The Burnout Queens were taking a lunch break today and saw a video from the Orlando community to the young gay youth of the world. It is beautiful, it is simple, it is pure and it is for absolutely everyone.
Open your hearts and spirit to Love. Watch the video we saw here Orlando message
Love, The Burnout Queens xx
If someone shares their dream, vision, or idea with you and you see they are clearly excited …
What do you do? How do you respond? What do you say?
When I share my enthusiasm about starting a new venture, challenging myself personally, or uprooting my life, I am generally met with great curiosity, support and love from those around me (except my mother of course, but darlings, that’s a whole other story).
I’ve also met those who are shocked that I will do what I say I want to do “Oh, you mean you’re actually going to Do this (incredulous tone required!) and then
I’ve met those who feel the deep need to be negative, warn you and wonder what’s gotten into you lately? (omg, I know someone who hated what you’re about to do). Why must they warn me or save me from my own choices I wonder? Can’t they just be happy for me?
So I have to ask, what is the cost of being gracious, even if their choice isn’t yours?
Here’s my best advice the next time someone shares their hopes and dreams with you…
Think before you share and offer
Grace if you must speak.
In love and support
The Burnout Queens xx
I have choice at my company. It’s a flexible workplace so if it’s sunny out I can go out and enjoy my day with a mind to work on another day.
Deciding is often easier because I ask the same questions my boss asks. Don’t ask what you should do, but what you want to do.
Decision made.. 2 bosses (hey because I’m one) bunked off work the other day and were found browsing the North Laines (well one had a hair appointment so we made a morning of it). We both love working this way. Then we were back in the afternoon ready to write and create.
This is truly an example of how to ‘think aside’. When we are away from the desk, the minds start to expand and think in a different way. Out of the confines of the office (even if they are beautiful) allows thoughts to come more naturally.
This kind of day…doing something I want…definitely gets the creative juices going (including this post) over coffee and jam doughnuts.
How can you create a ‘thinking aside’ moment in your work life that suits you and your company?
Love, The Burnout Queens, xx
Meet my BFF Denial. She has helped me in so many ways throughout my life, both personally and in my business. I could always count on Denial to get me through any busy-ness or crisis. We were so close she knew what I wanted before I did! Now that’s friendship (or so I thought)!
It turns out that having a friend like Denial on my side was my ticket to becoming a reluctant Burnout Queen!
Denial was by my side when I was building my psychology practice. In a year the business grew to six-figures and our expertise was sought after! Fabulous, but it came with a price. When I was working day and night, over-stretched and over-stressed with all the hours of patients, meetings, on top of my PhD research, Denial encouraged me to:
All I wanted to do was give in. I felt weak; I just needed to go home and get some sleep. Denial was my rock-solid support. She urged me to dig in, work harder, push through and not lift my head until it was done. I was exhausted and dazed but thanks to her support and driving force, deadlines were met and success secured!
Denial was there for me again when I was feeling unwell with heart palpitations, migraines and serious injuries after a major car accident. She would whisper in my ear, “You don’t have time to be sick. You’ve got to keep going for everybody.” She kept me going…visiting my Dad in hospital, making sure my elderly Mum had groceries, keeping the house perfectly clean, and never missing a day of work. She was absolutely right, there was no time for my own health.
Just keep going, dig deeper, plod on girlfriend!
What a friend. Denial secured my reputation as kind, helpful and always there for everyone, (just the way my Mother had taught me) to my detriment.
Then one day, out of the blue (or so I thought), I fell asleep on the kitchen floor while feeding the cat. Four hours later, with the cat looking bemused at me from his vantage point, my BFF Denial was nowhere to be found! She had thrown me under the bus! She had become someone else’s BFF in an instant.
Without Denial, I had no voice to tell me to ignore myself; no cheerleader to give me the push to keep going. I wanted to run away. Without Denial by my side my world suddenly seemed insurmountable. I couldn’t escape the facts anymore as I began to see the truth of how burnt-out I was!
Here’s the good news!
It was the best thing that could have happened to me when Denial disappeared. I was forced to acknowledge myself in small ways and big ways. I learned to meet obligations and responsibilities on my terms. I began to make decisions, choices, and plans that suited my needs first and foremost.
It had to start with me! As I listened to my body and my soul I began to understand…
Now I have a new BFF and her name is ‘Aware’ and she is nothing like ‘Denial’. Aware listens to my inner voice. She knows when I’ve had enough, and she knows when to reach for that extra dream. She responds to my spirit.
Aware gently taps my shoulder and says,
“You are priority one. Without you there isn’t much else”.
Aware has made me realise that when I take care of myself my business works better and I have a better quality of life and love.
If you find yourself in the company of Denial, don’t be afraid or ashamed to walk away from that ‘friendship’ with conviction. Head on over to self-awareness and honesy, trust us it’s more invigorating than scarey. When you team up with Aware you open yourself up to all the possibilities and dreams that happen when you live waaayyyy beyond burnout.
Cheers to finding new friends! The Burnout Queens xx
[The Burnout Queens wrote this article as a guest blog for The Girls Mean Business]
When Spring arrived, everyone was talking about spring-cleaning the house, the garden, washing the car, mending the curtains and fixing the fence! All of that sounds lovely and inspiring and encouraging. It will make us feel better to put the new paint on the walls, get the old out and make room for the new.
Of course, that got me thinking. All those make-overs outside ourselves will make us happier and feel more organised, but dear one, what if we take that concept and apply it just to little-old-you! Have you spring cleaned your life yet?
Yes, let’s spring clean you! Whoosh that sounds kinda weird, but before you get offended, why not try freshening your ‘self’ up this spring.
Spring may be the perfect time to take stock of yourself and give a heave-hoe to the old stuff and a welcome mat to the new!
Here are 8 challenges that will give you and your life a fresh-air newness.
Remember you need to put yourself on the spring clean list every year, along with all the household cleaning. What better way to ensure you feel alive and invigorated again. After all, isn’t that what Spring is all about?
Challenge You. Clear the clutter and feel the freedom!
Love, The Burnout Queens xx