Hello and welcome to a new week at Humbly Courageous. I am always happy you are here! School has started back, and I got my oldest moved back into college. We are settling back into a routine, which always makes life a little easier for me. I like knowing what to expect (as much as possible). Next week, my youngest gets his driver’s license, and well, yeah I can’t even think about that without getting teary eyed. Gone will be the days when I’m needed in that way. The end of an era. As grueling as all that shuttling around can be when you are in the midst of it, you can also sense that one day when it’s over you will miss certain parts abut it. Especially the car talks, IYKYK! So, life will press on as it does and I will learn to roll with the changes because I have to. Just a little life update in our world!
Burnout- as defined by Miriam Webster is “exhaustion of physical or emotional strength or motivation usually as a result of prolonged stress or frustration”. Likely everyone reading this has experienced burnout multiple times in their life spanning over multiple areas. It happens. Usually, it’s temporary, and you can either stop doing whatever is causing the burnout, or the situation eventually ends. But, what happens when you are trapped in a burnout with no escape?
Living my life with a disability is constant in and out of burnout with my physical difficulties. I get so tired of the grind of it, and I long for just one physically “easy” day. But, it’s never come and there’s a good chance it never will. That truth can be spirit crushing at times.
How does one deal with a chronic state of burnout that’s inescapable? As frustrating as it is, there is really no good one answer for this question. Some days, it can just feel so all encompassing. The really bad days when the weakness just takes over on a different level. Those that live with MD know exactly what I mean.
It's tough to find someone to talk to about it because there are few people who want to hear about your inescapable burnout day in and day out. So, a lot of those feelings get internalized, and can be very detrimental to your mental health if you don't have some kind of outlet for that level of prolonged frustration. Learning over the course of my life, how in the world to deal with these feelings has been, and continues to be, a hard fought battle. Some days I feel like I am winning, but many days I don't. The bottom line is, I know if I completely lose my motivation, I will lose my will to live, and that is just not an option! God willing, I still have a lot of life to live and I want to do my best to live it well.
Starting this blog nearly four years ago was just on a whim after a church service I attended. The pastor encouraged us to do something that made us a little afraid, and was that was outside of our comfort zone, in order to help us get out of a rut. I didn't realize how my consistency would pay off in such a positive way. Before starting it, I didn't really share much about my disability. I can now say that it has, by far, been the most healing and rewarding thing that I do to combat those feelings I spoke about above. Throwing yourself into your work, or you hobbies can be just the thing you need to deal with inescapable burnout. I have some big plans surrounding my writing that I have spoken into a reality of something I am working towards. I think having things in your life to work towards, to always keep your mind moving is important too. I don't mean staying so busy you don't have time to think, but I do mean having something that challenges you and is outside of your comfort zone. It keeps things interesting, and it gives you that outlet you need when having those overwhelming thoughts of inescapable burnout.
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| My college boy ❤️ |
With big changes right around the corner for me as a mother, these feelings of inescapable burnout somehow seem to be coming back down on me like a ton of bricks. For so many years, my life has been about my children in large part, and that has been the most beautiful and wonderful blessing of all. I think that realizing that my role is shifting in a way where I am not needed as much, is making me squirm a bit. It's making me uncomfortable and maybe some of my realities aren't as easily overshadowed. I wish I had the antidote for inescapable burnout. For some, it is just unavoidable and that can be difficult to process. It can be maddening to face on some days. On those days, we just have to humbly courageously do our best to keep moving forward. One day at a time, just keep going. Never underestimate the power of a good cry too, and rest when your body needs it. Sometimes we need that to cleanse the soul and move forward. Set your sights on new beginnings, and go boldly and bravely forward into the new light. 💚
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| My baby 🥹❤️ |
One day at a time, keeping in mind that the lower in the valley we come to, the higher the mountain top is awaiting us. Life is full of peaks and valleys. It took me a bit of time to realize it. But when I was able to see it for what it is, I saw hope was there. We at times may not feel it possible at the lowest ebbs in our life. It is darkest just before the dawning of a new glorious day. Days sometimes stretching into a week or more, but the dawn is waiting us, if we can just hold on believing God will get us through it all. One day at a time, minute by minute sometimes. Physically, mentally, spiritually our bodies are taxed to the max at times. And I am amazed that we humans still keep going and know that it is by the grace of God that we do so.
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ReplyDeleteDecent simultaneous website translation in English should be available.