Burnout | The Burnout Queens

Good things come in small packages!

April 13, 2016

Well, The Burnout Queens always say, if you’re waiting for the BIG things in life to make it worthwhile, you may be waiting a long time.

This beauty bundle arrived in a cardboard box today. We totally expected to get our order of teas from the department store we love (Fortnum & Mason) in London. It’s one of the little pleasures and indulgences we allow ourselves. We’ve been having it delivered to our seaside home for over a year now and was just expecting to unpack the box of teas.

Surprise and delight…this little beauty box was thrown in unannounced and unexpected. What do they say, good things come in small packages. Well F & M delivered. A little box of truffles…a small bit of luxury in an otherwise ordinary workday.

We are convinced more than ever, that it’s the small everyday events that add up to a pleasurable life.

Someone put the kettle on, we’ll all have tea!

Love, The Burnout Queens xx

Hello from Brighton & London: 9 April 2016

April 9, 2016

We’re settling nicely into Spring seaside. March is always about clearing the cobwebs and getting out-and -about to explore what’s new. You know The Burnout Queens are all about living a burnout-proof lifestyle, so what better time than spring, to pursue that balance between work and play.

There is nothing better than that first beach romp in the year, especially when rewarded with an outdoor snack of tea and teacakes. (We all love our teacakes at the beach cafe). And while breathing in the sea-air on the beach is fabulous, as far as I’m concerned, there is no better discovery than a window full of delicious easter delights (we couldn’t resist).

March in London means the Affordable Art Fair and we always find that special piece to be enjoyed forever (like the chocolate shop, should have left the credit card at home).

But London isn’t the only kind of culture we now enjoy. To say Brighton dishes it’s own brand of culture and vibe is an understatement. Everything from style (who wears these high heels), to the buzz of food and friends in The Laines, to the quirky backstage door of the theatre royal, and all the street music (yes it’s a piano-playing zebra), it keeps us walking, gawking and definitely smiling.

You know what we always say don’t you? “Expect the Unexpected”. Well, it doesn’t get more unexpected than this home-to-go parked around the corner from us. It was soooo cute and quirky we just had to take a snapshot. I must admit I’m becoming a convert to Tiny House Nation, but this just took the prize!

Workwise, we set aside a week of planning and design for three new programmes to be launched this year… and now the writing and videos begins. Never shy for a challenge, we believe these programmes will be ‘just what the doctors ordered’ to shed your stress, embrace your sensitivity and live a burnout-proof lifestyle in the same way we do (well not exactly the same, but you get the drift).

We want all of you to recognise the beauty and sense of spirit in your daily living… so when moments like this happen, you’ll be ready to embrace the wonderment!

Can’t believe I’m saying this, but as May (omg) approaches, see you at the beach!

PS: If you’ve decided it’s time to defy ordinary and make some changes this spring, come join us inside The Realm! Our global women’s club is expanding each month, so it’s never to late to get acquainted. Register for your instant membership here: https://theburnoutqueens.com/the-realm/

4 Ways You Don’t Know Something

April 8, 2016

Why do I always have to know what the answer is!?!

If you find this question familiar. If everyone always looks to you to know the answer to something. And if you don’t want to know something for once in your life…. here are 4 super ways to decline knowing and not feel the guilt. Repeat after me!

4 Ways to Decline Knowing Something (no guilt)

BEATS ME!
YOUR GUESS IS AS GOOD AS MINE!
HAVEN’T A CLUE!
NOT MINE TO KNOW!

Put them in your little vocabulary book and the next time you’re exhausted and still someone wants you to come up with the answer, start repeating…

Love, The Burnout Queens xx

(excerpt from The Burnout Queens’ Postcard from The Realm) If you would like to receive more of The Realm’s wisdom every Sunday and learn to Defy Ordinary in your life, you are invited to join our free global women’s group by registering here. The Realm membership

Ditch the bucket list…get a jar

April 7, 2016

I am Fed Up with hearing everyone talk about their ‘bucket list’. This highly sensitive woman is asking you, “can we have a nicer image than a bucket for our visions, hopes and dreams?” As soon as I hear that word I have a fingers down a chalkboard moment! Buckets do not inspire me, nor do they motivate me to make any sort of list.

If you have ‘things you want to do before you die’ then a bucket list is helpful. You can tick them off, say you did them, show the snapshots, hopefully have a good time while you’re doing them. In my opinion these ‘things’ just add up as a fun to-do list that you can share or competitively compare with your family and friends.

Great for some, not for moi. I’m looking for something more meaningful and purpose-driven. I’m looking to expand ‘who’ I am, not ‘what’ I can do before the end of my life. And as a very visually inclined sensitive and creative woman I want it to ‘look beautiful in my mind’ so I get excited and inspired by the notion.

So what’s my alternative?

A Jar.

I can’t take credit for this brilliance (it was suggested in one of my women’s group) but it certainly made more sense and spoke to me in a way a bucket list never has.

Here’s how it works. As you experience things in your life that involve yourself, other people or occurences that enhanced you, changed you, made life happier, and you became wiser in the long term, then they get written on a piece of paper and put in your beautiful jar (vase, box, whatever place you wish to cherish your bliss). At the end of the year you can sit down with eggnog, champagne, or cup of tea and remember that your year had times of great meaning, connection and personal enhancement. You know, your accomplishments. It’s that simple, and that deep!

To me, a jar of meaningful experiences does more than a list of ‘things’. Don’t get me wrong, I know some of the papers will have ‘things’ I have done, but I will be remembering them as part of cultivating a well-lived life. My inner evolution!

Embrace Life, with love The Burnout Queens xx

Abandoning Myself to Pleasure

April 6, 2016

When I go to the theatre, I go for the full entertainment value: plot, costumes, songs, sets. From moment I enter the lobby, it’s the mood, the architecture, the decor and drinks, that transport me out of my real world and into the world of fantasy. It’s a lovely way to forget the biz, kids, worries and abandon myself to pleasure.

Sadly, others don’t share my experience and abandonment. It makes me sad to see them ‘bring their world’ with them, seemingly unable to let it go, even for a moments pleasure.

When they take their seats they look at the tiny screen in their hand instead of the beautiful architecture, or speaking with their companion. When the lights dim and the curtain starts to part, they are still sending their last minute text, email or photo instead of feeling the anticipation of what’s about to happen. At intermission they whip out their screens to catch up, reply and browse the world, instead of watching the audience, sipping a drink or enjoying their strawberry and ice treat (this is something I truly cannot comprehend).

At the end of the performance, I walk away having enjoyed myself, having experienced something new, having lived in the moment, having forgotten the outside world. Their experience is a very different story to mine.

I’ve learned to consciously embrace these moments. It’s one of the ways I live a burnout-proof lifestyle. I find it such a shame others cannot do the same…yet (I always hold out hope)!

Love, The Burnout Queens xx