Decompress

Lately, a lot of people I talk to have been describing “burnout” or talking about feelings of exhaustion.  Some of them are people in their twenties!  

Our environments are key to our wellbeing. It’s not just the physical environment but other emotional aspects of an environment that define it.   Processing the environment through your personal lens will determine your reaction to it.

What exactly do people need to decompress from?  Why is it that I’m hearing more and more stories of exhaustion and burnout? In a recent post I wrote called “Junk Food” I touched on health.  Junk food theory is what you consume physically, intellectually and absorb emotionally.  Is “burnout” an extension of a “Junk Food” diet?

One of my best friends is a psych nurse.  When I mentioned this to her, she said that a lot of people don’t really know what burnout is.  She feels that what they really have is depression. They are affected by their family, friends, life and society. They absorb negativity. 

A lot of people are angry, a lot of people gossip, they keep the news on, they watch junk, they eat junk food, they spend hours on their phone or on social media, they associate with people who are negative, they hate, they fight. It’s no wonder they feel out of sorts or unhappy! 

If you have read my blog posts or followed my posts, you know a little about me. Without speaking to me, you would never know most things about me though. I have met many people who have made assumptions about me without actually talking to me.

When people make assumptions about me, I never correct them.  When people make assumptions, I accept those people as they are. They are not my people. I don’t need to set the record straight with them. I don’t actually have a relationship with them. They are basically strangers.

People suffer burnout because they want to change situations, environments and people.  Sometimes with people they don’t actually know. They don’t know how to set boundaries. Think about this for a minute. Why are you absorbing the opinions and feelings of others? Who are they?

What role do these people play in your life? Do they provide for you, are they a friend who supports you, do you have a real history with them, are they someone kind that you want to know? If the answer is no to these questions, they are strangers. It doesn’t matter.

The one thing that I have learned and that is a constant in all religions and philosophies is, I can only master myself. I can be kind to someone who is unkind to me because I see them as they are. They are unkind.  I am not their friend. I can set a good boundary with them.  They don’t get to change my character.

In the past, I tried to talk to unkind people expecting they might be kind to me if they got to know me.  I was wrong. I wasted time. My expectation was unrealistic. Kindness does not rub off. How can anyone change without introspection.

Work on yourself.  Watch the company that you keep.  Spend time with productive people, kind people, happy people, successful people. People who don’t encourage others to fight, gossip or create division.  Your mental health will benefit.  Your mood will improve. You will find success as you attract better.

What environments are you in? What do you listen to and watch? What are you doing to stay happy? Are you learning and growing, exercising, keeping a healthy diet? Where is the balance in your life?

Burnout comes from feeling overwhelmed. There is career burnout, relational burnout, emotional/mental burnout, physical burnout.  If you no longer love your career, change it.  If your relationships are not satisfying, consider how to improve them or change them.  If you are physically or emotionally drained, rest.  If you are unhappy, find your happiness. Consider professional help if you truly feel stuck. 

At the end of the day, you have to act in your best interest. Working on yourself is the best solution to people who don’t and to situation’s and environments you don’t like. Look to change yourself, be your best, new doors will open. My spiritual life is a big part of my life. It’s how I stay in balance. I am sharing a prayer with you that reminds us to keep our focus on us. Peace. 

A “PRAYER” OF THE NAHUA INDIANS

This is a prayer belonging to the Nahua Indians living in Mexico and El Salvador. It is such a beautiful text and reminder that we can only live our lives:

“I release my mother and father from the responsibility and guilt of the mistakes they unknowingly made.

I release my children from the belief that they should make me proud, so that they can only go in the direction their own hearts call them.

I release my spouse from the obligation to complete me. I am not incomplete; I learn something new from every living being around me every moment.

I thank my family’s ancestors and grandparents for existing in a way that allows me to be alive right now. I release them from their past mistakes and unfulfilled desires. I am aware that each of them strives to act in the most correct way that time and circumstances require. I love and honor them.

I have nothing to hide from anyone, nor do I owe anyone anything. I am who I am.
I release myself from the responsibility of all visible or invisible ties that may overshadow my peace and happiness as I walk my life path, following the wisdom of my heart and being honest with myself.

My own peace and happiness are my sole responsibility.

I release all roles that I have assumed to meet the expectations of others.

I approve of myself and respect myself.

I salute and remind you of the greatness within me and you: We are free.”

💫