Once you crawl up and out of the burnout pit, you’re in recovery. I’m finding recovery lasts a very, very long time.
Life happens. You have things you have to do that deplete the energy you’ve stored…possibly borrowing from stores you haven’t built up yet. It might feel like you’re sliding back down into the pit. But if you’re mindful to continue with your recovery and not falling back into old habits, you’ll get there.
How do you know when you’re in recovery? I’m no expert. I’m not out of recovery yet. So, I’m going to refer once again to Becca Syme’s Quitcast: Writer Burnout and Recovery Again, her videos are geared toward writers, but there’s a wealth of information for those in recovery.
Truthfully, I’m not sure where the line between the pit and recovery lies. I don’t know when I crawled over the edge, but here’s how I know I’m in recovery:
1. I’ve changed my habits/mindset
I truly believe I’m in recovery because my eyes have been opened to the lies I was believing that pushed me into burnout in the first place. As I mentioned in my prior burnout posts, God used my experience to expose the lie I believed about my worth. That lie pushed me to work harder, to produce more, to put my work above other things that should have had higher importance in my life–including God Himself.
The lie I believed was so deeply rooted within me that I still have be vigilant. I have to be self aware to notice when I’m starting to slide into old habits and remind myself of the truth. But I have to be intentional.
“So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world.” – 1 Peter 1:13
“ Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.” – Colossians 3:2
“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” – Proverbs 4:23
2. I have more energy
When I was in the pit, I needed a nap by 10 am. I had so little energy it was pathetic. I rarely need a nap these days. I have enough energy to get through the day. As God promises:
“In His kindness God called you to share in His eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, He will restore, support, and strengthen you, and He will place you on a firm foundation.” – 1 Peter 5:10
“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” – James 5:16
“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.” – Matthew 6:33
3. I’m writing again
The proof is in the pudding. I never understood that expression, but you know what I mean. I know I’m back where He wants me because I’m able to write again.
Before burnout, much of my thoughts were blog posts or scenes from whatever book I was working on. When I’d go for a walk or when I was doing mindless chores, either a blog post was forming in my mind or I was in Ariboslia watching something play out.
Burnout changed that. I couldn’t think of a blog post or imagine Ariboslia to save my life.
But it’s back. I’m posting blogs and writing the prequel to Ariboslia. It’s slower than it was before because I’ve changed my mindset. Now, I’m enjoying what I write when I can, but I’m not pushing myself.
In Becca Syme’s Quitcast: Writer Burnout and Recovery, she discusses the importance of learning what caused you to slide into the pit in the first place to keep from falling back in. There’s always something to learn from difficulties. It’s an opportunity to grow and become more and more what God created us to be…closer to His Son, Jesus Christ. The Skit Guys do a beautiful job of illustrating this in their video, The Chisel.
If you’re going through difficulty, whether it’s burnout or something else that God is allowing, know that He uses all things for our good to transform us to look more and more like His Son.
“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them. For God knew His people in advance, and He chose them to become like His Son, so that His Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” – Romans 8:28-29
“So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like Him as we are changed into His glorious image.” – 2 Corinthians 3:18
Being conformed to look more like Christ is a painful process. But going through fires and coming out more refined and more Christ-like is worth it. Whatever you’re going through, keep your eyes fixed on Christ.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.” – Hebrews 12:1-2
You are loved,
J F Rogers