No, It’s Not Burnout (And, no, more “self-care” isn’t going to help)

For more years than I can count, I suffered from burnout.

At least that was what I told myself.

I’ve been an entrepreneur for a really long time (since 1998—I know, I’m old). And for a decent chunk of those years, I found myself experiencing burnout after burnout.

The cycle was always the same. I’d be fine for a while, and then I would start to suffer from overwhelm, then anxiety, and then exhaustion, until I would finally hit a wall and spend a week in front of the television watching Lifetime movies.

Then, just as slowly, I would painfully climb back out of that place and start working again. And I’d be fine. For a while. But then, the cycle would begin again.

Of course, what I thought (and what everyone told me) is that I needed more self-care. So, I dutifully scheduled massages, went on more walks, took more breaks, and changed my diet.

Didn’t matter. The cycle continued.

For years.

I added meditation and journaling to the mix.

Still the same results.

I even changed my business, how I worked, and my systems.

Nope. Still burned out.

Then, my mother got sick. And about six months before she died, I got the hit to start writing fiction again.

My initial reaction was to push that little hit away.

I didn’t have time to write fiction! My mother was sick. I had a business to run. I couldn’t be wasting time writing fiction! I was already burned out, and I needed to focus on “real” work.

But the voice persisted. Write fiction.

By this time in my life, I had enough experience to know I ignored that voice at my own peril. Life has a sneaky way of bringing you to your knees if you decide to ignore the gentle nudges.

(Two-by-fours, anyone?)

So, despite all my misgivings and arguments about lack of time, I started carving out a few minutes every day to get back to writing fiction.

It was the best thing I could have done. It cured my burnout cycle.

Eventually, I came to realize the real source of my burnout. It wasn’t that I wasn’t taking good enough care of myself or taking enough breaks.

It was because I wasn’t honoring my muse.

My creativity NEEDED to be expressed.

Period.

It was non-negotiable.

Now, let’s talk about you.

Are you honoring your creative nature? If not, could that be the source of your overwhelm and burnout, too?

I know it can feel scary, but carving out a little time every day to work on a creative project could be a gamechanger for you. It doesn’t matter if you start a novel, write a poem, make jewelry, or paint.

All that matters is that you spend time doing what makes your soul sing.

It doesn’t have to be anything you show anyone. You don’t have to have any plans to monetize it, or do anything with it, other than just enjoy the process.

It can just be for YOU and your mental health.

And, if this is calling you (even if you’re feeling terrified or trying to talk yourself out of it), I invite you to join me in a 30-Day Creative Challenge.

All it takes is a small amount of time (as little as five minutes a day) and an activity that makes your soul sing.

My hope you take on this challenge, as it could be the transformation you’ve been looking for.

And, if you get stuck, or find yourself unable to move forward, it’s likely because you have some mindset blocks. My Love-Based Money and Mindset book can help.