Burnout-Free Lifestyle | The Burnout Queens

10 Years Stronger and loving it

October 4, 2016

The Realm’s weekly postcard with it’s assignment arrived in my inbox this past Sunday. It made me think about the question and how I would answer it, and so I posted in our private facebook page.

Then I thought, this is important, so I’m sharing it here as well.

The assignment for this week’s The Realm postcard asked our members to think not about their age, but about what or how age has changed them for the better over the last 10 years. So here was my answer….

” 10 years on and I am stronger and more able to say NO to people and things that aren’t right for me. How did I come to this? After several ‘crazy and manipulative’ people in my life pre UK and here as well, I can clearly and quickly see the train wreck coming towards me, so I say NO and get out. It may look like I’m a rude or unfriendly person, but having experienced prolonged relationships with friends, colleagues and family members who were not good for my health and mind, I have learned I have a choice to look after me.”

Here are my examples (and feel free to leave yours in the comments below)

If someone blames me for something they clearly did themselves…they are banished quickly (my new Burnout Queen rules)
If someone undermines, smears or belittles me and what I know in order to bolster their own inadequacies…they are banished immediately.
If someone wants to talk only and always about themselves, and never asks about me…they are given a few chances…and then they are banished forever!

Some people will judge this as b**chy (and believe you me they have and on several occasions convinced me I was) but I don’t mind because 10 years on, my heart is in the right place and I am firm about what I have learned the hard way.

Life post-burnout is ‘very’ different thankfully.

Love, The Burnout Queens xx

I Work Differently Now and Love It!

August 17, 2016

Over the last months we have been working, working, working on new programmes, by choice…but have to say…working ‘overtime’ certainly doesn’t resemble the past. Then it was 18 hour days; racing from office, to hospital, to university, to private practice, then home quickly to look after ill cats and aging parents. It was madness but necessary and unavoidable.

On the contrary, these days work often starts with a quiet dog walk to the park, a breakfast looking out the roof terrace at the English Channel, a walk to the local for bread and dinner dessert, a play time with dogs, and afternoon tea break to clear the head.

Sounds too good to be true? Sometimes it feels it! After living a life of unrelenting stress and strain and driving ourselves into the ground (literally) this new life of enlightened balance (aka burnout-free lifestyle) makes our hearts sing!

And that’s blissful!

Can you make a few changes to your usual routine to make life more enjoyable?

Love, The Burnout Queens xx

5 Things That Frustrate Me!

August 8, 2016

These ‘things’ I’m about to list truly get my blood pressure rising…and quickly….

See if any of these hit a nerve for you too.

1. Technology (like the keyboard on this blogsite) that jumps around the page, erases my words without my permission and doesn’t load the pictures I want it to!

2. Technology having a language all to itself, so that when I go to order a new mobile (cell) phone, I can’t properly discuss what giggabytes, megabytes, little bits, big bits that are needed with the sales guy on the other line.

3. Ordering technology. If you want to order over the phone then trying to find a contact number is like finding a needle in a haystack. Why do I have to order ‘online’ all the time. What ever happened to the personal touch.

4. Using technology to talk to someone long distance. Why is it that every time I am set to speak to a client via Skype (I have a paid subscription) Skype decides it’s time for them to update my system. Really, you are getting in the way of my calls!

5. Technology security updates everything on my desktop during the day (lovely feature that my computer guy installed)…but if I’m in the middle of writing something out on my computer, it slows everything down until it’s done.

Let me add a final note here. I don’t like being controlled by my computer! I will never get used to this and I don’t think I want to either. After all personal control should be something that is under my control…shouldn’t it?!?

Now that I’ve had my say, I think I will find some peaceful place to sit…far away from technology…and let nature control things for a bit. I believe in ‘her’ more than I will ever believe in technology.

Love, Dr B (a frustrated Burnout Queen at this moment)

PS: Then I’m off to re-read Be The Queen of Calm, Cool & Collected. Have you got your copy as well?

Hello from Brighton & London!: 6 August 2016

August 6, 2016

Well Darlings, July came and went without any fuss or bother! Really, the Burnout Queens’ usual trips were cancelled due to the train strikes, slowdowns, overcrowding, and track fires! So we stayed seaside.

Although we love the ‘buzz’ of London, staying local and low-key nurtures the quiet-seeking side of our Highly Sensitive souls.

We’ve been keeping our noses deep down in work all month, so much so we’re growing roots! (humour inspired by local nature). Don’t worry, the fruits of our labour will blossom shortly. (That’s the last nature pun, promise!)

We do practice what we preach sometimes! The Burnout Queens always take nourishment when and where we can grab it, especially on the roof terrace among the flowers in the blazing sun.

It’s never all work, no play for us. We will stop and take in the latest West End theatre production when it arrives. It’s a fab way to leave work behind for a few hours. This month it was ‘After Miss Julie’ a dark drama with actress Helen George (Call the Midwife).

And everything is more exciting under a full moon, especially when it hovers over The Channel right outside our terrace!

We’re looking ahead to a special stay-cation (relatives coming to stay) with day trips to new and never-before-seen villages and castles along the coastline. Can’t wait (fingers crossed the trains aren’t striking or we’ll be forced to shop, shop, shop and have lots and lots of tea and cake).

Till next month from the coastal seaside and London…or who knows where (complete with pictures) enjoy your month.

Love,

PS: The Realm! Our global women’s club is growing fast and our reach is truly worldwide (although there are a few corners on the map we have yet to welcome),so count yourself in too. Register for your instant membership here and start Defying your Ordinary https://theburnoutqueens.com/the-realm/

Women, Bodies & Baggage

June 15, 2016

Women’s bodies come with a full set of baggage. We worry about how fat or thin, tight or saggy, tall or short, young or old, beautiful or ugly we are.

It all comes down to our bodies and the relationship we have with it. Whether it’s loving or spiteful we are stuck with it. It is something we are born with and changes with or without our permission over a lifetime. It changes, it grows, it develops, it moves, it gets strong, it gets weak and all manner of things in-between.

So how do you treat this ‘thing’ that holds you up and moves you through the world. Perhaps because of that very fact alone we should learn to like it more.

Here are 8 ways you can take good care of that ‘thing’ you already love, are getting to love or have hated for years.

Like her more by not comparing her to another woman
Feed and water her regularly
Put lotion on her and let her glow
Massage her to help her move with ease
Take her for a walk, bike ride, swim
Sit her down
Let her sleep
Limit the stress and strain you put her under

Showing respect for your body will help you respect your Self and THAT darling, results in you becoming the radiant Queen of Calm, Cool & Collected you were truly meant to be.

With Love, The Burnout Queens xx