Having worked my whole life in health care and as a woman and mother I have experienced burnout. That feeling of overwhelm like you just can’t give any more. Like your emotional bucket is empty. It can bring with it feelings of resentment and anger. I have definitely felt like if anyone asks me to do one more thing for them I will surely say something I should not. I remember that did happen one day as a young nurse and I had to walk away from nursing for a while and take a break from caring. It helped me to really reflect on how I got to that place and not stop before I really felt resentful. I know the signs now in my body. The heaviness, the tight shoulders the tense jaw and throat. The feeling of not wanting to say yes for a while. Saying no. No I can’t right now I need time for me. Time to refill my emotional bucket.
How do I do that. I take time to be alone because as a sensitive person I need solitude to refill. I do art or read a book or walk in nature. Even the botanical gardens can be replenishing. I Talk to a close friend who can really hear me.
What do you do?
Do you need help and support to work through burnout feelings? Are you a health care provider or a mother who needs someone to listen ?
Book some time for you. Come and see me and know that I have been there and have worked as a nurse, and carer and will understand. Don’t wait until the resentment starts.