The slow path back from burnout

If you're reading this and feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, or running on empty, I want you to know: you're not broken. You're not lazy. You're not failing.

You're human, navigating a world that asks too much and offers too little support for sustainable living.

Burnout recovery isn't about bouncing back to who you were before. It's about becoming someone who knows how to protect their energy, set boundaries, and honor their limits.

Three recovery practices for this week:

1. The 10-Minute Rule: When you notice yourself pushing through exhaustion, stop for 10 minutes. Breathe, stretch, or stare out a window. Your nervous system needs these micro-breaks more than you know.

2. Energy Audit: List what gives you energy and what drains it. Choose one small thing from the "gives" list and one small thing to minimize from the "drains" list.

3. Redefine Productivity: Instead of measuring your worth by what you accomplish, try measuring it by how well you care for yourself. Did you eat something nourishing? Did you sleep enough? Did you say no to something that wasn't serving you?

Recovery happens in cycles, not straight lines. Some days you'll feel stronger, others you'll need more rest. Both are part of healing.

Your worth isn't tied to your output. Your value doesn't decrease when you slow down.