The Burnout is real
The day starts at 6:50 am and more often than not, the day ends well after midnight. While I love having the time freedom of running my own business, let's be clear my days are completely at capacity. Every day there is no shortage of client and team calls, client projects, administrative tasks for the business, and mommy, and wife duties. Running a business while supporting a family is no walk in the park, and often times women frequently experience overwhelming feelings of burnout.
Women in particular are often expected to juggle both a career and family life, and this can be an exhausting endeavor. Trying to sustain a certain lifestyle while juggling household duties is a heavy load. That anxious feeling that you have when so many people are expecting so much from you but you are only one person. However, you absolutely can't let the ones who depend on you the most down. The thought of this alone is extremely exhausting. It is no surprise that burnout eventually manifests. Burnout can manifest in many ways, such as decreased motivation and productivity, feelings of anxiety or depression, and physical exhaustion.
While we all may have or are currently experiencing burnout, we don't always know how to bounce back or prevent it from occurring again in the future. But there are a few things we can do to prevent the hard hit of burnout and of course, I am here to share the gems.
The first step in preventing and managing burnout is to establish healthy boundaries between work and home life. This means setting aside specific times for work and specific times for family and leisure and sticking to those boundaries. It also means prioritizing what tasks must be completed and delegating the rest. It’s important to recognize that although you have the ability to do it all, it is not feasible for you to actually do it all. Also, please remember is one hundred percent ok to say “no” when you need to.
It’s also vital for your physical, mental, and emotional health to take time for yourself. Schedule time off on your calendar. Make time to do activities that help you relax such as taking a soothing bath, reading a book, or getting some fresh air by going for a walk. Taking time to do something that you enjoy can help to restore your energy and motivation. It’s also important to practice self-care, such as eating healthy meals and getting enough sleep because you need your beauty rest!
Another way to combat burnout is to find your tribe and reach out for support. Talking to friends, family, or a therapist can help to alleviate feelings of stress and anxiety. It can also help to find a community of like-minded women who are going through similar experiences. These support networks can provide much-needed help, advice, and encouragement.
Finally, try to find joy and satisfaction in your work. It can be easy to become overwhelmed by the mundane tasks of running a business and supporting a family, so it’s important to remember the satisfaction that work can bring. Being able to provide for your family and seeing your business succeed can be incredibly rewarding, and these successes should be celebrated.
Burnout is a very real challenge for women who are full-time business owners and full-time mommies, but it doesn’t have to be an insurmountable obstacle. Following the tips outlined above, can definitely help you to manage the daily stressors that come with the territory of being superwoman. But even superheroes have a sidekick because they know they can't do everything by themselves.
