In today’s fast-paced world, it’s common to find ourselves feeling exhausted, drained, and overwhelmed. We often struggle to keep up with the demands of work, family, and societal expectations, pushing our own needs to the back burner. But in the pursuit of being superheroes for everyone else, we often forget to replenish our own energy. It’s time to acknowledge the signs of exhaustion, burn out and take charge of our well-being, putting ourselves first without guilt.
Why Are We Exhausted?
- Constantly juggling between work, family, and personal life leaves us feeling stretched thin.
- Prioritising others’ needs above our own leads to emotional and physical exhaustion.
- Superwoman syndrome pressures us to excel in every role, from a caregiver to a professional, without acknowledging our limitations.
In an flight emergency, we are advised to put on our oxygen masks first before helping others, including our children. While this feels wrong, we need to put ourselves before other people sometimes. Similarly, taking care of ourselves is not selfish; it’s a necessary step to ensure we have the strength and capacity to support those we care about. Adopting a Superwoman role is hard… organising appointments, picking the children up from school, looking after elderly parents, listening to a friend who’s upset, spending time with our partners. The list could go on. No wonder so many of us feel exhausted.
It is not a magic wand that we need, it’s rewinding all the way back to basics. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs reminds us of the importance of addressing our basic survival needs first.
Start by focusing on meeting your survival needs:
- Adequate Sleep (read mhy sleep blog here)
- Nutrition
- Hydration
- Moving your Body!
When these fundamental needs are met, we are better equipped to thrive and avoid exhaustion and burnout. To be able to feel happy and fulfilled we need to then look beyond the basics, we must also explore activities that replenish our minds and souls:
- Who can you spend time with that makes you feel great?
- What things will make you feel better? Time with friends, booking a massage, being in nature, hugs or even time to yourself.
- What is your go to to replenish when you’re feeling low?
- Who is your support team?
It is all good trying to look at replenishing ourselves, but we do need other people’s help. There are times in our lives where we feel alone, and feel like there is no one around to help us, which is not always true.
You need to accept to be vulnerable and let others in.
Think about who you can reach out to, who can help you and which organisations can help you. This can be anything from a group of virtual friends on Facebook, to a mental health charity, to our friends and family.
Don’t underestimate the power of hiring someone to help you.
Having a cleaner saved my mental health.
I was at times eating beans on toast to save and make sure I was keeping her.
I know that sometimes hiring someone for help is not possible. When we were in that situation, I needed free support. So I had to think outside the box: I contacted our church congregation, involved myself in a time bank and also gave a friend’s teenager a couple of quid to entertain my eldest while I was looking after my baby.
Sometimes you need to change your thinking and put your hand up to say : “I NEED HELP” and when you start reaching out you might find help where you didn’t think that there was anything available.
As women, it’s essential to recognize that fuelling the Superwoman complex will not earn us any awards, and taking care of ourselves isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity.
By going back to basics, addressing our fundamental survival needs, and replenishing our minds and souls, we can build a strong foundation for a balanced and fulfilling life.
Remember to download the Serene Summer Workbook, which includes an energy check graphic and additional guidance on nurturing your well-being. Embrace the stress-free experience of putting yourself first, and you’ll discover a life filled with vitality, happiness, and overall well-being. Get your guide today and embark on a journey to prioritise self-care for a better quality of life.
