Burned out? Choose Change.

“We cannot choose our external circumstances, but we can always choose how we respond to them.” - Epictetus

I've talked with a lot of people who are experiencing burnout recently.

"I'm just feeling done, you know? Burned out."

Themes have been feelings of overwhelm, emotionally shattered, and complete lack of motivation. It seems to be coming from all angles. At home, at work, life. No one area. So many events in the world and this last year - it sounds like we're in need of a change.

So then, what do you do when you feel burned out? How do you work through it? How do you avoid it?

Here is what's worked for me: identity what I can control and make a change.

Rather than feeling burned out with a complete incapacity to control what's in my life, I have decided to focus on the things I do control and take small steps to change.

Whatever you can control, whatever you have agency over - recognize you have the ability to make a change.

Recognize. Acknowledge. Decide.

It can be big or small. Decide to take a day off work. Ignore that notification. Go for a walk. Play with your pet. Engage with your kids. Have an intentional conversation with your partner. Don't worry about where think you should be - be present with where you are right now.

We all feel burnout at different times in our lives. The goal is to recognize when we're feeling it and choose a different path.

Being burned out does not have to be our way of life.

We can take ownership and decide on a different path.

We can choose change.