Emotional Burnout!
As a woman do you sometimes feel that no matter how much you do, it just isn’t enough? The day-to-day chores seem so mundane and monotonous that you take up more to challenge yourself and discover a new you, only to be submerging yourself in more responsibilities. And now, you’ve stretched your limits, feeling discontented with yourself, and unable to satisfy the needs of others around you.
Sound familiar? Well, you’re not alone. A recent Harris Poll survey revealed 35% women felt burned out at home compared to just 25% of men. Moreover, 48% of these women said that their burn out was intense enough to keep them awake at night.
A lot of the blame goes back to as early as our childhood and high school years when we place status on high achievement. We’re pressured in our grades, friendships, extra-curricular activities and more. The pressure of having to be brilliant at all times creeps into our adulthood and merges into every aspect of our lives.
But there are other reasons for burnout such as:
- Lack of support
- Inadequate appreciation
- Taking on more than one can handle (Personally and professionally)
- Poor self-care (Physical and mental)
Which can lead to physical symptoms, emotional exhaustion, reduced performance, lack of enthusiasm in our favorite activities, and even tension in relationships.
So what can we do when experiencing burn outs?
I cannot stress enough the importance of self-love. We should begin to love and respect ourselves for who and what we are, and not give the power to another to do it for us instead. The fact that we unfortunately give into societal pressures of how a woman ought to be is what is now becoming detrimental to our health and wellbeing- physical and mental. Burnout is serious and is slowly becoming the new epidemic worldwide.
Over time, the warped idea of supposed “perfection” has superseded the basic necessity for one to be themselves, to do the best within their ability, to draw boundaries, and to be happy and content with it. It doesn’t mean that as a woman you shouldn’t desire to be more than you are. Of course you should and you can be! It just means that you should respect yourself enough to achieve and become the best version of yourself at the pace and for the reasons that you establish for yourself, not at the pace and reasons that society determines for you!
As women, we play vital roles at home, in our interpersonal lives, and in society. Along with the many priceless roles we don with ease and dignity, be it a grandmother, mother, sister, wife, daughter, etc., we have women who are also out there conquering the world and mastering many professions and arts with the utmost flamboyance, making women-kind worldwide proud.
We should be an inspiration to the future generations, just like the beautiful women of strength from our Islamic History. They were the manifestation of fortitude, and worthy of inspiration. Their distinct stories and challenges are incomparable to any of those that we face on a daily basis. Yet, they overcame them with immense grace and dignity.
Cut yourself some slack. Take it easy on yourself. Give yourself a well- deserved break. You are amazing just the way you are. You are capable. You are powerful. You are brave. You are strong. You are Passionate. You are all of this a whole lot more!! No one can tell or make you feel otherwise, because,
You are a Warrior!
Written by Safra Nawasadeen