Episode 98: Desperate for a pause, with no break in sight, & she didn’t even know it was burnout!

Living in Toronto, Ontario, Gladys spoke about a particular time in her life during 2020/2021 where she faced extra demands in her work role, as well as marital discord as the relationship with her now ex-husband had taken a toll on her. Flooded with demands at work and on the go in her multifaceted work role and then only to return home to a negative and intense environment dealing with some tough interactions. She describes that there wasn’t really a place for her to really think she can sit down and breathe. Her mind was racing, between tasks, and thinking ahead, and preparing for the next thing before the current task is even completed. Work friends, faith community, and close heart connections are all involved in her story. It was her work colleagues who initiated an intervention to help her recognize the burnout she was facing, specifically because she was unaware of it. Initially the approach being gentle, recommending extended time off or taking a sabbatical, or encouraging her to take her vacation days. She also received messages to slow down, she endured physiological symptoms such as headaches, neck and back pain, difficulty sleeping, and overall body pain. For a long time, Gladys sat with denial, and whatever discomfort she did experience, she chalked it up to other reasons other than what was truly going on with her. After consistent messages over time, she started to contemplate the physical pain and her sleep deprivation, seeing as she was unable to stay asleep for any length of time, she started to relate her experience to the intensities of what she had been enduring in that season. Gladys expressed that it took a village to realize the state that she was in. During this difficult time, she spent a great deal of time ruminating, she shifted towards the ‘freeze’ response, as she didn’t have time to feel her feelings, didn’t feel present, and was unable to connect emotionally to people. Her key message to the listeners is that: pay attention to the people who care for you, notice the message in what is being communicated to you; stay away from reasoning or downplaying; be intentional and build and surround yourself with supports and lean on them; don’t be afraid to pause and take time off when you need it.

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