Brooke Henderson’s Post

Burnout and I have been pretty tight over the last 5 years. We generally don’t agree on most things, and at times it’s a pretty toxic relationship. Here was my life in 2019 in a nutshell when I first met Burnout. - Burnout had me in its grip - Anxiety attacks became part of my daily routine - I Ignored the desperate cries of my mind and body. - I pushed myself to the brink of collapse. - My self-worth was tied to an endless cycle of overwork. Now my life in 2024 in a nutshell: - I've prioritised my mental and physical health. - I've set firm boundaries and protected my time. - I've managed to find some sort of balance between ambition and rest. - I've reminded myself of how important my loved ones are to me - I've cultivated a resilient and healthy mindset. That being said, I still struggle 5 out of 7 days a week just to get out of bed. I still battle to fight off the thought of giving it all up, with my fingernails barely clinging onto any array of hope. But unlike before, I realised that burnout was a sign I needed to take a break and focus on my well-being. I've since scheduled dedicated rest days, exercised regularly, spent more time with loved ones, and prioritised sleep. Opening up to those closest to me about my struggles also played a crucial role in my journey to recovery So here’s the advice I want to share with you all. As you begin to start taking care of yourself more consistently, make sure you go tell someone about your struggles. Perhaps the best person to tell isn’t your best friend or family, but maybe a teacher that you respect or a good friend who you aren’t super close with. The first person I opened up to completely was my ensemble teacher, who himself has suffered from severe anxiety and depression throughout his career. He helped me find the courage to tell all my other teachers who were nothing more than supportive, understanding, and caring. It’s very easy to believe that in today’s world, we must work 25 hours a day, and be nothing short of brilliant to be validated as a person. I’m here to tell you that taking time off to take care of your mental health is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of maturity and strength. I know this can be very hard to believe, and that if you stop for even just a second, you will fall so far you can never get back up. But sometimes, we need to take a step back to find some clarity and gain a little bit of perspective of what’s most important in our lives. If taking time off means giving yourself the best chance of: - Getting healthy again - improving your mental fitness - finding inner peace - spending time with loved ones... Then not only will you come back stronger and happier, but you will give yourself every chance to achieve more than you could’ve ever imagined when you return. So as I start to run out of characters, I want to ask you all a few questions. Let's head to the comments section shall we! 👇

You’re finally seeing light after burnout, there are glimmers of hope, motivation, steadier energy & better health But there’s an uncomfortable, niggling feeling….what is that? You don’t feel the same, your personality changed & you know you've made many positive changes, yet could you be missing your life before burnout? 🤷🏽♀️ But you can't get your head around it! How can you miss or even grieve for what caused you to burnout? From my experience & my clients, it's very possible & also natural. I do to this day, miss what I had before Maybe you had a big corporate career where you juggled tasks to tight deadlines, you managed a team, everyone came to you & even though it was high risk, it was high reward! 🥂 You thrived off the drama & the pace! 🏎️🏁 Or maybe what you went through was so big, such a struggle that now you can't get your head around this ‘new you.’ Plus, you don't want to identify yourself with the label of someone who's ‘burnt out.’🧨 Now, even your core values have changed which can alter the direction of your goals. This can leave you feeling like you have a massive void in front of you…🕳️ ‘So then what's next?’ You don't have a plan, which is certainly not the old you! Consider that this isn’t the end of the journey, that the next step may be adjustment. You're trying things on for size. 👟 Unpack those feelings of anger, annoyance or guilt, accept that burnout is unique & not linear & look to lay down new foundations for a different future It can take time, patience & realising that you're grieving what you once had, what you built, what you worked hard for, it's only natural... but now is the time to figure out what ‘balance’ & ‘longer lasting well being’ is to you. 🌈 The old you isn't completely gone! Just take aspects (the ones that serve you) of what you previously loved & try to add them into your new future Need more support as you navigate burnout? Whatever stage you're at, I can help you get through it & come out on top ready for a different way of life 🌻 DM me the word CHAT we'll discuss your struggles & how we can move you forward🌹 #burnout #wellness #corporate #coaching #business

