Burnout-Free Lifestyle | The Burnout Queens

Unplugging from social media and ‘going human’ for a day!

February 15, 2017

Can you? Would you dare? Is it possible for you to leave social media alone for one day and ‘go human’?

Did I just hear an almighty gasp!?!

Ask yourself this…. Will my social media ‘friends’ who I have never met (and probably never will) care if I have no post, tweet, pin or media footprint online for one day?

The Burnout Queens see people out and about having a good time, but instead of experiencing and focusing on the time they are having, they are focused on recording the moment to quickly upload to their thousands of friends. What is going on? Before digital and instant sharing, we just had fun and then ‘shared’ the memories with others after we returned home…not during! No wonder we aren’t quiet, reflective and truly connected any longer.

Here’s the challenge. Get out of your tech-mode and step into life-mode for one day. Speak to people instead of tweeting with them. Walk with friends and enjoy their company. Call and chat instead of sending an email. If you are on your own sit in a café and watch others. It just might spark a spontaneous chat with a fellow human, rather than your android (it even sounds strange writing this).

See you in 24 hours…we’re unplugging and going human!

Love, The Burnout Queens xx

Ex-client dropped me a line

January 18, 2017

I love opening my inbox to pleasant surprises.

Periodically and unexpectantly I hear from past clients out of the blue. It always starts with “I don’t know if you remember me, but I wanted to let you know” . The truth is, I remember all of them!

In my work as a therapist and coach I often witness the planting of new seeds, new ideas, new dreams in women who want to cultivate a good life for themselves. It’s a privilege and responsibility to help them design and create their lives.

Sometimes I am not present for the full blossoming of such a new and inspiring spirit. I wonder whatever happened to so-and-so. Where did she end up. I hope she is living happily. And then I wake to this kind of email. I smile and cry as I read this from a young 20 something who is now 40 something as she shares the blossoming and depth of her life.

I have always made one request of my women clients…never settle, be happy and inspire another woman’s life when you can.

So get ready, really ready to be inspired!

“This message is for Bev. I wonder if you remember me? You have helped many people through the years, and I was one of them twenty years ago. My name is Deirdre M. I just wanted to tell you that your influence in my life has changed – and continues to inform – me in many ways. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Guess where I am right now? I am at the eating disorder clinic in Castlegar, BC, waiting to see a client. How I remember when I was sitting where she sits today. I received my masters in counselling this past year, and work for Interior Health in the Kootenays. I am raising a daughter who is almost 16. I have a wonderful life, and you had so much to do with that! My best friend is still Maria, whom you also counselled. She lives in New York, and we meet up at least twice a year and go travelling.

I’m sure you hear stories of gratitude often enough, but maybe one cannot hear that often enough. I am inspired by the life you two seem to be living – congratulations! I also want to get a PhD, but that will wait a few years.

Thanks again – I hope you are having a wonderful fall!

Much love, Deirdre”

Thanks Deirdre for allowing me to share this and to inspire other women to move forward in their lives with a sense of not knowing, but becoming who they are meant to be!

Love, Dr B (The Burnout Queens)

Prepping for vacation: The Burnout Queens style

October 21, 2016

Here we were rushing, working, preparing, writing, and recording our latest programme all before the lovely relations joined us for two weeks of hols in the hot english seaside.

We were working to a deadline but it was a mindset and an arbitrary date that, if kept, would see us exhausted and grumpy for the hols (I wish they weren’t coming so soon) instead of anticipating them with joy (can’t wait to see them again)! So we decided it’s joy rather than exhaustion.

How did we turn it around in our favour. You know the answer. We did it with Burnout Queen-style!

Listening to our own wisdom (walking the walk)
Being mindful of our bodies screaming ‘stop already’
Prioritising us over the work (front & centre)
Knowing when to say ‘no’ and let it go

That meant we stopped early and left the outstanding bits for our return. The old burnout personality would have thought ‘eeek not a wise decision, better get it finished because you may not be able to find that groove you were in’. Well that groove was turning into a right old rut and we’ve learned that leaving it can be a far wiser choice. We had written down where to begin again and what we wanted to say in an outline, so we were covered. Done with the prep work, all we needed on return were the sparkly touches.

We trusted how we were feeling and made decisions about our health before digging in and running ourselves into the ground. We were not going to spoil this vacation. No way, no how. These Burnout Queens had palaces and castles to conquer and lots and lots of tea and cake to eat!

By golly that’s exactly what happened. Palaces, teas and castles delighted all of us and on return to work, the new programme was sparkled up and launched!

Next time you have a deadline with something wonderful as it’s reward make sure you have the energy left to enjoy it fully. Remember to prepare for your vacation in true Burnout-Queen-style.

The programme? We’ve called it …

This video will give you the complete scoop. Click here Enjoy!

Love, The Burnout Queens xx

Seeking Beauty

October 20, 2016

“Oh I can’t afford beautiful things”…

How often I hear this from women who are in jobs they hate, barely making ends meet and thinking they won’t find beauty in their life until something changes.

Well, something can change and that something is how we seek beauty.

You don’t have to purchase anything to have beauty in your life. Here’s one of the ways I seek beauty.

Stress instantly gets replaced by beauty when I walk into a beautiful florist shop. Gorgeous flower displays in a shop window entice me in. I just let the colours, smells and atmosphere start filling my brain with happiness. It’s a beautiful thing.

As always, thank you Florian the Florist, Hove! It’s always a delight to step inside your shop!

Love, The Burnout Queens xx

Castles, business and the steep climb

October 18, 2016

This summer I had the good fortune of visiting two castles in the SE of England. They are both beautiful ancient structures that require a bit of legwork to take advantage of magnificant views from the top of what’s called ‘the castle keep’.

I didn’t climb the tallest, but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity at Lewes Castle’s Keep which is the remaining structure still standing from the 1060’s (think about this for a moment)! To say the view is breathtaking over the South Downs is an understatement.

It was a 35 step climb (I can be OCD on these things) and while I was on my way up I thought this is just like building a business. Bear with me, my mind can jump into biz mode when least expected.

I climbed the first flight not knowing how far up it would go and it landed me in an open space where I could catch my breath and look at a view much higher than where I had started from. Next flight got narrower, steeper and I was a little winded (and relieved) by the time I reached the next plateau. The view was amazing and now, although I could see the ultimate steepness of the last flight to the top, I was eager to go. I could sense the excitement of climbing out onto the top of the Keep, although I didn’t know exactly what to expect. The last climb was hard and left me breathless, but I was so glad I didn’t turn away and descend before I had challenged myself on the last leg of the staircase. The reward was worth every moment.

It really is like building your business. You start at the bottom and you don’t know where the top is. Each climb gets you to a new plateau, giving you new knowledge and perspective on what you are doing and why. You plan the next phase and then it’s time to take action by stretching yourself further. Each time you stretch and climb you need that little extra muscle, energy and focus to reach the top…even when you don’t know what is waiting.

I love a learning curve and I love discovery. 35 steps to the top may seem small, but when it’s an ancient ruin full of tiny stone steps, a steep climb and openings narrow enough to barely accommodate a bow and arrow those 35 steps are profoundly magical.

Ready to climb?

Love, The Burnout Queens xx