July 03, 2019

Writer's Burnout Part 10 (No Stress)


Health Update: I will be having surgery on July 11th (next Thursday) on my right ovary to have the cyst and endometriosis removed. They won't know the extent of things until they go in, but there's a possibility they may have to remove more. I'd appreciate prayers and good thoughts. Also, I have blog posts scheduled throughout the month, but it may take me a while to return visits after the 11th, if I am able to (healing is 4-6 weeks). But I will pop in to see your comments and to reply back to them. 


What is writer’s burnout?

Burnout is very different from writer’s block. It’s worse. Writer’s burnout is something you feel deep down…bone-deep. It’s just like when athletes burnout from working themselves too hard and too much for too long. They can lose their love of the sport, physically and mentally. You can get writer's burnout from doing anything related to being an author.


To read my story and all my burnout tips check out:
Writer's Burnout Part 10 (No stress) - Tips 25 - 26



More Tips to Help You START Reversing Writer’s Burnout:


None of the tips above will help you, truly help you, unless you eliminate stress from your life.

The number one cause of burnout is doing too much too quickly.

You can prevent burnout by eliminating stress or accepting help now. And you can do the same to heal yourself if you are currently burned out.


MY STORY:

In 2017, when I was immersed in depression and burned out, I evaluated my responsibilities and made the decision to step back from a couple of duties that took up too much of my time and effort, heightened my stress levels, and were no longer making me happy. I knew the decision was right the moment I made up my mind because I felt lighter without those stressors weighing me down. And I have never regretted my decisions.

Questions to ask yourself:

-      What causes me the most stress?
-      Do all of my “jobs” still bring me joy?
-      Are there people in my life who make me feel unappreciated?
-      Does one of my responsibilities bring me unwanted drama?
-      Where am I overworked?
-      What takes up most of my time and effort with little or no reward?

Now ask yourself:

-      Where can I ask for help?
-      Where can I take a step back?

TIP #25: Juggle Less

If you have too many balls in the air and are struggling to juggle them all, give yourself permission to drop one or two of those balls. When you do, your tempo will be renewed and you will be able to juggle with ease.

TIP #26: Divide and Conquer 

If you have too much on your plate, divide a couple of those larger portions in half and offer one half to someone else you trust. Or delegate a couple of small portions to another. Do you have a partner? Can you hire a virtual assistant? What about a supportive friend or family member?


If something doesn’t make you happy anymore, imagine your happiness once you shed that responsibility. If you dread something, it’s not meant to be.

Really evaluate your answers to the questions above, meditate on them if you need to, trust yourself, and do what you need to do for you, your health, and your writing.


I think this is my last post for Writer’s Burnout.


QUESTIONS: How stressed out are you on a scale of 1 to 10? Have any of my posts helped you? I hope so. :)

87 comments:

  1. Hope, everything goes well with your surgery....

    Have a wonderful summer...

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  2. Great post, Chrys. I'm in a similar place regarding re-evaluating life and writing. It's hard but worth it. I hope! :)

    Sending prayers your way....

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    1. Take time evaluating everything. I hope it helps!

      Thank you!

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  3. Will be praying for you!

    What I stress most about is when I have so much to do or take care of. I always get it done, but I'm exhausted and stressed. My problem is trying make everything in my life perfect and that just isn't possible or necessary.

    Teresa

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    1. Thank you, Teresa!

      That was my problem. I was always doing too much and would exhaust myself and stress myself out.

      Delete
  4. Sending you healing thoughts for your surgery and recovery. As always, you have great food for thought when it comes to writer burnout.

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  5. Hope your surgery goes well. You'll be in my thoughts and prayers.

    And after having a totally too busy life, I am finally understanding the benefits of stepping back from some obligations and slowing down. It's like my biggest wish right now--not to be so busy.

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    1. Thank you, Natalie!

      Not being so busy is a wish, indeed. :)

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  6. Definitely have a lot of writing projects going at the same time. And have been thinking about dropping a few to come back to later. The hard part is choosing which.

    Hope your surgery and recovery goes well. Happy 4th!

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    1. I've also had to figure out which projects to put on the back burner. It's tough because I want to work on those, too, but I tell myself it'll be better for the project as well as for myself if I focused on less.

      Thank you, Lidy!

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  7. Will definitely be praying for you.
    It's easy to get caught up in doing too much - people these days have a hard time saying no. Then they are overwhelmed and not happy.

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    1. Thanks, Alex!

      That's very true. Most of the time, though, they have the best of intentions when they say, "yes." But for themselves, they need to learn to pass.

      Delete
  8. First off, best wishes for your surgery. I'll be sending lots of positive thoughts your way, but you've got to follow your own advise. Don't stress your body by trying to do too much too soon. Let your body heal.

    Talking about stress, the main source of stress in my life involves politics and the state of the world today. Being a news junkie means I'm not willing to bury my head in the sand and pretend none of it is happening, but I have learned not to obsess over it. My personal life has much less stress, so I focus on that. The good things.

    Take care, and have a happy 4th!