Last month I left my job after suffering from burnout. 2023 was a very challenging year for me, but I didn’t see the signs until my mind and body put a hard stop on me. Looking back, I can clearly see that I had been in survival mode for a long time, consumed with trying to keep on top of everything. I am sharing my experience in the hope that it might help others. As I discovered the hard way, the negative effects of burnout are vast and can spill over into every area of your life, including your home and social life. The symptoms I experienced included chronic fatigue, insomnia, irritability, detachment, cynicism, headaches, skin conditions, neck and shoulder pain and intestinal issues. The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines burnout as a syndrome conceptualised as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. This definition underscores the importance of context – burnout is specifically tied to one’s professional life. People close to me, helpfully pointed out that I was burnt out because of my own actions - I had prioritised work above everything else in my life. Since I knew they were right, I had to address my lifestyle choices and get everything back into balance again. I eventually found the following self-care activities worked well for me: - Firstly, and most importantly, I took the time I needed to rest and restore my energy levels. This was easier said than done. It took me more than 4 weeks to mentally switch my brain off and even longer to feel my body starting to respond to rest. I was unable to stop worrying about work and in the end my partner took my work tech away from me so that I couldn’t keep checking them. - I re-connected with friends. I hadn’t realised I was pushing my social circles away until a couple of my friends made it clear to me. Sharing my situation with other people I trust provided emotional support and perspective. - I found an amazing coach who helped me work through the ‘why’ of how I had got to this point. I tried counselling too, but found it simply wasn’t for me – I really needed a forward-looking approach, but counselling can be very successful in the right situation. - I re-engaged with hobbies. I enjoy being creative, reading, and exercising and I found the act of doing things brought much needed mindfulness. - I took time out for activities just for me. I started having weekly Bowen therapy to address my physical symptoms and fortnightly reflexology sessions to address my mental symptoms. I also began practising daily meditation, yoga and journaling. Simply taking a few moments to be present can really reduce stress and enhance focus and clarity.  - I engaged in regular (daily) physical activity. It doesn’t have to be intense for me, but it does have to include getting fresh air. I am now using this time to decide what direction I want my career to take next and what that will look like for me. #burnout #hr #humanresources #mentalwellbeing

🙋🏻♀️Confessionals of an occasional Burn Out Overachiever🙋🏻♀️ This has been the greatest post of the week that I’ve seen. I’ve read it so many times to ingrain it into my soul. A friend often tells my husband that I run with my hair on fire to knock life out of the park. Many of you do, too. 😜 I see you 🤓 We raise our hands. We show up each and every day. We don’t tolerate bad behavior, and we speak up because it’s the right thing to do. We are on go…ALL the time. We try to make the world a better place as quickly as possible in every aspect of life that we can -leaving no stone unturned 🤣. It can be exhausting for others to watch and maybe even for us sometimes. Truth be told, we don’t really burn out too often if we have time to recharge and are in a supportive environment to do so. I’ve learned a lot about myself while embracing this gal. I don’t need someone to tell me I do too much. I don’t need someone to huff if they don’t like my pace (I’m only chasing me, I promise 🤣). I don’t need someone to criticize me for getting stuff done. I don’t need someone telling me they don’t like the accolades I get. I don’t engage in passive-aggressive behaviors and micromanagers. Please, no micromanaging! (am I right 🎯?) I need freedom to run and freedom to rest. This post has challenged me to think of how I work best: a flexible work environment, plenty of vacation time, supportive leadership, respect for work-life balance, respect for holistic wellness, and a team that laughs together (oh, I need laughter 🤣), and EMPOWERMENT for AWESOMENESS and CREATIVITY. This is what I need: HUMAN CENTRICITY at its best ❤️ This is Me ❤️ I’ve worked hard to get to know her and love her. I’m still working on that each and every day. Cheers, Lotty Roberts, for another AMAZING post. Thanks for reminding me to embrace this version of me. You’re AWESOME. ❤️ To all of you burnout overachievers- be good to YOU. And don’t settle for less. Recharge and be the best version of you! Shine bright 😎 #wellness #knowyourlimits #bekindtoyourself #flyhigh #humancentricleadership #humancentricity #loveyourself #highfiveclub #bekind

