My candles burn at both ends,
It will not last the night. . . . . - Edna St. Vincent Millay


Burnout is a condition caused by unbalance; too much work or responsibility, too little time to do it, over too long a time. We’ve been cruising in the fast lane but we’ve been running on empty.
We think that burnout is something that happens to other people – to workaholics and perfectionists.
But careaholics are also at risk – people who care deeply about their children, work, relationships, parents, siblings, friend, communities, issues, etc.
This sounds like a lot of people I know.
Perhaps we would pay more attention to burnout if it were as dramatic as a heart attack or a stroke.
Sometimes burnout manifests itself as a sense of complete exhaustion.
Taking time off to rest, then resuming working at a slower pace is usually enough to help us recover.
But first-degree burnout – the soul snuffer – comes from living unbalanced for years! - When what was supposed to be a temporary situation becomes a “lifestyle” (key word).
Burnout often begins with illness – anything from a bout of the flu you can’t seem to shake to chronic fatigue syndrome – usually accompanied by depression.
Sometimes it’s hard to distinguish burnout from a creative dryspell, especially if you’re good at denial, which most people are.
When you go to bed exhausted every night, and wake up tired every morning – when no amount of sleep refreshes you, month after weary month – that’s burnout.
Everything’s wrong, terribly out of whack and you haven’t a clue what it is or how to fix it – that’s burnout.
You feel that there isn’t another person on the face of the earth who can help you – and you’re right!
YOU are the only one who can make the “lifestyle” (key word) changes that need to be made: to stop, to take a slower path or make a detour.
If you “find yourself” in the above descriptions, don’t despair.
Talk to your doctor and make some life altering changes/commitments to yourself – now!
Because you’re worth it.