🔥 Is Burnout like 🪴 Plant Parenting?
Burnout. We've all been there. And I think we'd all love to never be there again.
I recently announced the Feel Good Systems Series — a weekly free [charitable donation to the featured organization optional] systems guidance hosted on Instagram Live.
The first series is all about burnout so let’s elaborate.
What is burnout
There’s an official definition offered by the WHO, but put simply, burnout is when your capacity is outpaced by your obligations. It’s when your fuel tank hasn’t been properly filled in quite awhile, so you’re moving forward for now, but not at all sure how much longer you’ll last.
How does it happen
When you try to operate over your capacity for a stretch of time. Burnout tends to:
Start incrementally
Impact you exponentially
Create a burnout cycle
It occurs when you don’t feel able to create rest or a reduction in work volume or pace. We all need fuel — food, water, sleep, movement, rest, connection. All of these things replenish our fuel stores in various ways. When one or more is left untapped and untended, we’re operating at a fuel deficit.
Is it like plant parenting?
Yeah, I certainly think it is.
In order for a plant to thrive it needs a particular combination of light, water, and nutrients. It can survive for quite awhile in less than ideal conditions and it might even adapt. But, it will likely only be surviving. It won’t spring a healthy new leaf and it won’t grow taller. In order for that to happen, all of the fuel sources need a little attention.
We can go for a one work day without eating, one night without sleeping, or one week without connecting with friends or family — we’ll likely survive. But how many of those in a row makes for a very grumpy and unfulfilled version of yourself?
