years ahead...
- Balancing the pressure and work can be difficult as a designer. It is always important to take breaks inbetween and to give yourself at least an hours lunch. I find when you return to projects you see things in a different light or solutions become clearer. Taking a walk, interacting with people, eating properly drinking lots of water seemed to help me.Sometimes as a freelancer it can be hard as you always want to get the job done but there is no point in burning out as the result may not be as possitive as you thought it would be.
- I took time out. Plain and simple. I went outside and did the things I love doing that are completely unconnected to my work. Or if I had to stay indoors, I just watch YouTube for hours on end to put me in a good mood. Anything to distract me away from what caused fatigue and burnout.
- Finding things that make you laugh and weave them through your day really helps.Also starting and ending your day with something you enjoy. This helps you sleep really well and gives you something to look forward to before you go to sleep and something to look forward to all day long while working.Hope that helps !
- Of course. You must know that it is so normal these days.Have a look at this- https://www.dazeddigital.com/science-tech/article/44672/1/burnout-world-health-organisation-syndrome-workplace-stress-sufferersA break is needed. On a day to day, I meditate, write, walk a lot, exercise.At some point recently I couldn't take it anymore and I've been away for two months. I kept on hearing sirens sounds and street noise for many weeks until I could hear the silence. It is important to listen to ourselves.Set a time when we stop and switch off to rest. Mental health is becoming a very deep issue. Have your me time and find your healing methods that work best for you. Don't feel bad about needing rest. Freelance life gets so hard sometimes. Hope you get better.
- I was working at my previous job for two years when I felt a burnout, so I started to look for a new one, but at the same time, I did some internship, worked on a freelance, in general, I did all to avoid this routine. After 1,5 year I was lucky and I found a new job. So, my advice in summary, keep going, but at the same time switch your attention to something more interesting
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