Earlier this month I wrote a blog post on my top lessons from 3 months of blogging. A key part of launching my platform AND keeping it afloat is ensuring that I do not get overwhelmed and burnt out. I started blogging seriously at a time when a lot of things were happening in my life and I have been able to handle everything while remaining gentle with myself. Here are some of the realistic things I did to have some peace of mind.

Talk to your close friends and family

Tapping into your support system is an instant and great way to alleviate any stress or burnout you might be feeling. They could either be available to talk to you and to support you in coping or they might be in the same boat as you are. This breaks the mirage that everyone has everything figured out and is doing okay. It makes things easier to talk about and minimizes the shame we have when asking for help or talking about burnout. This also helps because mental health support can be very inaccessible!

Take a break

From work, from social media from engaging. Do something outside of your regular routine. Go for a walk or a run. More often than not I have been on this end of things where I sit all day working non-stop, doing the same thing. You cannot be productive 100% of the time. Not only is this monotony dull but can also be frustrating. Take a break to stretch or breathe some fresh air before getting back to what you have been working on. Breaks recharge you and refuel your energy as you get back to work. 

Delegate if you are in a position to

We’ve all been there. We have a gazillion things that are impossibly human to do, but our ambition tells us not to worry because we can do everything ourselves. A couple of weeks later we are swimming in regret because we failed to do everything ourselves. *Surprise* We’re all human.

Delegation is underrated as a great way to avoid burnout because it is seen as an admission of what we cannot do. If you have the means to, please delegate. Hire people with the skills and time to do what you are limited to do. It’s okay. 

Talk to a Therapist or mental health Counselor

Severe burnout might be an indication that you should seek professional help. All the calendars and planning in the world could never be enough to save an extremely burnout individual. Talk to a therapist, your school dean, a mental health counselor, a mentor or anyone who can help you cope because they are equipped with the support tools that you do not have.