The Radical Act of Self Preservation

3d comic book style image to show how important it is to rest. Picture of a women with long blonde wavy hair, wearing bright pink jumper with a yellow dolphin on it. She is holding a small postcard that says "REST" on it

The Radical Act of Self Preservation

We need to talk.

Not about policies, performance reviews, or how many times someone can complain about how Nigel has cooked fish in the kitchen microwave again!

IYKYK

No, we need to talk about YOU.

More specifically, about why you – yes, you – need to rest before your body, brain, and soul demand it in ways you can’t ignore.

Take it from one that knows!

Burnout isn’t just stress cranked up to the max

It’s what happens when stress, unrealistic demands, toxicity, and the erosion of your sense of self collide.

Kelly Swingler (aka my ‘bestie) talks about burnout as more than exhaustion – it’s what happens when you lose yourself in the relentless push to be everything to everyone.

And us HR geeks – well, we’re prime candidates for this, because we’re the ones holding everything up, when sh1t gets real and things around us start crumbling.

But at what cost?

For many of us, it’s not just about managing time – it’s about managing energy. The mind might be willing, but the body? It’s waving the white flag.

And when even an extended hibernation doesn’t cut it, you know you’ve hit a wall.

Burnout can take years to recover from, and trust me, you don’t want to go there if you can help it!

Toxicity – Sense of Self = Burnout

Kelly (Swingles’) says burnout isn’t just about exhaustion; it’s the result of prolonged stress, unmet needs, a loss of identity, and the erosion of boundaries (or, as I prefer to call them, non-negotiables).

It manifests in many ways – physically, emotionally, and mentally – but at its core, burnout thrives when the environments we work in take more than they give.

And guess what, we’re living in a world that glorifies hustle, ignores personal limits, and often punishes self-care and a week off won’t erase years of overextension, so you really need to take care of yourselves!

Three signs you might be on the edge:

🚨 Brain Fog or Forgetfulness – Ever walked into a room and forgotten why you were there? Or found yourself rereading the same email five times? That’s not “just being busy.” Chronic stress can impair cognitive function, leaving you feeling like you’re losing your edge.

🔥 Irritability or Emotional Overload – Snapping at your team? Getting teary over something minor? Burnout often leaves people emotionally raw. These aren’t just “bad days” – they’re warning signs that your resilience reserves are running on empty.

🖤 Feeling Numb or Disconnected – When wins stop feeling like wins and the things you used to care about seem… meh, it’s time to pay attention. Losing your spark isn’t normal – it’s a distress signal that you’re mentally and emotionally depleted.