Hello Reader,

This time of year is THE BUSIEST season where I work, and it's only going to get busier as we enter December - which I still can't believe is just a few days away as I write this, can you? Holy fast!

I know you're busy, too.

I know some of you are working multiple jobs.

I know some of you are working on learning French while keeping your English skills going at the same time.

I know some of you are chasing your PR, trying to do everything humanly possible to get your points up...all while you try to thrive in a new country, while keeping your family and friend relationships alive and kicking.

I bet it feels, at times (or all the time?), like you're on a treadmill that just doesn't stop.

And I bet you get tired of it all.

I bet you have moments of desperation when you just want to quit, and maybe even just go home.

"Living here has been an assault on my identity."

Last night we were talking with a lady from our church. She and her small family moved all the way here from Columbia about 4 months ago. In Columbia, she's a lawyer. Here? She's been working hard to help clean houses, and any other job she can get her hands on to help her husband bring in money every month. It's been tough.

As we talked and listened to her pour out her story, she began to cry. "It's been so difficult! All at once!"

And that's the truth, isn't it?

There are times when it can feel so hard, so difficult, and it's all coming at the same time.

That's why I asked in the subject line of this message: Are you burning out?

I've been fighting burnout these past few weeks and months, and I've been thinking a lot about it and about you - and wondering if you're dealing with this too?

Like you're always exhausted, that you can't even bear to think about going to work, that your work feels meaningless, and that you're somehow not really yourself anymore?

If you've been feeling things like that, you might be experiencing burnout.

It's why I've stopped posting on LinkedIn - I felt like I was running on empty, and I've intentionally slowed and changed other things in my day job so I can start refilling my tank. (I've got other things that I'm considering to hit stop on too...but for now, I'm waiting and watching to see how my current changes help.)

I know I wrote about this a little while ago, but I've been thinking a lot about burnout. (Might even do a podcast episode on it, cus I bet I'm not the only one dealing with this right now...am I?)

This might help

I already started researching burnout, and I thought I'd share two quick videos with you that you might find helpful if you're wondering if you might be burning out:

Dr. Laurie Santos 3 Signs that you've hit clinical burnout and should seek help. Dr. Santos is a cognitive scientist and professor at Yale University. ( The video is just under 7 minutes long, but totally worth your time!) You'll learn about the symptoms of burnout, what causes it, and ideas to help you treat it.

I also liked this one: Dr. Sahar Yousef What happens to Cause Burnout (about 6 minutes long.) Dr. Yousef is a cognitive neuroscientist at UC Berkeley. She explains a helpful process to work on recovery at the 2:27 mark.

Like I mentioned in a previous newsletter, if you're feeling like you're running dry: ask yourself what you can hit pause or stop on in your life that isn't mission critical.

Burnout is real, and it can cripple you if you don't pay attention - I know from experiencing a mild burnout before. And I had it mild. I have a coworker who burnt out so badly she couldn't return to work - it completely crippled her ability to function.

I don't say this to scare you, but to encourage you to pay attention to what your body is trying to tell you. I promise, there are things you can hit pause or stop on in your life that will help you begin to recover.

You just have to be brave enough to admit to yourself (and maybe someone else...like a doctor? ) that you need to do it. Then do it!

I hope this message helps you to take that step!

​

Over to you: are you burning out? Hit reply and let me know. A simple yes or no is all you need to say - and I'll write you back!

Well, that's it for today! Thank you for reading, and have a great week!

Aaron