Tag Archives: burnout

Where I’ve Been for Six Months (and what comes next)

Posted in Normal People Things, She. Me. Her., Work Life, You + Me = Us by

It’s been six months since I last blogged. I didn’t plan to disappear, but life took over, and I want to tell you how it went.

The job search

The job market is, for lack of better phrase, hot garbage right now. I submitted SO MANY applications and I never heard back from most of them. I got a few interviews–even a couple of second interviews that I thought for sure I had in the bag–and my heart was crushed when the rejection came back. I tried not to take it personally, but with an already bruised ego it felt like adding insult to injury every time. So when I finally got an offer from the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, I was absolutely elated! I accepted the position and I really enjoy my new job. The team is great, my boss is cool, and I’m doing work that aligns with my values again.

The trips

Thankfully I had some trips planned (and paid for) before I got laid off, so my unemployment wasn’t just spent applying for jobs. I took a weekend trip to Charleston, South Carolina with my dear friend Kathy and had an absolute BALL. We ate so much delicious food, saw absolutely beautiful nature, and hit up the local landmarks. Charleston has a rich history and it was amazing to learn more about the city. My husband and I also took a trip to Atlanta, Georgia to celebrate his 40th birthday. That was a great time as well; he’s a big baseball fan so we made sure to get prime tickets to see the Braves plan. We also got to channel our inner Vin Diesel and go around a racing track in a Porsche! That was a thrill for sure…but now I’m certain “NASCAR driver” is NOT a career I ever want to go into.

The question I couldn’t stop asking

Somewhere in the middle of all this, I started asking myself if I wanted to keep making YouTube videos (and corresponding blog posts, like this one). Over and over the voice in my head would ask, “Is this even worth it?” I got really discouraged and overwhelmed with the whole process; I’d spent a lot of time shooting video, reviewing hours of footage, and editing it all (doubting myself the entire time)…to see the video only 12 views. I was so worried about thumbnails and subscribers and SEO and monetization that I forgot why I started the channel in the first place–to speak my truth and share my story with the world. So will I keep up with my YouTube journey? I don’t have a final answer yet, but making this most recent video was a good start. Sitting down to record reminded me that my channel is MY channel–I should say what I want, not what gets clicks and views. And most of all, YouTube is supposed to be fun! From now on, making videos will be a fun creative project that relieves my stress instead of causing it.

Where this leaves us

Right now, I’m in a decent place. The job loss triggered my depression and anxiety, and relationship issues made things even worse. But thanks to the support of my family and close friends, I’m much better. Stability is really important to me, and I finally feel like I’m getting back to baseline. And as a forever optimist, I’m hopefully that things will only continue to improve. I’m loving on myself for the first time in a long time and it feels so good.

If you’ve been through something similar, whether that’s a job hunt, a grand adventure, or a moment of asking “Is this even worth it?”, I’d love to hear about it in the comments. And if you want me to keep going on YouTube, tell me what you’d like to see next.

Watch the full video here: I Disappeared for 6 Months. Here’s What Happened.

Simple Strategies for Boosting Your Health

Posted in Normal People Things by

Guest blogger Melissa Howard shares some valuable insight on keeping yourself well as we move into spring:

Making health and wellness a priority isn’t easy. Most adults are overburdened. As a result, they aren’t as likely to make self-care a central focus in their lives. Luckily, there are some simple health-boosting techniques that can fit into even the busiest of schedules. Deep Curves Ahead shares some options below.

Make Time for Sleep
Overall, adults usually need between 7 and 9 hours of quality sleep each night. It gives your body enough time to go through critical processes that keep you healthy, so rest needs to be a priority.

If you experience any signs or symptoms of sleep disorders, such as frequent waking or extreme fatigue during the day, it’s wise to see a medical professional. They can assess your condition and develop a treatment plan, ensuring you can get the rest you need.

Use Stress-Reducing Techniques
Many stress reduction techniques are easy to work into even the busiest of schedules. Meditation and deep breathing can be incredibly effective and can often be done nearly anywhere. Taking a second to watch a funny video is also an excellent option, as a quick laugh can be a natural mood-booster.

For some people, journaling is a great way to keep stress levels down. It lets them vent their frustrations in a safe manner, giving them an outlet. However, writing down what you’re grateful for can also work. With the gratitude approach, you focus on the positive, which can be a better fit for many.

Lastly, take a look at your surroundings and see if your home is cluttered — believe it or not, this could be a major source of stress and anxiety. Not only will cleaning up a bit help alleviate these feelings, but it can also release any negative energy this clutter has trapped in your home.

Examine Your Job
For many people, their careers are a major source of stress. A lack of job satisfaction has a negative impact on your health, so it’s crucial to examine your work situation to see if it’s an issue.

When you’re not feeling challenged at work, boredom can become a problem. If you’re under constant stress, burnout is more likely to be an issue. When a workplace is blatantly toxic, it strains your mental health.

If your job is causing you a significant amount of distress, pivoting into a new career might be a smart move. Online degree programs make heading in a new direction simple. You can keep working and manage family obligations while you acquire new skills, allowing you to maintain a balance.

When you look for an online school, make sure it’s accredited. Additionally, research tuition costs, fee structures, and other related expenses to ensure the pricing is competitive. That way, you can secure a quality education without breaking the bank.

Get Enough Exercise
Exercise is a big part of overall wellness. Not only can it keep you physically fit, but it can also reduce stress, lead to better sleep, alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression, and more.

Most adults need 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week. Thankfully, it doesn’t have to happen all at once. As long as each session is at least 10 minutes long, you’re meeting the requirement.

Learn to Say ‘No’
In some cases, people struggle with their health because they’re overwhelmed. By learning to say “no,” you can get more control over your workload and personal life.

If you’re asked to accept a task or obligation that you genuinely feel isn’t a smart idea, say “no.” Don’t overburden yourself if it isn’t a genuine necessity or requires you to sacrifice in another critical area of your life. If you do, you can keep your workload manageable, relieving a significant source of stress.

Photo Credit: Pexels

About Melissa:

“Every suicide is preventable. After losing her younger brother to suicide, Melissa Howard felt compelled to create Stop Suicide. By providing helpful resources and articles on her website, she hopes to build a lifeline of information. She went to school at University of Colorado, Colorado Springs and currently works as an executive assistant.”