This is so true! I did something similar recently after a long intense stretch to meet deadlines. While I took time to do relaxing, fun things, I found that I spent less time on those tasks but didn't fall behind. Reflecting on WHY I didn't fall behind, I realized that I had more focus and energy for the items on my to-do list (and I even took a few items off that weren't necessary NOW), and I didn't resent doing them because I had taken a real break. Thanks for this reminder to all of us with lots on our plates (or platters!)
I made the commitment with myself this week to stop working outside my hours, no more weekend work and no more after hours work. I'm also playing with the idea of taking a bigger break at the end of the year. I feel much better already just with having better boundaries in place again. We really do need that rest...
Great column. Early in my career, a senior colleague advised me to take every single day of vacation allotted: I did and this was great advice. You can’t run on an empty tank or let the oil run out: both will burn up your engine and drain your joy too.
Such great and timely advice. I took a sick day today after a truly awful 3 months of long hours and lots of stress. I have a week of annual leave next week, but have lost 2 days to teaching med students. Burn out is so close I can almost taste it.
Felt guilty leaving a team of juniors at work (a few patients w very difficult IV access and lots of complexity) but it was such a lovely day. Took ibuprofen for my headache, rested, hung out with the kids, drank lots of tea, cooked some tasty treats.
It's understandable that guilt comes up when we are conditioned to always be everything to everyone but ourselves. I'm glad you took time to rest and restore yourself a bit. Avoiding burnout isn't possible if we don't take time to listen to our warning signs. And, sometimes, even then it's unavoidable.
I think my warning signals are similar to yours Jillian! When I find myself getting resentful and feeling a bit of a martyr, I know it's break time. I used a lot of this year's leave to travel to the UK for dental work and stuff, but I knew I needed a decent break between roles, so I actually bought two weeks of extra leave. Expensive, but really worth the investment, I felt so much better after a staycation. 💖
This is so true! I did something similar recently after a long intense stretch to meet deadlines. While I took time to do relaxing, fun things, I found that I spent less time on those tasks but didn't fall behind. Reflecting on WHY I didn't fall behind, I realized that I had more focus and energy for the items on my to-do list (and I even took a few items off that weren't necessary NOW), and I didn't resent doing them because I had taken a real break. Thanks for this reminder to all of us with lots on our plates (or platters!)
What an important gift to yourself, Colleen! How did you learn to give yourself the permission for a break?
I made the commitment with myself this week to stop working outside my hours, no more weekend work and no more after hours work. I'm also playing with the idea of taking a bigger break at the end of the year. I feel much better already just with having better boundaries in place again. We really do need that rest...
Huge round of applause for your boundaries! You also deserve a longer break at some point.
Thank you!
Great column. Early in my career, a senior colleague advised me to take every single day of vacation allotted: I did and this was great advice. You can’t run on an empty tank or let the oil run out: both will burn up your engine and drain your joy too.
That’s such important advice!
Such great and timely advice. I took a sick day today after a truly awful 3 months of long hours and lots of stress. I have a week of annual leave next week, but have lost 2 days to teaching med students. Burn out is so close I can almost taste it.
Felt guilty leaving a team of juniors at work (a few patients w very difficult IV access and lots of complexity) but it was such a lovely day. Took ibuprofen for my headache, rested, hung out with the kids, drank lots of tea, cooked some tasty treats.
It's understandable that guilt comes up when we are conditioned to always be everything to everyone but ourselves. I'm glad you took time to rest and restore yourself a bit. Avoiding burnout isn't possible if we don't take time to listen to our warning signs. And, sometimes, even then it's unavoidable.
I think my warning signals are similar to yours Jillian! When I find myself getting resentful and feeling a bit of a martyr, I know it's break time. I used a lot of this year's leave to travel to the UK for dental work and stuff, but I knew I needed a decent break between roles, so I actually bought two weeks of extra leave. Expensive, but really worth the investment, I felt so much better after a staycation. 💖
Good for you, Holly! It can be hard to make the choice, but I’m glad you reaped the rewards!