Burnout is real. Especially in the helping field. I didn’t realize I was in burnout until I was “in it”. I just kept going. Burnout is progressive. It is felt through thoughts, feelings, and actions. In the beginning of my change of careers back in 2019 I was pumped just like when you start anything new. You give it your “all”. Then came “some” stress. Indecision, uncertainty, some fears, and with this came trying harder which led to headaches, back and neck pain. Then the Pandemic happened. Chronic stress. My symptoms got worse, such as digestive, sleep issues, and the other physical problems still remained. I was now in official burnout. As 2023 started I was in chronic burnout and feeling frustrated, lost, and very “blah”. By end of September I was laid off from a position I did enjoy but was a lot at the same time! (God does for us what we can not do for ourselves) The team is what made it amazing and helped me through the “tough situations”. I miss them!! Did I take a pause after the lay off? Nope. Why would I do that?! I was at habitual burnout. This led to mental and physical fatigue which included symptoms of anxiety, depression, emotional distress, change in appetite, isolation, lack of motivation, and anger. We live in a world where we are defined by our accomplishments, who we are, how many people we help, what we do, how much we do, titles, money, etc. Meanwhile we are suffering physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. We compare our insides with what we see on people’s outsides. Feelings of fear, jealousy, competition, and all these negative emotions that separate us from one another. Is it worth it? How we feel about ourselves is what matters. In return we can show up for others authentically. Feeling content, happy, at peace with ourselves and not having to chase external validation to fill that “whole” is what will bring peace and serenity meanwhile not attaching to these external “things”. When we keep “chasing” it is a constant never ending “chase”. Grateful today that I know I don’t have to live that way. I know my next chapter(s) will be better than the last. ❤️ #cantpourfromanemptycup #burnoutisreal #selfcarefirst #iselflove

I find a lot of the advice given about combating burnout to be completely unhelpful. “Give yourself grace.” “Meditate more”. “Go slower. Take on less work”. These are not always realistic based on your mental health state and the pressures of your job. What I have found very helpful, however, it to just start listening to my body more and what it needs. I found I was beating myself up when I would read an article or listen to a podcast about managing burnout and nothing resonated. But then I realized, I’m the #1 expert when it comes to managing my own stress. And I can honestly say once this clicked for me about three years ago, I have found I have been able to manage my stress better than ever - both in my personal and professional life - despite having jobs with bigger scope and demands, and a toddler to boot! This is what I found has NOT been helpful for me, despite it being a “tried and true” recipe for managing burnout for many: 🧘 Meditation: I envy people who can let thoughts come and go, or turn off the voice in their head for periods of time. I’ve tried. I’ve practiced. My mom is even a yoga teacher. I do not find mediation helpful, I actually get more stressed. 🚫 Fully unplugging: I feel more stress when I take time off and don’t check in on my team or skim through email. I personally like coming back to a manageable inbox and have a sense of what I’m coming back to. I schedule send responses for my return date to avoid back and forth exchanges when out of office What I found most helpful for me: 🚶🏻♀️A walk break during the work day: a hard boundary I have set for myself is I have to move at some point in my work day. Three years ago Carly, I would convince myself I was too busy to take a 15 minute (walk) break when I was feeling stuck and overwhelmed. Trying to push through only made me more unproductive. So rain or shine, snow or hail, I make myself get up and move. Even if it’s just a walk around the block. Not once have I ever come back from a walk feeling more stressed. Getting more exercise - another common anti-burnout suggestion - doesn’t mean having to go to the gym for two hours or train for a half marathon 👩🏻🍳 Cooking: Another suggestion to help with burnout is to find hobbies. I struggled to find hobbies out of the house being a new parent with already limited free time on my hands. But I found a love for cooking. I can count on two hands how many times my husband and I have ordered in this year because of how much joy and stress-relief cooking offers me (this was Friday’s stress relief 👇🏻) So if you’re feeling tired and burnt out, experiment with different approaches to relieve stress. There’s no cookie cutter solution, so don’t beat yourself up if every popular suggestion doesn’t resonate. #mentalhealth #burnout #stressmanagement

