5 Reflections About Burnout In 2023 - And What I'll Take Into 2024

Being a full-time employee, part-time business owner and student are full-on

1. We’re all looking back

I’ve been reading a raft of people’s 2023 reflections and felt melancholic about it.

As a full-time employee, and part-time Burnout Coach and student (still completing my Diploma in Art-based Coaching), the irony of being on the edge of burnout isn’t lost on me.

Having had a grief-filled year in 2022 (I lost my dad at the end of 2021), I wanted 2023 to be more positive, active and educational.

It turns out, there can be too much of a good thing.

Chuck some illness into our descent into Winter amidst the dark days and nights, and the past few months have been tougher than expected.

Here are 5 reflections that I’ve pondered as we move towards 2024:

1. Curiosity is great. But use it wisely. Having the desire to understand the people and world around you is a rewarding trait. It’s why many of us move into creating and writing. However, it takes time and effort to explore rabbit holes and contemplate what we learn. Get better at the process.

2. Boundaries are your friend. I’ve never been great at this. 2023 has taken it to a whole new level. Moving from activity to activity seamlessly feels productive, but the ongoing cognitive switching from job-coaching-training-writing-art has been challenging and takes its toll. More timeboxing and structure.

3. The right tribe is key. I joined a writing mastermind in October to improve my online writing skills - part of the Badassery Academy run by Tim Denning and Todd Brison. They, along with the community of writers and creators I’ve joined, are a dream. I continue to learn, feel encouraged and am inspired. It’s why I created this Substack and have been posting daily on X/Twitter. People need people and done is better than perfect.

4. Active rest is valid. It’s seductive to go from super busy to zonked on the sofa. Netflix binging is a key part of their strategy when creating content - do you think those cliffhanger endings come out of nowhere? Active rest - doing movement, painting or random activitie - is often more restorative than being passive. Play more.

5. Grief lingers. It was recently the 2-year anniversary of losing my dad. It’s still incredibly hard to experience and find peace with. I admit that much of my keeping busy in 2023 has been to avoid difficult emotions that arise. I see this in my clients too, and it overwhelms at times. Running from pain hurts more.

What has come up in your reflections this year?

Let me know in the comments or send me a message.

Photo by Martin Brechtl on Unsplash

2. Conclusion - what I’ll take into 2024

1. Build systems to support the curiosity process.

2. Timetable the heck out of my week to manage energy efficiently.

3. Keep connecting with the right people.

4. Pick fun ways to play and move more.

5. Feel the painful feelings so they release.

---

Let me know what you're keen to learn or talk about in the comments or on chat.

This is your space too, so let's enjoy it together.

---

Take care,

Sabrina Ahmed

Burnout Coach | Neuroscientist | Art-based Practitioner