I can so relate to this 🙏 thank you for sharing. It’s joyful to read you are on the road to recovery. I am over here celebrating getting my hair done last week (feels huge to be able to drive and sit at the salon) and every other (mostly) daily walks. I can feel my brain lighting up and joy returning. And boy doesn’t it feel good?! ❤️
I, too, made it to a wedding in the first 6 months as bridesmaid and managed to stay awake all day and largely symptom free! It was the only day that year.
It took me 3 years before I was able to start doing my skin care more regularly. The same to share hideous photos of myself - on the back of others inspiring me to be vulnerable.
4 years to stop enjoying long naps. Would you believe when I could sleep for no more than an hour, I missed those long naps? The year after half an hour. Now I only sleep when I’m ill which is mainly only odd days a month and symptoms are largely mild.
I allowed myself to go way past burnout though (by a good few years!!!), to the point of disability by chronic illness. so the recovery has been long. But I relate to so much you share. And bravo for the video!
It came to me yesterday to invite you to Mondays Healing Through Writing circle.
You’re very welcome to receive a complimentary session if you’d like to join us.
It’s behind my paywall and every Monday we meet together, opening space with candles and grounded meditation, a chat about what we’re writing and the timer set for 44minutes then a chat at the end about how we’re feeling about what we’ve written.
I’ve never mentioned it in this capacity before but you’re very welcome if you feel drawn to it✍️💜
I am not in the space to take on something like this at the moment and I am already part of a similar group for now, but I really appreciate you extending the invitation :)
This may sound really stupid but how do I ever have hope of recovering when I’m single and my job is the thing keeping a roof and meals in mine and my 3 kids’ bellies? I read through and all my brain is doing is going “who even gets 18 months to heal?” I took the week I had no choice but to take because burnout, back in August-September. I remain exhausted and grinding. I guess until it takes me…
Hi Jai, this is something I want to write about more, so please look out for further posts on burnout recovery. I specifically want to address finances at some point, but basically I lived a very frugal life on government benefits for several months until I got married.
Everyone's situation is different - I don't have kids so that does change things somewhat. But please look out for more posts from me on this topic!
That is a really tough situation to be in. Chloe who writes Single mum speaks on here has one child with chronic and debilitating illness. You might find a little solace in her words.
I have a friend who is a mother of 4 who was left to provide for her 4 kids with very little outside support. I’m in the process of writing a blog about her story to inspire other mothers. Couple of pointers -she only did what she could when she could. She turned her bedroom into a sanctuary and would go to bed for 8pm every night. Her friends would gently poke fun at her for it but it was the only way she could work full time and take care of what, during burnout and breakdown were 2 babies, 15 months apart. 2 older children who are now in their late teens but weren’t 5-10 years ago.
My own situation was disability by illness, no mortgage insurance, sick pay or family to help. I had no kids though so different in that respect but a brutal time in my life nonetheless.
Recovery is about creating small pockets. Very small pockets of space for you, whether that’s to breathe, write, scream into a pillow, ask for help, put your feet on the grass, look up to the sky - a selection of what works for you. It will be very individual, there are ways to get the kids involved too.
Sending you love and strength in these difficult times😘
Thank you so much for taking the time to share yours and your friend’s journeys. I love the ideas and the way you explained them, little pockets where we can make them… finally making the room into a sanctuary… thanks for helping me see the can-do’s ❤️
Love that you are making your room into a sanctuary. My friend would listen to the birds outside and look at the sky/greenery. It brought her great comfort during her darkest days. She is a warrior woman. You are too.
Not in the fighting sense, but in the surrender. Peace can be found there.
I can’t tell you how much this related. I am also coming towards the end of a phase of burnout, that’s also lasted the same amount of time, coincidently, after both leaving my business and receiving my diagnosis of ADHD and autism. It’s been a wild ride and I’ve learnt so much. I’m also coming to the point where I’m considering paid work again/re-staring my business in a new way, it feels both refreshing and re-assuring to not feel as scared anymore, even if the hesitancy is there, but I’ve learnt through this recovery journey to take things one day at a time and I’m happy to be in the place where I’m really respecting that. Thank you so much for sharing your journey, it really helps others like me who’ve also gone through that not feel so alone and alien, it really validates theirs and my experience as I hope receiving the comments for this does for you - I’d love to connect and chat more about your journey 😊
Thank you so much for your lovely comment 💕 I am so glad this post resonates with you. Am happy to chat via DM and also starting to think about collabs, so you're welcome to hit me up! 😄
The article gave me so much hope. I’m currently going crazy with indecision. One moment I know I’m quitting and the other one I feel like crawling back to the hellhole that is my work environment —my manager and her little assistants.