🌟 Exciting Announcement! Join me for a 4-week journey diving deep into surviving (and maybe even thriving?) amidst hustle and burnout culture. 🌟 This series is for you if you... 👍 have never heard of burnout/hustle culture, or if you have and want to learn more. 👍 would like to explore how hustle and burnout culture might be impacting your health. 👍 want to know what to do if you find yourself in hustle or burnout culture (hint: we’re all there). 👍 would like to learn skills for discussing mental health within hustle or burnout culture. 👍 make some goals and a plan to start breaking the cycle of burnout. ➡ November 27-December 8: Stuck in the Hustle? A two week intro to hustle & burnout culture, why it “sticks around”, and ways you can break the burnout cycle. ➡December 11-22: Surviving December - Research and data backed coping activities for work, family gatherings, job searches, and everywhere in between ***** ⏰ Would you prefer this series all in once or even in a workbook format? I've got you!! Visit my website (linked below my name) and select "Free Workbooks" to download your copy of "Handbook for Discussing Mental Health in Hustle & Burnout Culture". No strings attached, promise! ***** Like what you see? Don’t be shy - send that connect request and don’t forget to hit that bell 🔔 so you don't miss a post! ***** [Image Description: In bold text, the header reads: "Stuck in a Hustle? A two week series exploring hustle/burnout, why it "sticks around, and ways you can break the cycle." Under this, there is a list of ten items with a checkbox next them. The checkbox is green for the following list items: 1. Introduction. The checkbox is dark blue next to these list items: 2. What is burnout? 3. What is the stress cycle? 4. What is burnout culture? 5. Why do we get stuck? 6. Impacts on mental health 7. Breaking the cycle 8. How do we talk about it? 9. Lets make some goals... 10. and a plan!] #HustleCulture #BurnoutPrevention #MentalHealthAtWork #HolidayWellness #DEIJobs #Diversityandinclusion #EquityatWork #DiversityJobs #DEICareers #EqualityandInclusion #WorkplaceDiversity #DEILeadership #InclusiveWorkCulture #DEIProfessionals #DiverseTalent #DEIConsulting #DiversityRecruitment #HRGeneralist #HumanResources #HRManagement #HRProfessionals #HRLeadership #HRStrategy #HRConsulting #EmployeeRelations #WorkplaceCulture #HRBestPractices #OpenToWork #JobSeeker #SeekingEmployment #OpenToNewOpportunities

Twice I’ve burnt out….or so I thought… … but then I really reflected deeply and realised it was more times than that (Burnout overachiever over here) It just showed up in sneaky and less obvious ways, but the overall effect was carnage that had me floored physically, emotionally or mentally. A broken body, a broken immune system, a broken heart, a broken mind and broken relationships. I could blame them on all kinds of other things and reasons, but they were all led from my inability to both listen to my heart and body, that often were emitting ‘fog horn’ signals. Instead I was led by an addiction to busyness and feeling my worth was related to the external outcomes. I’m not burnt out now - not even close, and I don’t intend ever going back there again. However my commitment to that comes from my admission that burnout is like a gene that lives within me, always waiting for the right conditions to rear it’s head and create deep damage once again. I’m saying this because I see others with possibly that same gene, that don’t notice the internal memo. They also put themselves under the same conditions over and over again and wonder why they end up in that place of burn out hell, in it’s many guises. ❌ A few months off does not heal burnout. ❌ A change of scenery / company where you do the same job in similar conditions does not avoid burnout. ❌Starting your own business does not necessarily prevent burnout. ❌ Cramming 5 days in a 4 day week does not release the valve on burnout building. What stops a burnout relapse…because that’s how I see it…once you burnout a relapse is always a possibility. What avoids that relapse is- ✅Self awareness ✅Personal accountability & action ✅Fierce self compassion ✅Letting go of stuff that doesnt serve you and the need to have it all ✅Clear and big massive boundaries So nowadays my way of never relapsing back into burnout is I crafted a job, business and life that means 👍I work a 9 month year, taking 7 weeks over summer with kids and the rest scattered around the year. 👍I work 30 hours a week tops often less 👍I consciously made a decision not to expand my business so I can easily sustain the hours and rhythm above. 👍I say no a lot and am very clear with my boundaries and limits of what i can and can’t, and will and won’t, do or commit to. 👍I have to prioritise often and walk away from things I’d love to do but saying yes would come at too high a price and compromise my values, 👍I have had to let go of extrinsic values and the external worlds definition of success and use my intrinsic values as my North Star. 👍what’s more I have zero guilt or regrets for any of the work and life style choices I now make. Compromising on the above is a slippery slope, so I have to be resolute. It’s not easy, it’s not for the faint hearted, but it sure makes me feel wholehearted. #burnout #burnoutprevention #emotionalintelligence #mindfulness #selfawareness #boundaries