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    1. Thank you, Susan! I've had many surgeries and know that I can't do what I intend. I usually can't even read. lol I will give myself all the healing time I need. :)

      I watch a lot of news, too. It can get overwhelming.

      Happy 4th of July!

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  9. The Writer's Burnout series has been excellent, thank you!

    Sending healing vibes your way for surgery--I hope it will reduce your pain big time. I had to go to the ER recently for a ruptured ovarian cyst and it was no fun.

    Now you've got me singing "Meant to Be" with that great meme!

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    1. I'm glad you like this series. This is that last post for it, however.

      Thank you so much!

      Delete
  10. Your burnout posts have been excellent and helpful. A lot of the cause for my burnout rests in the hands of Dementia. Now that Mom is in a wondeful nursing home and she is settled, it's easier to keep up with everything and stop that overhwelmed sensation. I'm still on the road back to my norm but I'm getting there!

    Will be sending all kinds of positive vibes your way. Take care of yourself - heal first. Everything else will be there when you're up to it. Take care!!

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    1. Thank you, Jemi!

      I'm glad you're back on the road to your norm. Hugs to you!

      Delete
  11. Praying for an easy surgery and a restful recovery. Remember when they say not to life more than 5 lbs, don't pick up more than a single book! (They told me not to lift more than 5 lbs and I kept thinking - this bag can't be more than that, right? Wrong. Any of those surgeries in the pelvic/abdominal area require serious rest afterwards. Don't do stairs!) Sorry if I sound like a mother hen, but I had a similar surgery two years ago and I spent a long, long time recovering because I kept breaking the rules. Every time I took the stairs or picked up something too heavy, I set back my recovery time.
    Be good to yourself, pray, accept help, rest.
    Prayers and hugs!

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    1. Thank you, Tyrean! I am fortunate that there are no stairs in my house. I will be resting on the couch. And the books I have on standby are Goodsebumps books, and those are very light. :)

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  12. I'll be sending lots of good vibes your way for your surgery!

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  13. Hi Chrys, I agree that sometime we must step back, analyze and then do what doesn't give us anxiety, what doesn't stress us out and what makes us happy. Your posts have been very helpful to me.

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    1. I am really glad my posts have been helpful to you. <3

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  14. My thoughts and prayers are with you, and I hope we hear good news!
    I strike out unneeded stress immediately (a trick I learned a long time ago). So, my stress level is very low. But then, living in the middle of no where definitely helps with that.

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    1. Thank you, Tonja!

      That is great! I need to learn that trick. ;)

      Delete
  15. Best of luck with your surgery! I've had dysmenorrhea most of my menstruating life, and it was quite severe in my teens and very early twenties. I've sometimes wondered if it could've been undiagnosed endometriosis. I'm sure the surgery will be worth removing the pain.

    We absolutely should step back if something isn't making us happy. Even if we make it to 125, life's too short to waste on things that don't bring us happiness.

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    1. Thank you, Carrie-Anne!

      The only things I'm worried about is the surgeon having to remove more and the endometriosis coming back down the road.

      Delete
  16. Hi,
    I am praying for you and sending positive thoughts your way for a great recovery.
    I have just read your burnout post and now need to go back and read the rest, I will do that because the one I just read has helped me think about some things.
    Take care and relax so your body can heal.
    Wishing you a great fourth of July before your surgery,

    Shalom aleichem,
    Pat G @ EverythingMustChange

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    1. Thank you, Pat!

      I am glad my post got you thinking. I hope the rest help you, too. :)

      Happy 4th!

      Delete
  17. You will be in my thoughts next Thursday, Chrys. I hope it ends up routine and a non-event.

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  18. Juggle less/divide and conquer is such great advice for any author feeling overwhelmed. I admit I sometimes struggle to actually do those things, but it's always for the best. Fortunately, I found someone who has been instrumental in helping me keep a certain local writers group afloat. I really don't know where that group would be without her. :)

    Sending you lots of positive healing vibes!

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    1. *looks around* Are you talking about me? Aw shucks! I think you do more than I do. :)

      Thank you!

      Delete
  19. There are those things I'd like to dump and when I'm in the right spot financially, they are out the window.

    We will put in a prayer request for you this weekend.

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    1. I know what you mean. There are still things I'd like to dump or do less of.

      Thank you!

      Delete
  20. I will be praying for you Chrys. Clever title ;)

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  21. Praying that your surgery and recover go well. I've enjoyed reading your Burnout series of posts. So helpful. Saying no to (or quitting) stressful jobs can be so hard but liberating. Like weights lifted off your shoulders.

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    1. Thank you!

      I'm truly glad you liked this series of posts. This is the last one, though.

      Delete
  22. I fear I will be juggling a lot of balls sometime in the near future. I'll just have to learn which ones I can drop without breaking any toes.

    Good luck with the surgery!

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    Replies
    1. It takes a little bit to learn that, but it's an important lesson.

      Thank you!

      Delete
  23. This is timely advice for me, Chrys. I have been experiencing some burn out of late and I know I need to learn to let some things go. I wish you all the very best for your surgery next week. Best wishes.