I’m not kidding that when I heard your voice I started crying because the way you talk is so comforting and human and full of emotion, I want to give you a virtual hug.🫂
Thank you so much for putting this out there! I wish you nothing but the best!❤️
Thank you for sharing all of this, Jessica. I know that many of us can relate. I felt incredibly burned out at the end of last December. I had poured a significant amount of energy into a client project and in general, was so burned out of trying to grow my business. In January, I totally checked out of the world and had no energy to do anything related to my business. Even the thought would make me exhausted. I took it all as a sign to overhaul every aspect of how I was managing things on my own (and to do it my way!). Much better now and way happier moving forward.
Anyway, I am celebrating you overcoming this massive burnout and all of your milestones! It's wonderful to hear you've got more capacity for LIFE: excercising as it feels good, taking care of your appearance (I can relate here!), feeling rejuvenated creatively... Lovely to "meet" you too through the video. I love your accent :) You're inspiring me with different ways to share on here!
Hi Angela, thank you so much! I'm so glad this post resonated with you 😄 I love what you said about taking burnout as a sign to overhaul things, and having more capacity for life - that really resonates with me. Thank you so much for your kind words xx
Hi Jessica! You are so welcome. Yes, it most certainly did! Oh good, I’m happy to hear those ideas were helpful to you. It can be really empowering to make changes that align with your authentic self. In small or big ways. I think anything we do to fill the light up within ourselves is good for everyone. Thank you for sharing your experiences and where you are now. I’m cheering you on in this new phase of your life! ✨xx
I am speechless. I’m going to come back and provide a deeper comment. I’ve been in burnout recovery for 4 years now, this summer, and I have learned so much about the nervous system and burnout. I measure milestones like you, and have written a couple pieces like this one in my newsletter with my updates, and I just want to thank you for sharing your milestones and journey. It’s so beautiful to connect with someone on a similar way of living, everything you mentioned, I do too. These days, I’m mostly recovered but I get scared or anxious that I’m going to fall back into a burnout cycle so I’m still cautious. I’ve done things that I didn’t think I would ever do again. Like you said.
Thank you for this ♥️ it means a lot to me that others are getting value out of my words, even though I write primarily for myself. It's heartening to know there's others going through the same thing 💕 Burnout is such a personal and unique experience, yet we all seem to share certain characteristics of it. I'm going to check out your writing, and best of luck for the future xx (P.S. I am also a horse girl like you 😄)
My heart feels so whole finding someone who reflects me back at me. Wow. Thank you Jessica.
Haha, I also write for myself!! I write with my intuition and it’s so fun. I also love writing about my burnout recovery experience to somehow mark the stages of my journey.
Horses are the most magical creatures. I have a couple books about horse wisdom, one I self-published called Some Equine Truths which I wrote after my mare passed away. I wanted to write down the life lessons that she taught me, and then it became a book. I hope that you write about horses someday, I would love to read it
Horses are definitely coming! 🐎 It's not something I've talked about on Substack yet, but it was a big part of my life for a long time so it's bound to show up sooner or later! 😄 I too lost a horse, a QH gelding, so I know your pain ♥️
I experienced pretty bad burnout applying for jobs, and now applying for work again I feel the symptoms coming back. I don't have a clue how to combat it but I only recently learned what burnout even was. Thank you for posting this, happy to hear you're coming out of it!
Yes, I too experience worsening of burnout symptoms when I apply for jobs. I think the key is to apply for the jobs you actually want... it's amazing how many of us apply for jobs we don't actually want (me included 🙋🏼♀️). Glad you enjoyed :)
I can so relate to this 🙏 thank you for sharing. It’s joyful to read you are on the road to recovery. I am over here celebrating getting my hair done last week (feels huge to be able to drive and sit at the salon) and every other (mostly) daily walks. I can feel my brain lighting up and joy returning. And boy doesn’t it feel good?! ❤️
Absolutely ✨ wishing you all the best on your recovery journey - and thanks for commenting!
I can relate so much to this!
I, too, made it to a wedding in the first 6 months as bridesmaid and managed to stay awake all day and largely symptom free! It was the only day that year.
It took me 3 years before I was able to start doing my skin care more regularly. The same to share hideous photos of myself - on the back of others inspiring me to be vulnerable.
