It's been a while since I posted on Untethered Realms last. In fact, I think it might have been well over a year. Eek. Sorry guys.
I would have liked to say my absence was due to my sold-out international book tour, or that signing the books during that tour sprained my typing hand... But no.
Unfortunately, the reasons for my absence is an old, familiar friend to writers everywhere... burnout.
It's probably funny to see burnout referred to as a friend, but I did conclude that, while burnout is a thorny fellow, he actually is kinda good to have around. Why? He has a way of making us step back and reassess.
On my side, I'm pretty much consistently go go go, even in the worst of circumstances (of which last year was basically one crap situation extended over about 200 days), but being this way comes at a high cost to my physical and mental health.
By the end of those 200 or so days, my buddy burnout came over, seemingly to stay. I pushed on regardless because I had to, straight through Christmas. And by the third week of January, I was physically ill.
At which point burnout grabbed me by the neck, made me look it square in the eyes, and told me, "You can't go on like this, Misha. Seriously come on."
So to a large extent, being sickly plus burned out was the impetus I needed to take a harsh look at myself and... well... get a grip on some really bad habits I have.
At the same time, I'm also having to look at every aspect of my life and how I'm spending my time, because I simply can't keep going on the way I did and expect for my exhaustion to go away. So at least for now, I've cut way back on everything I possibly can, in the hopes that I can open up my days and start fitting things in, somehow in a way that makes better sense.
And none of these things would have happened if I hadn't burned out, even if it was seriously damaging to my health.
So yeah. Not necessarily a bad guy, burnout.
Do you burn out sometimes? Have you burned out recently? Did burning out make you reconsider your habits and lifestyle?
I agree burnout isn't necessarily a bad guy. I've been having a minor one lately. Getting a lot of organizing done outside of writing and marketing. That sort of cleaning is good for thinking over things. Burnout has helped me be easier on myself, so he doesn't have to do all the heavy work!
ReplyDeleteYeah exactly. It's all about learning to listen and take his advice. He's quite sensible once you get to know him. ;-)
DeleteI've had burnout from time to time. It's never fun, but it forces me to look at how I'm doing this and make changes.
ReplyDeleteBurn-out is a lesson. Sometimes a painful lesson, but an opportunity as well.
ReplyDeleteI hope you can stay with the positive changes and regain your health (and your writing mojo).
Yeah definitely. We never seem to learn to rest until we're forced to.
DeleteOh yes, i have suffered burn out and, usually, one's health is the main wake up call. Sometimes, we don't see..or want to see that what we are doing is just too much for our body to bare. Take the time you need and get healthy!
ReplyDeleteVery true. I'm kind of glad that I've made myself take more of a step back. It's quite a relief, to be honest.
DeleteBurnout is never fun, but yeah, I agree, it's helpful in letting us know when to slow down. I'd easily push myself to the brink otherwise. (And have come close to it many times.) Hope cutting back helps you balance everything better!
ReplyDeleteYeah I'm the same. And honestly, I think part of why I'm getting such frequent burnouts was because I've kept pushing past my threshold so many times since 2014.
DeleteHi Misha - burnout is so difficult ... I had it for years when my Ma and uncle were ill - so completely understand ... one just keeps going somehow - until enough is enough. I'm glad you're feeling better about things ... and are still on the road to helping yourself ... take care - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteSometimes it frustrates me because I have so much I want to do, but right now, I'm trying to listen to what I need so I can get back on track.
DeleteBurnout does make you reevaluate things that is for sure. *wave* Juneta
ReplyDeleteYep. *wave*
DeleteBurnout is so troublesome to me. I want to work, but my brain doesn't let me sometimes. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeletewww.ficklemillennial.blogspot.com
Yeah it's the same with me. And just when I feel like I can finally get back to what I want to do, something pushes me straight back in. :-/
DeleteHaven’t burned out to the point of physical heath failing, but have definitely gotten to where I couldn’t make myself do anything creative. Then it’s time to go hiking :). Of course, now I’m in danger of burning out on hiking. Maybe the problem is being an obsessive personality? :D
ReplyDeleteHahahahahaha yeah it could be.
DeleteI haven't really thought about it that way, but it could be.