Weekly Prompt #12: Have you ever experienced emotional burnout?
Hello everyone, I hope everyone is having a good week.
In the last week, we discussed What are some things you wish people understood about your grief? If you haven't checked yet, please click here to add your thoughts.
This week's prompt is: Have you ever experienced emotional burnout? How did you recognize it, and what were the steps you took to recover from it?
It's a feeling that can slowly creep up on you, leaving you feeling exhausted, unmotivated, and emotionally drained. It's important to recognize the signs of burnout and take steps to recover from it before it starts to impact our lives and well-being. You are not alone in this journey.
Also, please share your feedback on how are you finding these weekly prompts. On a scale of 1-10 where 1 as "meh" to 10 as "Loved it". Is there anything I can do to make this discussion prompts better or if there is any topic on which we may want to discuss some weekly prompts?
For your review of previous prompts, here are the post links:
- Weekly Prompt #11: What are some things you wish people understood about your grief?
- Weekly Prompt #10: How would focusing on your strengths and accomplishments make you feel?
- Weekly Prompt #9: What do you miss most about social interaction and connection?
- Weekly Prompt #8: What’s been bothering you lately?
- Weekly Prompt #7: Share about a past struggle that you overcame.
- Weekly Prompt #6: What would having someone's approval change for you?
- Weekly Prompt #5: What are some simple steps one can take to improve their mental health?
- Weekly Prompt #4: How has dealing with grief changed you as a person?
@ASilentObserver Sometimes. When I do experience emotional burnout, which, is not often, I take time to reflect on what caused it, and work on not letting it affect me. I sometimes, listen to music. I also, watch some old dvd's, that make me laugh. I hope this answers your question. Thanks for doing these posts, OBS.
@calmMango9611 It sounds like taking time for reflection and engaging in activities that bring you joy help you cope with feelings of emotional burnout.
@ASilentObserver
Hi Obs! 😊❤️ Thank you for this amazing forum post and bringing up the topic of emotional burn out. Kind of feeling like it will be cathartic, good to share about this, express ones self and get it all out in a way.
1. Have you ever experienced emotional burn out?
Yes, I have. It is rare for me to experience it however, when it happens, well it really, really happens, lol 😊 I imagine it can also be referred to as empathy fatigue and/or compassion fatigue. I for one don't like being in that space. It's unlike me and an uncomfortable feeling, for sure!
2. How did you recognize it?
For me, I have recognized it in a couple of different ways. Meta cognition...thinking about what it is that I'm thinking about. Listening to my "self talk". What it is that I am saying to myself. Noticing that I feel emotionally exhausted, feeling that I am not a constant empathy machine and when is it that I matter?
The feelings of that I am being used as an emotional punching bag. The feelings of why is it that I have to always be the adult in the room with other adults? Why do I have to be the giver of all things good and be the one to keep my cool with others throwing temper tantrums around me? Feelings of "oh, I had one last nerve today and you just got on it" lol 😊 When I have tried my best, have been misunderstood to the point of tears. It's bad then, when you try to do good things but end up crying. The feeling of "no good deed goes unpunished". Feelings of just wanting to retreat and give up in certain areas.
3. What were the steps you took to recover from it?
I guess different steps for different instances. Largely, I take a moment to retreat. I engage in self care and even what I call "going into the cave". I take a moment to try and fill up my own personal "well" as I know I cannot fill up the cup of another if my own personal "well" has run dry. I make a cognizant decision to not react. I take a hands off method and refuse to engage until I can step away and tease it all apart in a thoughtful and logical way. I take my time in how to proceed, steps I should take in finding resolution and then respond with a healthy mindset.
After I feel refreshed, making sure that I am seeing things for what they truly are I proceed with implementing change in a positive direction, whether that be changes in me for setting better boundaries or removing myself from certain situations to the best of my ability.
Something the Dalai Lama said.....loose quote here......."Is it something you can change? Then no worries. Is it something you cannot change? Also, no worries".
*high fives* 😊 and *hugs* ❤️
@SparkyGizmo It sounds like taking time for self-reflection and soothing activities can help you recharge when you're experiencing emotional exhaustion. Dealing with difficult emotions and situations regularly would be challenging for anyone, but you've identified steps to recover and set healthy boundaries. Handling things in a thoughtful way once you've taken some space shows real strength.
