A Week of Conquering Burnout 😩⚠️
Okay, so I didn’t conquer burnout in a week. But I took some serious steps to finding my inner zen.
Guest Blog by Money Healing Club Moderator, Melissa Jensen
We’ve been talking about burnout in the Money Healing Club, and I am seriously suffering.😔 After a recent MHC event, I had an epiphany: I'm not effectively managing my stress because I haven't been prioritizing activities that help me release it. 🔄 Despite dabbling in various #selfcare practices like yoga and breathing exercises, I was convinced they no longer worked for me.
🛑 And here’s how I knew it was burnout, not just regular stress:
The things that used to work for me weren’t working anymore
I just didn’t care about things like I used to.
I felt ineffective at my job and aspects of my personal life.
I felt numb.
So with burnout looming, I knew I had to take action. So, I embarked on a week-long self-care journey, committing to trying a new activity each day to discover what truly rejuvenated me. 💆♀️ What I discovered surprised me—I'm not as resistant to relaxation as I believed! 🌟
Day 1: Took the dog on an extra long walk 🐾🚶♂️🐕🦺
During winter, I fell into the routine of short walks with my pup 🐶—quick enough for her to do her business and stretch her legs, but not long enough for me to freeze outside! ❄️ While it kept me cozy, my furry friend definitely felt cooped up. So today, I decided to switch things up and took her on the scenic route 🌳. As soon as we turned towards our usual path, her tail was wagging like crazy! 🎉 She practically danced the rest of the way. And you know what? I may not have felt an instant stress relief, but I noticed a boost in energy that lasted through the evening. I even felt motivated to whip up a delicious meal! 🍽️
Day 2: Journaling 📔🖋️
I've always wanted to make journaling a regular habit, but it's something I struggle to prioritize. Plus, I often feel unsure about what to write. So, I decided to try the prompts from the 5 Minute Journal:
Share three amazing things that happened today.
Reflect on how I could have made the day even better.
It turned out to be a helpful reflection on my day, and it left me with a more positive outlook afterward. However, I didn't find it as effective as box breathing for reducing stress and promoting relaxation (see Day 7 below).
Day 3: Art 🎨👩🎨🖌️
I used to say, "If only I had the time, I'd paint every day," but today, I made it happen! 🌟 Surprisingly, setting up and cleaning up my watercolors only took 5 minutes total. And without a specific project in mind, I simply let myself play with the colors. 🎨 It was incredibly therapeutic and much less time-consuming than I imagined (I might even try on a weekday!).
Day 4: Spiritual Practice 🌟
As someone deeply connected to spirituality, having regular practices is important to me, whether personal or communal. Regardless of our beliefs and backgrounds, I believe that delving into spirituality—connecting with our inner spirit rather than the material world—is vital for genuine self-care. 🌿 This journey can look different for each person, but setting aside time for reflection and meditation on life's greater mysteries can offer clarity and bring a profound sense of peace. ☮️
Day 5: Gardening 👩🌾🌱🌺
First off, I mean literally gardening. Spending time in the garden has always been my ultimate form of relaxation 🌿. I feel incredibly fortunate to currently have space for both a vegetable and flower garden 🌼🥕, but even in smaller areas, I've enjoyed creating herb gardens in tin cans. There's something so therapeutic about getting my hands in the dirt and watching the magic of growth unfold. 🌱 It truly helped me shift my focus away from stress, and afterward, I felt both physically tired and mentally rejuvenated. 💪✨
Day 6: Time in Nature🌿🌸🍃
Seeking #gardeninspo, I ventured to a local park and indulged in ten minutes of pure nature observation. 🌳💫 While tending to my garden, I'm usually in a flurry of activity, which helps clear my mind. But this quiet moment was different—it was truly meditative. 🧘♀️✨ I tuned in to the gentle breeze rustling through the flowers, the buzz of bees collecting nectar, and the distant sound of laughter. 🐝🌼 It was a serene escape into the beauty of the natural world. 🌿🌸
Day 7: Box breathing 💨⏳🧘♀️
Tuesdays are always a whirlwind for me! 💫 After work, it's straight to the chiropractor, then a mad dash home for a quick bite before diving into the Money Healing Club live session. 🏃♀️💼🍽️ So, I knew I needed something short and sweet for my evening activity.
During the MHC, we delved into the importance of burnout recovery as a daily practice. 🧘♀️ We discussed starting small and gradually building up. Inspired by this, I decided to give box breathing a try that evening. Box breathing is a simple yet powerful technique:
Inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds, exhale for 4 seconds, and then relax for 4 seconds. ⏳ You repeat this cycle until you feel the stress melt away. ✨
🌟😌 Inhale 😌🌟 ⏳🧘♀️ Hold 🧘♂️⏳ 🌸💨 Exhale 💨🌸 🌿🌼 Relax 🌼🌿
I've always been hesitant about breathing exercises, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that it helped me feel more centered and relaxed before bedtime. 😴🛌
Takeaways:
🌟✨ After a dedicated week of embracing stress relief, I'm feeling rejuvenated! 🌿💆♂️ I used to believe I was incapable of completing the stress cycle, but it turns out I simply wasn't making time for it to work its magic. ⏰💫
That said, this past week was quite intense, and I realize I won't always have time for elaborate stress-relief activities. 🔄 So, I'm shifting my focus to cultivating a practice of smaller actions that I can incorporate into my daily routine. 🌱🧘♀️ However, I also understand the importance of prioritizing time for the activities I truly love, like painting and gardening. 🎨🌻 It's all about finding balance and making self-care a non-negotiable part of my life. 💖
Are you ready to transform your relationship with money and reclaim control over your financial future? Join the Money Healing Club today!
At the Money Healing Club, we offer a supportive community and expert guidance to help you heal your money mindset, overcome financial challenges, and achieve your wealth goals. Whether you're looking to pay off debt, grow your savings, or deal with money stress, the Money Healing Club provides the resources and support you need to thrive.
