I’ve just read your reply to Bethany’s comment, and I completely agree that we seem to be living in a world not designed for humans. I think this is why I’m increasingly finding it so hard to navigate this world - there’s so much I don’t understand or even want to! Social media, technology, AI, reality TV, excessive materialism, obsession with appearance etc etc.
We are moving away from what it is to be human and live a life with real meaning. We seem to forget that we are simply animals, yes with higher levels of intelligence, but still animals with basic simple needs like food, water, shelter, a purpose, safety and love.
Jessica, can I just tell you that your letter came at just the perfect time! Im facing horrible burnout in both my job and life in general because of expectations put on me that are unrealistic at my work. My husband has even said these crazy demands are spilling into our life now. And Im finding that my biggest fear is being considered not enough or bad at my job, when I work super hard and always try and give my best. So thank you, because it was felt like someone giving me permission to not be ok with crazy demands and that Im headed down the right path in setting healthy boundaries. We all run on seasons and summer is time to regroup, rest, and plan for the upcoming school year. Wishing you much rest this summer and thank you for giving me much needed encouragement today! You are awesome and so eloquent with words :)
I'm very familiar with burnout, unfortunately. In recent years, I've been more conscious of my energy levels and choices. Today, for example, I've decided to take the day off. Much love to you.
Bravo Jess to speak up and to acknowledge that you need to slow down! That's the hardest part in my book. I've dealt with burnout and depression in 2021/2022 and I must say that restorative yoga have mad miracles for me. The pure gift of being held. Also, I decide to *always* prioritize the tasks that help my nervous system to be calm instead of the ones who stress me out, even the ones related to my work.
I know it's a privilege to be able to slow down and take less work, but for me it was essential. And if it's not possible for someone, take it one day at the time, one slow day at the time :)
Jun 1, 2023·edited Jun 1, 2023Liked by Jessica Rose Williams
I was just today feeling overstimulated and overwhelmed by all the information overload, distractions and wasted time the internet is for me just now and reading your piece i realise i am taking in too much and my brain is on burn out which leads to my body feeling drained and my soul feeling disconnect to the truth of living. I got lost there for a moment in all the constructed stuff and forgot that i can choose to take a social media, or even technology break.
Thank you for this, and like others have said it has come at a time when I needed to hear it. I have to admit I really didn't know what was wrong with this week as I am off work but just not enjoying myself but as I started to listen to you first few sentences I sat thinking this is me, me right now and how I am feeling. As my week has gone on I have felt more and more low and struggled around my loved ones feeling angry and annoyed that I am wasting my time off, not doing anything constructive but at the same time just not having the energy or want to do the many things I could do.
I will read over this again and again and try to find my way through.
“Nobody is coming to save you”. I had a tshirt made with this printed on it. To remind myself that I can do anything by myself. It might be harder, take more effort and take longer...but I can still do it!
Thank you Jessica. You touched on it a bit, although I'd like to highlight the fact that burnout is not simply work or task driven. In my case, I believe I have emotional and spiritual burnout, which results in the same frustration, fatigue and feeling lost majority of the time.
Through self work I am learning that this can stem from not being aligned with my personal values in everyday life and decisions made. If we look at it like we do burnout from workload, and we keep laying layer upon layer of unaligned self-energy output and ignored boundaries and people pleasing and not taking chances for ourselves, then the results of burnout are the same. The layers have piled so high that we are left numb, constricted and confused, not knowing which way to turn.
In relation to Andrea and Jess' comments, I do believe that simplicity is the key. I know that is exactly what I yearn for the most when I am at complete emotional burnout - the simple life. Yes, maybe because of the burnout, running away from everything and living off grid in the middle of nowhere in a fully renovated cabin like the ones you see on social media lol would be amazing! But that is not the long term simplicity I am truly seeking. It is, as you said, the simplicity of what already surrounds us. The simplicity that is already with us and giving us what we need. We just need to clear the layers and let it be discovered for what it is to each and everyone of us. Let the simplicity flow for you x
Wonderful post! I really enjoyed reading it. I’m actually looking for a little advice if you and your readers mind helping? 🤞🏻
A close family member has had a lot going on the last few months and she seems to have come to me for help and support, which was fine.
However, this constant emotional support and taking her to various hospital appointments is really starting to burn me out. You see, I had a baby only 3 months ago and so far my maternity leave has been spent supporting my relative and not spent resting, recovering or enjoying my newborn.
I don’t want to be rude to my relative but it’s getting to be too much now and it’s impacting my health. What can I do to put boundaries in place but without being rude to her? I really just wish she (and everyone else) would leave me alone and I could enjoy my maternity leave.
Sorry for being so negative in your comments, Jessica. But I’m feeling a little desperate at the moment. Any advice would be greatly appreciated 🤍
This is really timely Jess. I've just written about not knowing what my purpose in life is. I had to have an interview at work when my baby was 6 months old, I didn't get the job, which was essentially the job I've been doing for the last 2 years and everything since seems so overwhelming. I think now I have two children the thought of going back to works is hugely overwhelming. I was so looking forward to it after my first 🫠
Hi Jess,
I’ve just read your reply to Bethany’s comment, and I completely agree that we seem to be living in a world not designed for humans. I think this is why I’m increasingly finding it so hard to navigate this world - there’s so much I don’t understand or even want to! Social media, technology, AI, reality TV, excessive materialism, obsession with appearance etc etc.
