What I wish I’d known about Burnout
I’m one of those people who is now no longer afraid to admit, accept and share that a few years ago I was very unwell. I burned out in dramatic style and was plunged into the darkest time of my life.
I was so focused on doing my best in my role as HR, helping others with their issues and problems, juggling a huge amount of highly complex, sensitive and challenging topics that I forgot about ME, about MY basic needs, about ensuring I had the strength and resilience to help myself first BEFORE I helped other people.9
I tried pushing through the pain, like I was trying to run through quicksand, fighting to do the best I could do for the employees, managers and project teams I was responsible for. I fought hard to keep a scaffolding up around me, a facade as I couldn’t possibly let people know that in reality I was crumbling inside. Every employee wanting 5 minutes for a chat, every email with a problem to solve, every project that wanted my views felt like another brick in the wall that of course I eventually hit – and I hit is because I’m human, because my belief was that it was my sole purpose to be strong, available, understanding. I couldn’t let anyone down, people relied on me to help and support them, didn’t they? I hit it because I didn’t take responsibility for myself first. I ignored the glaringly obvious signs and the overwhelm for too long and paid the price.
So, what do I wish I had known? – here’s some of my personal learnings 😊
Burnout is a ‘thing’! It is real!
It can happen to anyone regardless of the perception the external world has of you
Burnout can simmer away for months, years before hitting crisis point
Pretending you’re ‘fine’ doesn’t work
Asking for help is life changing
Pressing pause doesn’t make you weak or a failure – it’s essential
Unplugging is the hardest but most rewarding way of preventing and/or recovering from Burnout
Relationships you have will change – some will flourish, some won’t survive and that is absolutely ok
And the most important thing is that it can be prevented!!!
One of the biggest reasons I created HR FOR HR was to ensure that the HR profession has a place that answers the question ‘who looks after HR?....’ I focus on YOU…… YOUR wellbeing, preventing burnout, reducing overwhelm and exploring the tools and methods of how you can start with you first as a way of life not a tick box.
If something on this blog has caused a tingle, pop me an email at claire@hrforhr.co.uk and we can arrange a chat about how you can put your oxygen mask on first and not just as a one off 😊
Much love
CR x