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    Replies
    1. Good luck to you with your burn out!

      Thank you!

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  24. Thanks for writing these posts. I've learned a little; changed a little. It's all for the good. :-)

    Anna from elements of emaginette

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  25. I'm more stressed about being on the board of my local writing group. So much going on right now. Thoughts and prayers with you. Take time to heal.

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    1. All the best with you with your new duties!

      Thanks!

      Delete
  26. Positive thoughts and prayers for a successful surgery and recovery! You have us ALL behind you. Take care and keep us posted.

    I agree so much with your solutions for stress. Stress can kill. I know. I am working through so many of my triggers right now. THANKS for the tips, they are greatly appreciated!

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    1. Thank you so much! I will post an update on my August IWSG Day post.

      You're welcome for the tips! Wishing you all the best.

      Delete
  27. First, wishing you the best with your surgery and a speedy recovery.

    This has been an excellent series and I've found wisdom in all of the posts. Based upon other comment content over the last few months, I think you've touched a lot of people with your insights. Burn out is something most writer's are faced with at some point in their career.

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    1. Thank you, Lee!

      Your comment means a lot to me, Lee. Thank you so much for that!

      Delete
  28. Hopefully everything goes well with the surgery.

    Yeah, when too many balls in the air, kick a few to the curb.

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  29. I wish you successful surgery and an easy recovery. Take care of yourself.

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  30. The only thing I dread is marketing! LOL.
    I'll be praying for you, Chrys. Good luck with your surgery <3

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    1. Marketing sucks. LOL That was the reason for a lot of my burn out.

      Thank you, Gwen!

      Delete
  31. Hope everything goes well with the surgery!
    The only thing that really stresses me out right now is my day job. I can't really just drop it at this moment in time, but I feel like a change is inevitable. It's just gonna take some time to figure out what the next step is.

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  32. Great tips, Chrys. I think we take on more than we can handle sometimes (without realizing it) until we feel overwhelmed. It's hard to ask for help but that's exactly what an author should do when faced with burn out.


    Wishing you a speedy recovery from surgery, Chrys. I'll be sending out prayers and thoughts for you next week.

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    1. Definitely. We take on more than we should all the time, not knowing it's too much for us until we feel the impact.

      Thank you, Lisa!

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  33. Stress is terrible. It will do a number on you. Finding someone to help with the burdens is a great tip.

    Sending healing thoughts for your surgery.

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  34. I love your posts. You are so inspiring. Happy IWSG day. Healing and prayers!

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  35. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

    Yep, stress is one of those things we need to learn how to manage or it can be a huge detriment to us. Thank you for talking about it.

    Elsie

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  36. Will be thinking of you and hoping for the best with your surgery. I hope all goes as smoothly as possible and your recovery will be swift.
    Your posts are always so helpful. I feel like I am finally coming out of depression and burnout but it's slow going.
    Sending many hugs and good wishes your way!!

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    1. Thank you so much, Julie!

      It is slow going, unfortunately. :( But I am glad you're coming out of it!

      Delete
  37. I'm so sorry to hear about the surgery. It sounds intense. Hope you come through it with flying colors and heal quickly.
    I'll be thinking about you.

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  38. Sending you good thoughts for the surgery. Hope all goes well.

    Thank you for all these posts about burnout. I'm not sure that my problem is burnout, but some of your tips are definitely helpful!

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    1. Thank you, Rebecca!

      You're welcome! And, whatever you have, I sincerely do hope they help.

      Delete
  39. I definitely send prayers your way and hope all goes well with your surgery. Thank you so much for your Bactine posts. I do have a bit of stress, but am doing my best to find tools to handle it and your posts help.

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    1. Thank you, Lisa!

      I hope your stress levels lower. And I am glad my posts help. Take care!

      Delete
  40. I've really loved your Bactine for Writer's Burnout series. Very practical advice that has often helped me over rough patches in my writing life. Right now, my personal stress is pretty low, but my work stress has a cyclical nature (academic calendar) and I'm in the lull period for a few more weeks. What I have to watch for is trying to stuff too much into my non-teaching time and leaving myself as worn and unrefreshed as I was at summer's beginning. @mirymom1 from
    Balancing Act

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  41. I will keep you in prayer on the 11th. Take care of yourself. As for my stress level, it depends on the day.

    www.thepulpitandthepen.com

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  42. Chrys, you are ALWAYS in my prayers. All best to you, my dear!

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  43. Prayers for sure! hopefully things go better than expected.

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  44. Sending prayers your way, for your surgery! I know everything will go well. Great post! Big Hugs!

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  45. Excellent advice! It's easy to get into a routine of things that may not be productive and then forget we can make changes. We all need to prune back sometimes. Hope you have a speedy recovery.

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  46. All good advice on how to beat the writer's burnout. And lots and lots of prayers and positive healing thoughts for you. Wishing you speedy recovery.

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  47. I have found your posts very helpful. For me, my challenge has been picking and choosing, and also balancing some of my health issues. I've gotten rid of the things that bring me dread but I still struggle with dropping some of the balls that represent long-term dreams.

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