Today, I wrote an article about how women experience burnout more than men in the workplace.
But here’s the secret: that’s true on all levels—not just in the work place.
I’m not knocking men. They get burned out, too. That’s evidenced in the research around employee burnout across the board.
But it’s an issue that just plain hits women in general. Women juggle a million things on a daily basis: kids, work, community commitments. You name it. They give everything to everyone.
How many times have you heard someone talk about how women burn out and struggle with self-care? We see focusing on ourselves as selfish, narcissistic, or something that’s only optional once everything else is taken care of and everybody else’s needs are met.
But that’s not the case.
In fact, I’ve found that developing a healthy relationship with yourself is actually the key to beating burnout.
When you know yourself, trust yourself, and love yourself, you actually end up having more energy and more to give to everyone else. And here’s why:
1. When you know yourself, setting boundaries is easy and natural. You know your limits and can confidently say, “No,” without the guilt trip. This self-awareness shields you from over-committing and spiraling into burnout.
Remember, you’re human (unless you secretly ARE Wonder Woman, in which case, share your secrets!). Everyone has their limits and saying “no” to things that aren’t authentically aligned for you gives you more room to say “yes” to the things that are.
2. When you know yourself, you can compromise and work with others without selling yourself short or losing who you are.
Everyone talks about negotiation and compromise, but a lot of women see that as a need to compromise themselves or to prioritize other people’s needs over their own. That’s a BIG misconception. When you know who you are, it’s easier to find the sweet spot between meeting others halfway and standing firm on your non-negotiables. This balance keeps you engaged in relationships without sacrificing your well-being. It’s your Goldilocks zone—not too much, not too little. You’ll find what just right for you.
3. When you know yourself, you stop caring about what other people think while still caring about who they are.
A solid self-relationship enhances your interactions with others. When you’re in tune with yourself, you engage more authentically and empathetically. This authenticity deepens connections and makes your relationships more meaningful. You can stop over-analyzing your actions or rehashing different situations throughout the day and just show up confident, present, and 100% YOU.
Developing a relationship with yourself doesn’t come from getting massages, zoning out with a show, or eating bon-bons (although I enjoy all the above).
It’s about truly understanding who you are.
This self-awareness empowers you to set healthy boundaries, manage stress, and tackle procrastination. It enriches your relationships and helps you give more authentically to those around you.
So today, take some time to date yourself. Discover what truly matters to you, recognize your limits, and understand your needs. When you do, everything else—boundaries, self-care, productivity—falls into place naturally, enriching your life and the lives of those around you.
Remember, you’re not just anyone; you’re custom-tailored, haute couture, and someone capable of extraordinary things.
So know yourself, trust yourself, love yourself. And, as always, Emerge Empowered!
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