As I have said before, I should have recognised that things weren’t right and I was heading for a burnout – but the reality is we don’t see it coming until it is too late.
So even though I now understanding the symptoms of burnout, is there still a risk that I let history repeat itself at some point in the future?
Knowing the symptoms is only part of the battle. Understanding the route cause of all the stress and build up in the first place another part of it. Having strategies to ensure the build up of stress does not happen again is the final part of the jigsaw.
Through my recovery I have learnt to recognise what triggers stress for me, and more importantly I have learnt methods to help calm me down, from simply breathing to stopping and taking the time to write a to do list.
There is a possible misconception that Counsellors simply don’t get stressed. This is quite frankly a load of rubbish. Even with all the training and experience that I now have, I feel stress just like anyone else.
Starting Mind and Mission is probably the first time since my burnout that I risked it all happening again.
The pressure of all the work that needed to be done, the realisation that we didn’t have a brand and hadn’t got a clue how to build one, the fear of will this work, juggling the children (and husband!), my voluntary work.
All of this started to raise early warning signs for me that IF I let it, this could overtake me again.
But the difference this time is that I have self awareness of what is happening to me. I am able to acknowledge that I’m feeling the pressure and I have a toolbox that I can utilise to get me through the day.
Being open and talking about how I am feeling has been ground breaking.
I’ve even taught my children to recognise the signs of “Mum feeling the pressure” and what to do. This usually involves my kids putting the kettle on and making me a cup of tea, so we can “talk”. And talk we do – about anything. Its wonderful.
No one can guarantee that history won’t repeat itself but I honestly believe I have the best chance of making sure it doesn’t.
Louise