4 years to stop enjoying long naps. Would you believe when I could sleep for no more than an hour, I missed those long naps? The year after half an hour. Now I only sleep when I’m ill which is mainly only odd days a month and symptoms are largely mild.
I allowed myself to go way past burnout though (by a good few years!!!), to the point of disability by chronic illness. so the recovery has been long. But I relate to so much you share. And bravo for the video!
Thanks for your comments Amber 💕 You have a very inspiring story and here's to hoping you remain largely symptom-free!
It came to me yesterday to invite you to Mondays Healing Through Writing circle.
You’re very welcome to receive a complimentary session if you’d like to join us.
It’s behind my paywall and every Monday we meet together, opening space with candles and grounded meditation, a chat about what we’re writing and the timer set for 44minutes then a chat at the end about how we’re feeling about what we’ve written.
I’ve never mentioned it in this capacity before but you’re very welcome if you feel drawn to it✍️💜
Thank you Amber 💕 I do appreciate it.
I am not in the space to take on something like this at the moment and I am already part of a similar group for now, but I really appreciate you extending the invitation :)
That’s good to hear you are part of something similar. I’ve found to be an essential part of healing, recovery and now writing.
The offer is always open to join us anytime x😘
This may sound really stupid but how do I ever have hope of recovering when I’m single and my job is the thing keeping a roof and meals in mine and my 3 kids’ bellies? I read through and all my brain is doing is going “who even gets 18 months to heal?” I took the week I had no choice but to take because burnout, back in August-September. I remain exhausted and grinding. I guess until it takes me…
Forgot to say you might also enjoy my burnout story (https://neurodivergentnotes.substack.com/p/finding-hope-and-beauty-in-the-fallow) and some tips on how to live a low-demand lifestyle (https://neurodivergentnotes.substack.com/p/living-a-low-demand-lifestyle).
Hi Jai, this is something I want to write about more, so please look out for further posts on burnout recovery. I specifically want to address finances at some point, but basically I lived a very frugal life on government benefits for several months until I got married.
Everyone's situation is different - I don't have kids so that does change things somewhat. But please look out for more posts from me on this topic!
That is a really tough situation to be in. Chloe who writes Single mum speaks on here has one child with chronic and debilitating illness. You might find a little solace in her words.
I have a friend who is a mother of 4 who was left to provide for her 4 kids with very little outside support. I’m in the process of writing a blog about her story to inspire other mothers. Couple of pointers -she only did what she could when she could. She turned her bedroom into a sanctuary and would go to bed for 8pm every night. Her friends would gently poke fun at her for it but it was the only way she could work full time and take care of what, during burnout and breakdown were 2 babies, 15 months apart. 2 older children who are now in their late teens but weren’t 5-10 years ago.
My own situation was disability by illness, no mortgage insurance, sick pay or family to help. I had no kids though so different in that respect but a brutal time in my life nonetheless.
Recovery is about creating small pockets. Very small pockets of space for you, whether that’s to breathe, write, scream into a pillow, ask for help, put your feet on the grass, look up to the sky - a selection of what works for you. It will be very individual, there are ways to get the kids involved too.
Sending you love and strength in these difficult times😘
Thank you so much for taking the time to share yours and your friend’s journeys. I love the ideas and the way you explained them, little pockets where we can make them… finally making the room into a sanctuary… thanks for helping me see the can-do’s ❤️
Wonderful to hear this was well received 🥰
Love that you are making your room into a sanctuary. My friend would listen to the birds outside and look at the sky/greenery. It brought her great comfort during her darkest days. She is a warrior woman. You are too.
Not in the fighting sense, but in the surrender. Peace can be found there.
I can’t tell you how much this related. I am also coming towards the end of a phase of burnout, that’s also lasted the same amount of time, coincidently, after both leaving my business and receiving my diagnosis of ADHD and autism. It’s been a wild ride and I’ve learnt so much. I’m also coming to the point where I’m considering paid work again/re-staring my business in a new way, it feels both refreshing and re-assuring to not feel as scared anymore, even if the hesitancy is there, but I’ve learnt through this recovery journey to take things one day at a time and I’m happy to be in the place where I’m really respecting that. Thank you so much for sharing your journey, it really helps others like me who’ve also gone through that not feel so alone and alien, it really validates theirs and my experience as I hope receiving the comments for this does for you - I’d love to connect and chat more about your journey 😊
Thank you so much for your lovely comment 💕 I am so glad this post resonates with you. Am happy to chat via DM and also starting to think about collabs, so you're welcome to hit me up! 😄
Amazing I will do😊
The article gave me so much hope. I’m currently going crazy with indecision. One moment I know I’m quitting and the other one I feel like crawling back to the hellhole that is my work environment —my manager and her little assistants.