We are moving away from what it is to be human and live a life with real meaning. We seem to forget that we are simply animals, yes with higher levels of intelligence, but still animals with basic simple needs like food, water, shelter, a purpose, safety and love.
Jessica, can I just tell you that your letter came at just the perfect time! Im facing horrible burnout in both my job and life in general because of expectations put on me that are unrealistic at my work. My husband has even said these crazy demands are spilling into our life now. And Im finding that my biggest fear is being considered not enough or bad at my job, when I work super hard and always try and give my best. So thank you, because it was felt like someone giving me permission to not be ok with crazy demands and that Im headed down the right path in setting healthy boundaries. We all run on seasons and summer is time to regroup, rest, and plan for the upcoming school year. Wishing you much rest this summer and thank you for giving me much needed encouragement today! You are awesome and so eloquent with words :)
I'm very familiar with burnout, unfortunately. In recent years, I've been more conscious of my energy levels and choices. Today, for example, I've decided to take the day off. Much love to you.
Bravo Jess to speak up and to acknowledge that you need to slow down! That's the hardest part in my book. I've dealt with burnout and depression in 2021/2022 and I must say that restorative yoga have mad miracles for me. The pure gift of being held. Also, I decide to *always* prioritize the tasks that help my nervous system to be calm instead of the ones who stress me out, even the ones related to my work.
I know it's a privilege to be able to slow down and take less work, but for me it was essential. And if it's not possible for someone, take it one day at the time, one slow day at the time :)
I was just today feeling overstimulated and overwhelmed by all the information overload, distractions and wasted time the internet is for me just now and reading your piece i realise i am taking in too much and my brain is on burn out which leads to my body feeling drained and my soul feeling disconnect to the truth of living. I got lost there for a moment in all the constructed stuff and forgot that i can choose to take a social media, or even technology break.
https://solaceforest.substack.com/notes
Being new to your letters, the two I have received so far have been absolutely ME!!
so nice not to be alone paddling and going nowhere!!
Thanks.
Heather x
Thank you for this, and like others have said it has come at a time when I needed to hear it. I have to admit I really didn't know what was wrong with this week as I am off work but just not enjoying myself but as I started to listen to you first few sentences I sat thinking this is me, me right now and how I am feeling. As my week has gone on I have felt more and more low and struggled around my loved ones feeling angry and annoyed that I am wasting my time off, not doing anything constructive but at the same time just not having the energy or want to do the many things I could do.
I will read over this again and again and try to find my way through.
Thank again Jessica xx
The lessons in scaling back are so necessary aren’t they. Lovely piece and hope you are ok. ✨🪄 🐢
“Nobody is coming to save you”. I had a tshirt made with this printed on it. To remind myself that I can do anything by myself. It might be harder, take more effort and take longer...but I can still do it!
Thank you Jessica. You touched on it a bit, although I'd like to highlight the fact that burnout is not simply work or task driven. In my case, I believe I have emotional and spiritual burnout, which results in the same frustration, fatigue and feeling lost majority of the time.
Through self work I am learning that this can stem from not being aligned with my personal values in everyday life and decisions made. If we look at it like we do burnout from workload, and we keep laying layer upon layer of unaligned self-energy output and ignored boundaries and people pleasing and not taking chances for ourselves, then the results of burnout are the same. The layers have piled so high that we are left numb, constricted and confused, not knowing which way to turn.
In relation to Andrea and Jess' comments, I do believe that simplicity is the key. I know that is exactly what I yearn for the most when I am at complete emotional burnout - the simple life. Yes, maybe because of the burnout, running away from everything and living off grid in the middle of nowhere in a fully renovated cabin like the ones you see on social media lol would be amazing! But that is not the long term simplicity I am truly seeking. It is, as you said, the simplicity of what already surrounds us. The simplicity that is already with us and giving us what we need. We just need to clear the layers and let it be discovered for what it is to each and everyone of us. Let the simplicity flow for you x
Wonderful post! I really enjoyed reading it. I’m actually looking for a little advice if you and your readers mind helping? 🤞🏻
A close family member has had a lot going on the last few months and she seems to have come to me for help and support, which was fine.
However, this constant emotional support and taking her to various hospital appointments is really starting to burn me out. You see, I had a baby only 3 months ago and so far my maternity leave has been spent supporting my relative and not spent resting, recovering or enjoying my newborn.
I don’t want to be rude to my relative but it’s getting to be too much now and it’s impacting my health. What can I do to put boundaries in place but without being rude to her? I really just wish she (and everyone else) would leave me alone and I could enjoy my maternity leave.
Sorry for being so negative in your comments, Jessica. But I’m feeling a little desperate at the moment. Any advice would be greatly appreciated 🤍
As a small business owner, wife and mum add onto that the peri menopause I’m constantly feeling burnt out with day to day life.
Just the trials of getting seen online so people can see my makes is exhausting.
We’ve just finished a wonderful family break in the Isle of Wight and im so rested and ready to get back to it but this time with limits in place.
Thank you for sharing and showing us that we are not alone 🧡
This is really timely Jess. I've just written about not knowing what my purpose in life is. I had to have an interview at work when my baby was 6 months old, I didn't get the job, which was essentially the job I've been doing for the last 2 years and everything since seems so overwhelming. I think now I have two children the thought of going back to works is hugely overwhelming. I was so looking forward to it after my first 🫠