@ASilentObserver
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If you consider creative burnout to be a kind of "emotional burnout" then yeah, more than once.
As to how I got past it, the only way was to stop drawing for a bit. Don't focus on creative things & take some time (but not too much) to relax. I once read in a novel that every artist needs to sit & let ideas come to him, every so often. Though it is a work of fiction & inspiration is not something one waits for, the character who said that might've been right.
@slowdecline48
Oh my gosh! Thank you for your words of wisdom! 😊❤️ I have had a creative "block" as of late. I feel good knowing that there is someone else out there that knows what that means (even though I'm sorry that you have had to grow through it). I've been trying to do some of the things you suggested. It has been helping and a great deal!
I've stepped away from the creative process, figure this too shall pass and just waiting for that "light" to turn back on. I can't force creativity. It just needs to happen on it's own. I can feel it...........it's coming back all on it's own.
*high fives* 😊 and *hugs* ❤️
@SparkyGizmo Glad I could help! I've achieved that much this week... 😝
@slowdecline48
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@slowdecline48 It makes sense to take breaks from creative work help recharge your energy and inspiration. Dealing with creative blocks can be tough but it shows wisdom to listen to what you need in those moments. Focusing on activities that bring you joy and relaxation, even if just for a short time, is a great way to come back to your work feeling refreshed.
@ASilentObserver
Hi, ASO,
Have you ever experienced emotional burnout? How did you recognize it, and what were the steps you took to recover from it?
I'm honestly not sure because such a large portion of my life was spent needing psychiatric help. I may have had emotional burnout as a part of normal life because I grew up in a mentally unhealthy family and then married a man who mentally abused me.
@purpleTree4652 I am sorry to hear that, purple. That sounds like a difficult situation to grow up in and then enter into another challenging relationship. Having support through those experiences could make a big difference.
@ASilentObserver
Hi, ASO,
Having support through those experiences could make a big difference. What helped you most during those tough times? Absolutely nothing. I had absolutely no help. It wasn't until I went to a psychologist the first time, that I had any help. But my husband didn't want me to go to any mental health doctor, so I had to sneak. After I left had my traumatic experience, I left my husband. Then, through therapy in my 40s and on, have I had any support. And in my 50s, I found support on 7 cups.
@purpleTree4652 You are resilient, purple. I'm sorry to hear you went through such tough times without support. It must have been very difficult. We all here for you. You are not alone in this journey
@ASilentObserver
Have you ever experienced emotional burnout? How did you recognize it, and what were the steps you took to recover from it?
I have no clue.
What is emotional burnout? How would it manifest itself?
I know after a days’, work being around people all day, how I feel exhausted. But for some reason I don’t think that is what an emotional burnout it is …
@Barltik2065 I understand. It must be tough dealing with an exhausting job. Get why you feel drained. Feeling exhausted is okay. Dealing with these difficulties requires strength, which you clearly have.
@ASilentObserver
I experience emotional burnout when I am too emotionally invested in something or someone and I get no positive reciprocation. A lot of times I just shut down as a coping mechanism but that is not the healthiest option. However, the best thing you can do is identify the triggers and your body's warning signs and set clear boundaries for yourself and others. If you do this consistently, you would find that you can tell when you're "burning out" and do something to guard yourself, finding time to refuel rather than completely "burnt out" where you're trying to pick up the pieces from ground zero.
@Invisibility101 I appreciate you sharing how you recognize the signs of emotional burnout and the strategies that have helped you in the past. It must have taken self-awareness and strength to identify what works for you. What aspects of finding time to refuel do you find most helpful for you?
Have I ever experienced emotional burn-outs ?
Yup , and of course it's not pretty smh-smh
How did I notice?
I notice when I loosey will to continue being in love with what I am doing. When I only hand in an average, where I used to go beyond my ways to improve earlier.
How did I get over it ?
I like to step out of whatever I was doing and take some time to understand what caused it in the first place. Usually it because of giving too much and not doing enough self care. So I take a mini vacation from wherever I am needed and refresh myself. What do you do at such situations @ASilentObserver ?
@Emerbliss It resonates that taking time for self-care and understanding what caused burnout has helped you recharge in the past. Reflecting and making changes to preserve your well-being requires awareness and strength. I hear how mini vacations and refreshing yourself have helped you continue with dedication once you're feeling restored.
@ASilentObserver Most definitely yes. Over and over.......