When you’re working in a job you’re passionate about, it’s easy to convince yourself that putting in extra hours and going above and beyond is simply part of the package. After all, you love what you do, right? But even when you’re living your passion, burnout can still sneak up on you.
Believe me I’ve been there, everyday telling myself “If I can just get through to the end of the week I can then have a bit of time for me”. That then becomes next month, the end of the year and the cycle continues.
The Silent Build-Up of Stress 🤯
Showing up every day as the best version of yourself—for your clients, your family, and your business—can take a toll. It’s not just about delivering your best work but juggling responsibilities like managing bills, handling enquiries, keeping up with social media trends, and maintaining a home. It all adds up. And before you know it, your body is running on adrenaline, stuck in a constant state of fight or flight.
You may feel like you’re handling it well, and tell everyone you are fine, even praise yourself for being such a great multitasker! However, behind the scenes, your cortisol levels (the stress hormone) are rising. When cortisol remains high for extended periods, it can lead to constant feelings of anxiety. You’ll find it harder to switch off, and even in those rare quiet moments, you never fully relax.
The Passion You Once Loved Can Start to Feel Like a Burden 😩
Burnout doesn’t happen overnight. You might start noticing that your once-joyful job feels more like a burden. The passion that fuelled your success now leaves you feeling drained. Some mornings, you might even dread the day ahead, not because you dislike what you do but because the weight of responsibilities is overwhelming. Instead of contentment, you begin to feel anxious about things that are beyond your control.
The Subtle Early Signs of Burnout
Burnout often creeps in silently, and its early signs are more subtle than you might expect. Here’s what to watch out for:
- Feeling Exhausted: You may start feeling drained all the time. Even after a full night’s rest, you wake up tired, lacking the energy to face the day.
- Physical Symptoms: Your body may start to give you clues—headaches, muscle pain, stomach issues, or other unexplained physical ailments. These are all your body’s way of saying, “Slow down.”
- Sleep Problems: Whether it’s insomnia, restless sleep, or waking up feeling unrefreshed, your body isn’t getting the rest it needs. Changes in sleep patterns can be a major indicator that something isn’t right.
- Mental Symptoms: Self-doubt begins to creep in. You may feel helpless, defeated, or even like a failure. You might become cynical or dissatisfied with your work, questioning whether you’re capable of handling it all.
- Alienation from Work: You might start to feel emotionally distanced from your work, losing the passion that once drove you. This alienation extends to your colleagues or clients, and you may start to feel disconnected from the people around you.
- Reduced Performance: Tasks that used to come easily may now feel like an uphill battle. Your concentration wanes, responsibilities feel heavier, and your creative spark dims.
- Substance Use: In an attempt to cope, you might turn to food, alcohol, or other substances to numb the stress. This is often a coping mechanism for the deeper issues you’re facing.
Burnout in the Salon: A Unique Challenge
For those in the beauty industry, the risk of burnout can be even more pronounced. Salon life is demanding, whether you are part of a team or running your own business. If you’re working in an environment where you’re not fully appreciated, it can erode your self-esteem over time. And for those who are self-employed, the pressure is compounded. You’re not just a stylist or therapist; you’re also the manager, the admin assistant, the marketing expert—all while trying to balance household chores and family life.
The Need to Listen to Your Body and Mind
It’s crucial to recognise the signs of burnout early on, before stress becomes a more serious health issue or leads to depression. Taking time for yourself, learning to set boundaries, and recognising when you need help are all essential steps in preventing burnout.
Remember, even when you’re living your passion, you can still hit a wall. Your well-being matters, and by listening to the signs your body is giving you, you can take action before it’s too late.
Ways you can help prevent burnout
✅Sleep is the most important job of the day. This is something not to be deliberately skimped on instead a regular sleep pattern should be your priority.I did a challenge recently as I wanted to improve my fitness but part of the challenge was to set my alarm for a 6am check in. Having an extra hour that day was supposed to help raise productivity. But I know the best version of me is the full rested version not a sleep deprived one. Those who boast they can get by on only 5 hours sleep are not treating themselves kindly.
Sleep not only allows our bodies to rest, restore and repair, it also helps regulate our cortisol levels balances metabolism and removes toxins from the brain that build up while you are awake. Deep sleep helps restore the chemicals that are altered by cognitive activity during the day.
✅Plan: Create a daily and weekly schedule that incorporates self-care activities, exercise, relaxation, and healthy eating.
✅Adaptability: Be flexible with your plan. Life can be unpredictable, so adjust as needed without feeling guilty.
✅ Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledge and celebrate the milestones you achieve along the way.
✅Mental health check: Don’t struggle alone, talk through any problems you may be facing at work. Get some perspective on how you can move forward to enjoy a better work life balance. Talk to a trusted friend, colleague, mentor or invest in a coach to help you.
💥And remember you are important, worth looking after and not alone.
If you are struggling and stuck in a negative cycle there is nothing to be ashamed of, we have all been there at some point. Reach out and book a one to one call with me to see how I can help.
Debbie xo
