Burnout Edition
the need for creative rest and lower cortisol
Did you know "I'm tired" is a hot search on Google? It's like we're all part of a secret club we didn't sign up for.
For those in the creative and business worlds, this might sound like a no-brainer. But what if we flipped the script on this tired narrative?
Recently, my energy levels have been like a phone on 1% battery – functional, but barely. I even got blood tests to check if I was missing a secret energy-boosting nutrient. Turns out, it's just my typical Virgo, overachieving, small business owner persona taking the driver's seat.
This was a wake-up call for me. Remember the good old days when working non-stop seemed like the only way to success? I once worked myself into a bout of pneumonia while planning an event for lululemon. Despite sounding upbeat on the phone, I was actually more of a walking flu advert. It wasn't until I showed up, complete with hives and a cough, that everyone realized I wasn't just playing hooky.
Fast forward to now, I still work hard, but I've learned a thing or two about balance.
This year, my resolution is simple: Do Less, but with more impact. Do it better, with a clear mind and purpose.
I'm also on a mission to lower my cortisol levels from 'perpetual panic mode' to 'calm and collected.' This means welcoming new solutions and treating stress as a serious business – whether it's the exciting or hair-pulling kind.
Don't worry, I won't throw inspirational quotes at you and expect miracles. My friend Des and I often talk about our rollercoaster from inspiration to exhaustion. We know we're in the red zone when we daydream about drastic life changes, ignoring the fact that they're just band-aids on burnout.
That's where the concept of creative rest comes in. Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, in her book "Sacred Rest," highlights the importance of various rest types, including creative rest. If the idea of creating something makes you sigh louder than a teenager asked to do chores, it's time to step back and recharge creatively.
Creative rest could mean swapping your studio for an art gallery or a book nook, giving your creative muscles a much-needed breather.
I understand the fear of stepping back, especially in a world where your success seems tied to your social media presence. But let me assure you, running on empty isn't the secret ingredient to success.
I'm not offering a universal cure here. For me, avoiding new projects in January, embracing yoga over high-intensity workouts, and enjoying the simple pleasure of sunny runs and leisurely baths has made a world of difference.
If you are building your own unique path towards a fulfilling, creative life – one free from constant yawns – I encourage you to reach out and share how you are doing it. I'm eager to connect and hear about what's working for you, what isn't, and to send a digital high-five for your efforts in taking care of yourself (or at least trying to).
photo by 👇
photographer feature
Nick Fancher is not just a photographer, author, and educator; he's an artist who masterfully creates in-camera effects, often weaving bold colors and dramatic lighting into his work. Renowned for his efficient style, Fancher excels in using minimal gear and often chooses unconventional locations for his shoots.
I'm spotlighting Fancher's work to challenge and expand our understanding of what a portrait can be. The selection of images I've chosen emphasizes energy and emotion over traditional clarity and perfection in headshots. While there's certainly a place for those pristine headshots, Fancher invites us to explore the beauty in the blurry, imperfect moments – those snapshots that capture feeling and atmosphere over flawlessness.
my meditation playlist
As a yoga teacher with several meditation training sessions under my belt, I made an enlightening discovery during one of my courses. I found that a bit of background music can significantly aid in entering a meditative state, especially during moments when anxiety makes it challenging to pause and reflect. But not just any music, binural beats.
Binaural beats, a kind of auditory illusion, are like the magic trick of sound for your brain. Imagine two slightly different tones, one in each ear. When these tones meet in the middle, your brain steps in like a DJ, mixing them into a single, pulsing rhythm. This isn't just a cool party trick for your neurons; it's a scientifically-backed way to encourage certain states of mind. Depending on the frequency of this beat, it can help you relax deeply, focus intensely, or even drift off into a peaceful sleep. So, when you listen to binaural beats, you're not just hearing music – you're tuning your brain to a desired wavelength. Think of it as a gentle, auditory nudge towards relaxation, focus, or rest.
Fast forward to now, and I regularly incorporate binaural beats into my routine – not just during meditation, but also while working, walking, or whenever I seek a less stimulating environment.
what I was reading
How rest and relaxation became an art
Finding respite in our busy world is increasingly important. Bel Jacobs explores the realm of rest, from dopamine fasting to 'pleasure activism'.
This article does more than just present facts and figures about our collective tiredness. It invites readers to learn about and contemplate our relationship with busyness, exhaustion, and how these elements have become so ingrained in our culture that they're now akin to an art exhibit. This piece challenges us to consider the pervasive nature of this 'tiredness epidemic' and its implications in our daily lives.
useful meditation app - freemium available
I had shared with my friend Andrea* that I was recommitting to my meditation practice, and she shared her personal favourite free resource (yes, there is a paid version, but the freemium version is likely enough for many).
I picked a short 2-minute meditation with one of her favourite teachers to share with you. There is also a phone app version available for those who prefer it.
*Andrea herself is a wonderful human who happens to not only have her meditation training, but is also a run coach, and certified coach with ICF. She is up to some cool things for 2024, so if you like mindfulness and maybe even running, I recommend you follow her.
burnout book to read
I read this book over a year ago, and many of its lessons still stick with me. The biggest takeaway for me was learning about how my body processes stress. Personally, I have a tendency to focus on the task causing the stress rather than addressing the stress in my body. This often leads me to work for longer periods of time, when what I really need is to take a break, stand up, and go for a walk, workout, meditate, or engage in any activity that helps me alleviate stress instead of intensifying it.
THE “TL;DR” OF THE BOOK IS:
Wellness is not a state of mind, but a state of action. It is the freedom to move through the innate cycles and oscillations of being human - from effort to rest and back, from connection to autonomy and back, from adventure to homecoming and back.
But we have been lied to our whole lives about what wellness “should” look like, and rejecting that lie, all those myths about “having it all” and “finally achieving lasting peace” is how we create space in our lives for that free action through the cycle of being human.
personal work
Hey, you made it to the end! I have a little secret for you.
We ventured out for our inaugural cross-country skiing adventure on the weekend. With the dog trail at Mount Washington finally open, we bundled up Indy and hit the road for the 30-minute drive up.
Flashback to last year: picture me perfecting the art of the not-so-graceful tailbone tumble. Spoiler alert: it's as fun as a root canal. Fast forward to this year, as we geared up with rentals, I blurted out to our ever-so-patient rental person when they asked what the plan for the day was, "My main goal? Keeping my tailbone in one piece, thanks!"
I am telling you. The months of pain from a bruised tailbone made me question my sanity of strapping on slick sticks that don't even fully connect to my feet. Mount Washington's dog-friendly run happens to start with a very long downhill slope, so if you're new to the sport, it feels like a great way to hurt yourself.
I am happy to report, no tailbones were bruised last weekend. Now send me luck as we plan to be out every weekend until April.