living NOW | The Burnout Queens

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

Something’s new inside The Realm

March 18, 2016

Something’s new inside The Realm!

For our members of The Realm, we’ve archived all the Sunday postcards in the Reading Room inside the membership site. Use your private log-in details and click the Reading Room icon to get all the links.

Why not use this opportunity to refresh your memory, take another read and redo your weekly assignment. Remember, small steps, big impact.

In support of Defying Ordinary, Love The Burnout Queens xx

PS: If you aren’t a private member, but would love to join our global community of women as they creatively Defy Ordinary for themselves, feel free to register yourself. You will get instant access to our community on facebook (private group) and all the materials in the member’s access area. Register here: http://theburnoutqueens.com/the-realm/

Celebrating Women

March 8, 2016

The Burnout Queens are celebrating International Woman’s Day today, with a tribute to our pasts, our present and the wish of a brighter future for our next generation of girls and women across the globe.

Love, The Burnout Queens xx

Wateraid gives us feedback on caring

March 8, 2016

How absolutely lovely to receive a note from Water Aid on Mothering Sunday in the UK.

Great to know our Christmas Chaos Charity Campaign gifts of taps and bog cement is making a difference in a village birthing centre in Tanzania.

Just a special feeling and moment to know we all helped in a very small but powerful way in other womens’ lives on this planet. Embracing all your kindness and generosity this year.

Love, The Burnout Queens xx

HSP woman wants to build a wall

March 2, 2016

Yes I do, I want to build a wall!

Please don’t confuse me with that guy running for US president, but I actually do want to build a wall. You see, there’s just too much going on these days, and it’s driving me crazy. It’s grating on my nerves, making me irritable, and generally intruding on all my senses.

So what’s going on you ask? Open plan living! You know living, dining, terrace and kitchen all-in-one. Very hip, very modern, very NOW. So when I initially saw my new flat I was excited with possibilities. In my zest to decorate the space in my head, I neglected to consider how noisy it might become.

When I clock off work, I’m ready for my evening to begin. As a highly sensitive woman, there’s nothing more soothing than a little dim lighting, low hum and watching a bit of television while I get dinner. Well, my gorgeously decorated open living space doesn’t deliver…I want to build a wall!

As a highly sensitive woman yourself, can you guess where I’m going with this? The gas stove is on (noise), the fan for the stove is on (noise), the fridge is opening and closing (noise), the dinner is being prepared, chop, chop, chop (more noise), the water is being poured into saucepans (double noise), the microwave is beeping (noise) and the television is on (turned ever higher to actually hear the news or show, making it noise over the top). And don’t even get me started on the Burnout Pups playing ball, barking and generally under foot because work is done and playtime is NOW for them (and I’m not even going to start with the noise of after-dinner cleanup and the dishwasher)!

Humming, banging, barking, bright lights, clanking pots and running water… my now over-aroused and jangled system yearns for that beautifully quiet evening of rest and relaxation.

Suffice to say open plan living for this highly sensitive woman is not a match made in heaven. So I want to build a wall and call the space on the other side ‘my kitchen’. Old fashioned maybe, quiet most definitely!

Anyone else feel my pain?!?

Love, The Burnout Queens xx