Sometimes we forget how far we’ve come. I can remember earlier in 2023 feeling like I was standing in the middle of a maze with no idea if there was indeed a fulfilling path to follow. Some days there was a burst of motivation to figure it out; other days everything seemed to be moving in slow motion or not at all. It was a feeling I hadn’t previously experienced in this capacity. And it didn’t take me long to determine that whatever strategies I had employed in the past to see me through weren’t going to work for this because…burnout. The ugly ‘b’ word. Although juggling and the diversification of life’s happenings have always had a starring role in my story, this was beyond that. It was a wall that I couldn’t scale anymore. It was a constant overwhelm of WTHs. It was honestly a joy stealer. And the latter was enough for the light bulb to go off, because I love my joy. Ain’t nothing stealing that!

Burnout had become more than exhaustion for me. It started to chip away at my mental clarity. At my desire to persevere. At my intention to see the glass half full. Much of that was attributed to many life transitions happening simultaneously and trying to stay above water. I’m no swimmer, but I can tell you that no one can tread forever. And as I sit here and reflect on the days of 2023 that are now in the rearview, I know I’m a far cry from where I began. I have my faith, my therapist, my coach, and my consistency to thank for that because what tried to steal my joy failed at that mission. If I learned nothing else last year and even now, it’s that many things can be true at the same time. Ultimately, (with my structured reinforcements and supports as mentioned), that’s what slowly caused my burnout to dissipate. I started understanding the layers of what was draining me at the granular level while also centering every moment and experience that lifted me. Some of that centering led me to festivals, paradise, new states, and food…because I’m always going to have a love-love relationship with delectable dishes. It also led me to nurturing current and new connections, guilt-free days of nothingness, and self-advocacy. But, most importantly, the centering centered me. And as a selfless being by nature (I once heard my friend describe it as ‘loyal to a fault’), I’m taking on 2024 with burnout behind and me at top of mind. Things are different because I’m different and I think different. I also considered it a win having both my therapist and coach confirm the shifts they’ve observed from their vantage points over the course of our time together.

May the days ahead be a reflection of us showing ourselves that many things will continue to be true at the same time. Let them also represent a declaration of our personal commitment to joy that honors who we are at our core and not allowing that to fall by the wayside. Because to have joy is to show regard and compassion for yourself. That is the seed that we must first water before we can properly extend our blooms to others.