I’m not kidding that when I heard your voice I started crying because the way you talk is so comforting and human and full of emotion, I want to give you a virtual hug.🫂
Thank you so much for putting this out there! I wish you nothing but the best!❤️
Vera, thank you! Your comment made me well up with tears. I hope my words can be a candle in the dark for people - you might also enjoy this one https://neurodivergentnotes.substack.com/p/finding-hope-and-beauty-in-the-fallow. Wishing you all the best on your journey 💕
Thank you for sharing all of this, Jessica. I know that many of us can relate. I felt incredibly burned out at the end of last December. I had poured a significant amount of energy into a client project and in general, was so burned out of trying to grow my business. In January, I totally checked out of the world and had no energy to do anything related to my business. Even the thought would make me exhausted. I took it all as a sign to overhaul every aspect of how I was managing things on my own (and to do it my way!). Much better now and way happier moving forward.
Anyway, I am celebrating you overcoming this massive burnout and all of your milestones! It's wonderful to hear you've got more capacity for LIFE: excercising as it feels good, taking care of your appearance (I can relate here!), feeling rejuvenated creatively... Lovely to "meet" you too through the video. I love your accent :) You're inspiring me with different ways to share on here!
Hi Angela, thank you so much! I'm so glad this post resonated with you 😄 I love what you said about taking burnout as a sign to overhaul things, and having more capacity for life - that really resonates with me. Thank you so much for your kind words xx
Hi Jessica! You are so welcome. Yes, it most certainly did! Oh good, I’m happy to hear those ideas were helpful to you. It can be really empowering to make changes that align with your authentic self. In small or big ways. I think anything we do to fill the light up within ourselves is good for everyone. Thank you for sharing your experiences and where you are now. I’m cheering you on in this new phase of your life! ✨xx
I am speechless. I’m going to come back and provide a deeper comment. I’ve been in burnout recovery for 4 years now, this summer, and I have learned so much about the nervous system and burnout. I measure milestones like you, and have written a couple pieces like this one in my newsletter with my updates, and I just want to thank you for sharing your milestones and journey. It’s so beautiful to connect with someone on a similar way of living, everything you mentioned, I do too. These days, I’m mostly recovered but I get scared or anxious that I’m going to fall back into a burnout cycle so I’m still cautious. I’ve done things that I didn’t think I would ever do again. Like you said.
Keep going 💜 We got this
Thank you for this ♥️ it means a lot to me that others are getting value out of my words, even though I write primarily for myself. It's heartening to know there's others going through the same thing 💕 Burnout is such a personal and unique experience, yet we all seem to share certain characteristics of it. I'm going to check out your writing, and best of luck for the future xx (P.S. I am also a horse girl like you 😄)
My heart feels so whole finding someone who reflects me back at me. Wow. Thank you Jessica.
Haha, I also write for myself!! I write with my intuition and it’s so fun. I also love writing about my burnout recovery experience to somehow mark the stages of my journey.
Horses are the most magical creatures. I have a couple books about horse wisdom, one I self-published called Some Equine Truths which I wrote after my mare passed away. I wanted to write down the life lessons that she taught me, and then it became a book. I hope that you write about horses someday, I would love to read it
Horses are definitely coming! 🐎 It's not something I've talked about on Substack yet, but it was a big part of my life for a long time so it's bound to show up sooner or later! 😄 I too lost a horse, a QH gelding, so I know your pain ♥️
I excitedly wait for your stories 💜💜💜
I experienced pretty bad burnout applying for jobs, and now applying for work again I feel the symptoms coming back. I don't have a clue how to combat it but I only recently learned what burnout even was. Thank you for posting this, happy to hear you're coming out of it!
Yes, I too experience worsening of burnout symptoms when I apply for jobs. I think the key is to apply for the jobs you actually want... it's amazing how many of us apply for jobs we don't actually want (me included 🙋🏼♀️). Glad you enjoyed :)
This post is so encouraging as someone who is starting to see some improvements in burn out after months and months of that zombie phase. Thank you :)
I'm so glad this was encouraging to you Emily! That was my whole intention. Recovery is slow but well worth it ✨