This is something I used to hide from the world. BURNOUT. 14 years ago, I stood at the helm of a thriving company, revelling in the success that I had worked tirelessly to build while also being on the cusp of motherhood, pregnant with my first son. If you look at it at a first glance, you'd see a thriving woman. Building her own empire while also building her family. Right? I agree. Except, I was burnt out. For a long time I felt like I had to perfect everything and carry the dual burden of leadership and the impending responsibilities of a new parent. I was determined to prove to everyone, including myself, that I could manage it all, that I was the epitome of having my "shit together". But as the pressures mounted, I learned that vulnerability and strength are not mutually exclusive, and that even leaders can falter under the weight of their OWN EXPECTATIONS. The hardest pill to swallow was not even the realisation that I was experiencing burnout, but the acknowledgement that I needed to slow down. As a CEO, the expectation was that I would always push forward. But the more I gave, the more was demanded of me. This cycle of endlessly giving and heightened expectations was unsustainable, and it took a toll on both my personal and professional life. Throughout the years, I learned that burnout does not discriminate based on title or position and that acknowledging the need for help is a crucial step towards recovery. I now speak openly about my journey through burnout, not with embarrassment, but with the hope that my story can inspire others to prioritise their well-being. Here are a few things I've learned throughout the years: Convert your vulnerability into a strength - The first step in my journey was to accept that admitting burnout was not a sign of weakness, but a courageous step towards healing. Vulnerability is a strength, especially in leadership, as it fosters a culture of openness and support within the organisation. Set Clear Boundaries: Learning to say no was pivotal. I had to establish clear boundaries to protect my time, energy, and well-being. This meant delegating tasks, saying no to non-essential meetings, and being mindful of my workload. Prioritise Self-Care: Self-care became non-negotiable. Whether it was a few minutes of meditation, a short walk, or time spent on a hobby, making time for myself helped recharge my batteries and improved my overall resilience. #burnout #selfcare #boundaries #vulnerable #strength

Breaking Through the Fog: A Personal Reflection on Burnout andSelf-Doubt Tribe, For a while, I've been inconsistent on this platform actually, across all my social media. Last week, I even considered closing the curtains here. A few people reached out, asking about my whereabouts and whether l was okay. Thank you for your concern. Just a few days ago, I received some incredible messages from my connections, for example, my friend Akram, sharing how I've helped them transform their lives. It was heart warming and gave me the push I needed. But let me be real with you, I'm human too. I break, I burn out, and sometimes, I lose motivation. That's exactly what's been happening to me since the year began. I've been battling: 1. Self-Doubt 2. Fear of the Future (not the unknown, but the known) 3. Burnout There was a point when I felt like taking a month off from everything and everyone to recharge. I knew I wasn't in my best place, and for the first time, I didn't want to please or take care of anyone--l just wanted to focus on me. But those overwhelming messages gave me the motivation I desperately needed. Though I haven't taken the full break I had envisioned, I realized I also needed that connection and encouragement. It feels good to be back. Here's how I've been tackling burnout and self-doubt: 1. Set Boundaries: I made sure to set clear boundaries with work,social obligations, and even personal relationships. It's okay to say no. 2. Prioritize Self-Care: I carved out time for activities that nurture my mind, body, and spirit-whether it's reading, meditating, or simply taking a walk. 3. Seek Support:I leaned on trusted friends and mentors (Joyce my cytologist mentor), allowing myself to be vulnerable and open about what I was going through. 4. Focus on Small Wins: I shifted my focus from the big picture to the small victories. Celebrating progress, no matter how minor,helped rebuild my confidence. 5. Reaffirm My Purpose: I revisited my 'why' the reason behind what I do and reminded myself of the impact I want to create. Despite everything, I've also transitioned in my career, and I'm looking forward to sharing that with y'all soon. Thank you for the continued support. Dr Hillary.