If you’ve experienced burnout before, you know what the pit is like–
- Exhaustion
- Difficulty sleeping despite exhaustion
- Inability to focus
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Feeling guilty that you’re incapable of accomplishing more
- Feeling empty…like there’s nothing left to give
The burnout pit looks a lot like depression. But, if you’ve read my prior posts, The Struggle is Real and The Slippery Slope, you probably want me to get right into how to escape this nasty pit. To do this, you need to conserve and renew your energy.
How?
As I mentioned in both posts, the first this to do is…
Step 1: Spend Time with God
Start using what little energy you have to sit with the Provider of energy and strength. Let Him renew you.
“Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28
“He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.” – Isaiah 40:29
“But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” – Isaiah 40:31
Step 2: Rest
Why do so many of us feel so guilty for resting? It’s a very Biblical concept. Even God rested. And He commands we do the same–for our own good and for the good of those around us.
“Six days you shall labor, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even during the plowing season and harvest you must rest.” – Exodus 34:21
In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat—for he grants sleep to those he loves.” – Psalm 127:2
Step 3: Feed Your Energy
Phones need a battery. Cars need gas. Everything that runs needs energy and has an energy source.
People are no different. We need food, yes. But we need much more.
God created this beautiful world. He created the people who produce beautiful work. He gave each of us personalities that are energized by many of these wonders He’s provided.
For example, I love the ocean. I live near the ocean. I never see the ocean. Why? I’m too busy.
Remember that old saying, “Take time to stop and smell the roses?” Yeah. Do that. There’s so much wisdom in that very basic concept.
I was so driven to write and market my books that I felt guilty for spending time doing anything I enjoyed that didn’t contribute to my goals. But spending time enjoying the ocean, reading a book, watching a movie–those things renew, restore, and inspire me! They contribute to my goals more than I realized. Plus, by taking time to do those things, I energize myself to help avoid burnout.
So, find the things that bring you joy–that fill your energy bucket–and do those things (assuming they are things of which God would approve. You know when He doesn’t approve).
“That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.” – Ecclesiastes 3:13
Step 4: Conserve Your Energy
When the battery in your phone or computer is low, they go into preservation mode. You need to do the same.
You have a life–responsibilities. You need to use some of the energy you have each day to care for your family, do your job, whatever those things are that MUST get done. But be realistic about what is a MUST get done as you pull yourself out of the pit.
Is it okay to let your house clutter up a bit while you’re climbing out of the pit? Yes. Give yourself permission to ease up on things that aren’t imperative.
Is it okay to ask for help? Yes. If there are people around you who are willing and able to help, ask them. This helps in many ways: 1) it gives you the help you need…even if it’s not the way you want, 2) it’s humbling…we often need a good humbling, and 3) you will likely form a special bond with that person…something you would’ve missed out on.
But, first and foremost, focus on recovering. Do what you can, when you can, but avoid using up all your energy if possible.
“But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” – Luke 10:40-42
Step 5: Take it Slow
When you find yourself near the top of the pit, if you’re like me, you’ll probably use up all your energy climbing over the edge and find yourself falling back in. Don’t do that. Take the time that is necessary to climb out. Don’t be in too much of a hurry.
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” – Romans 12:12
Step 6: Reevaluate
Look back on all you were doing that brought you to this lowly state and see if you can figure out the cause. Quite possibly, there’s a lie (or a few lies) the devil if feeding you and you’re eating it up.
For me, I had just left a great paying job to focus on my writing. I felt I needed something to show for it. That I hadn’t made a mistake. Also, I’d worked my entire life. In the corporate world, you’re paid based on the value you provide to the company.
The lie I believed: Your value is based on what you earn.
Since I publish my own books, my husband and I pay for every aspect of each book–an editor, a cover artist, marketing, etc. I wasn’t earning anything. Each book cost more than I earned.
This deficit and the strong belief in the lie pushed me harder and harder…
Thankfully, God sent some incredibly encouraging brothers and sisters in Christ to share how my books have impacted them. In one case, the final book in the Ariboslia series, Aloft, exposed a lie a woman was believing and brought her freedom from depression!
THAT is worth more than all the money in the world.
Her news was the catalyst I needed to expose the the lie I believed…and the megaphone God used to ensure I finally got the message, “Keep writing.”
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” – John 10:10
Step 7: Keep Praying
Only God knows exactly what YOU need. Ask Him to search your heart and expose any lies you might be believing that are driving you to…or keeping you in…the burnout pit.
“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” – Psalm 139:23-24
“pray continually,” – 1 Thessalonians 5:17
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” – Philippians 4:6
For more in depth, practical advice on escaping the pit, check out Becca Syme’s Quitcast: Writer Burnout and the Ladder. Again, it’s for writers, but there is so much to glean about the pit and how to climb out. This was an incredibly helpful resource for me.
If you’re in the pit, I pray God gives you wisdom and helps you out. It’s not a fun place to be at all. But there is always hope. You can do this.
You are loved,
J F Rogers