Don't Get Burned Out

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Last week, I took a break from WA, quite unexpected, but I just couldn't do it anymore. Yesterday, I finally got back to being active, and it felt really good, and there is a reason.

I needed that break.

This is basically the reason why I am starting this blog today. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to build our websites, write those blogs, increase our social media presence, research, get website comments, update blog posts and our websites, make videos on YouTube, make great looking pins on Canva, etc etc ... And besides all that we are also working at our jobs and some of us have children. Putting that all together, it can take its toll.

The secret is to know when to pause before you have to pay the toll. It is important not to pay the toll.


It is work done with love, and a dedication to reach our goals. Nevertheless, do not neglect yourself in the process. You can achieve your goals but not at the price of yourself. If you sacrifice yourself, you will ultimately also sacrifice your business, so it is of the utmost importance to look after yourself. You are the only one running your websites. You are the engineer and the driver of this train, so you should make sure that the engineer/driver is taken care of.

Last week, I did not achieve the goals I had set for myself. I just couldn't. I took a break. I needed to be away from it all. I felt overwhelmed.

I did a little bit here and there, some website comments, and I worked on my books, because writing my books is therapeutical, they transport me to other worlds and away from the current one we're living in. On top of that I am partipating in nanowrimo (see my last blog :-) ) and I really want to achieve my goal of 50,000 words of novel writing in one month.

My daytime job, my afternoon language classes, and my writing projects have been adding up with WA and my websites, and I decided to take a break this week, but I did not. I took my break last week, and did not do what I had set out to do.

In the beginning I felt bad. I thought, what kind of businesswoman am I if I am neglecting my work for a week and I am binge watching Netflix or just spending more time with my dogs and cats? I felt really bad about it, but I continued my break, feeling like I needed it. I was doubtful about whether I would ever achieve my financial independence - I am not whining, I think we all get those doubts.

I didn't want to write a new article, I didn't want to create a new pin on Canva, I did not want to do anything. So, I didn't. I did other things. I spent more time on Netflix than I should have, but well, I still promoted my books online, and I got a little busy on my land - as far as my back allows it - my friend hurt my back by straightening it without even asking my permission first, so I spend as little time as possible sitting.

Anyway, enough about me.

Sometimes we need that break. It recharges our batteries and it prevents us from getting burnout. I went through burnout for several years and it is not something I would recommend anyone. So, that is one reason why I accepted this hiatus and I stopped feeling guilty about it. This break was wonderful for me. Yesterday was the first time I got active on Pinterest again, and it felt good. One of my Pinterest accounts had lost 10,000 views in that week ... oh well, I can get it back up again.

Last night, when I got back into working on my websites again, it felt really good and I enjoyed it. So, that shows me that that break was much needed.

I made a new game plan for this week, I am back to working on my websites.

Don't Push Yourself

If you feel overwhelmed, do not keep pushing yourself to a point where you can't go on. Please prevent burnout. It is better to lose a few thousands viewers on Pinterest than to lose yourself. It is easier to recover those 10,000 views than to recover yourself. So, take care of yourself. You are the machine driving your website. The machine needs to be oiled and getting its maintenance.

If you push yourself and keep pushing yourself, the risk of getting to a point of feeling overwhelmed and giving up is much bigger. If you take a break and allow yourself to find your balance and start again with a fresh mind, you will be more likely to succeed and not give up. That's just what I think.

This 7-day hiatus gave me a lot of perspective, and I thought it would be a good idea to share that here.

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Recent Comments

33

Interesting.,inspiring, nice and a little bit of envy. These are some words that came to my mind every time I read a blog post of yours.
With the number of words that are in your post you can already make an e-book.
There must be a kind of magma inside of you.. So many things it is normal to have a rest.... Tanks Mirko

Magma in me ... I have not heard of that, but I think I do ;-)
Thanks for your comment!

Hi Christine,

I couldn't agree with you more. It's important to rest and take breaks now and then.

I know what burnout feels like- especially when I was in a job a few years back. I worked a lot of hours/6-day workweeks, and it took a toll on me. So I learned the hard way back then.

When it comes to our businesses, the same thing applies here. I’ve taken a step back by writing one blog post a week (compared to my usual 2-3 weekly posts). I think it's good to dial back before 2021 arrives, when I want to get back in the routine.

I’m glad to her you took a break- very much needed. But great points- thanks for sharing!


Best,

-Eric

Thanks Eric,

Yes, taking breaks is so important. We need to remind ourselves of that, we often keep going and keep going and then we get burned out ...

I We must take brakes at interval, this morning I got up, but somehow I wasn’t feeling well but I kept going. As the day went on, eventually I had to leave everything to go and rest.

When I woke up I felt better. So please take some of time out to relax.

This experience is more mental than physical.

It's a good thing you took a rest and felt better :-)

It is always good to take care of yourself Christine. Glad your time away gave you a new perspective, it usually does.
Have a blessed week ahead.
Ray

Thank you! Have a great week! :-)

I've had to take breaks before. I've gotten to a point where I was really depressed and needed to rethink my decision to be in business for myself.

I was hard on myself not long ago for not being successful yet. Even today I was like, "What am I doing? I need to find a job!" But, then, I have to remind myself I have a job. I'm working on it every day. I don't always feel like it, like today - I have NO IDEA what to write about, but I know even if I don't today, I will tomorrow.

Besides, on my Pet Apparel website, I've only been working on that since May. 6 months. It seems like eternity, but not for success. That takes years on the blogs I follow. Even my husband had to say, "Babe, it takes time. Keep working on it and you'll get there."

I'm glad you took a break! Sounds like you needed it!

Katrina

It's wonderful that your husband is so supportive :-)
It takes time, it can take years, the important thing is not to give up. I have also gotten to points where I didn't know what to write about anymore, but then new topics keep on popping up.
Have you activated Google Alerts in your niche? If you have Google Alerts you will get sent trends in your niche every week.

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