Question #10
“How do I avoid burnout at work?”
Dear K
The short simple answer is: boundaries.
The longer answer is this: Boundaries are not for other people, they are for you. You tell people no, not because they are asking for too much, but because you don't have capacity for what they are asking you for. It doesn't matter how little it is or isn't.
Prioritize your rest. Don't feel bad about it (easier said than done, I know). There will ALWAYS be more work, so you have to set the boundary with/for yourself that says, "I have done enough for right now."
Create harmony in your work life. If you know you have a busy season approaching, schedule a vacation directly afterward, and carve out some slow days before it starts. Balance out long work days with short work days, or use the weekend/time off to rest instead of feeling like you have to catch up on chores. The chores will always be there, do them the next day, or if you can, pay someone else to do them.
Make the time to do the things that are life-giving for you: talking to family, brunch with friends, working out, creating art, whatever it is. You don't have to do all of them regularly, but you should do something sometimes.
Sometimes, life doesn’t give you room to make time for yourself, so you will have to fight for it, especially when you know that’s what you need.
