Topic Tuesday // Burnout // 24 Jan. 7pm AEDT

It could be the start of burnout @Shaz51. The numbness to me is like when a bucket is full of water and you try to add some more. It can't be absorbed. We can become like that - things just slide off us because we can't take on any more. Or have nothing left to give.

Does that sound like something that might be going on for you?

For me @Appleblossom, that original burnout has made me more easily susceptible to it happening again. Although I'm much quicker at picking it up and course correcting. Is that true for you?

Wearing thin is a really great description @Tanoozle. What are the signs of that for you?

Hello @Tanoozle, @Appleblossom, @Former-Member

yes it does @Former-Member,

would you connect burnout with phyisal illness ??

I think it can lead to physical illness @Shaz51. Which is why I've become so passionate about people recognising the need for greater balance - taking care of their own needs too. But I think a physical illness - in your case the flu - could also the the 'final straw' that kicks off burnout. it can wipe out our final reserves.

I feel like I manifested that illness so that I finally had an excuse to stop. I wouldn't give myself permission to do that before becoming ill. Kicking myself over it now of course.

Slowing down to take care of your flu might be good for you emotionally as well.

Hi @Former-Member

I read your experience about burnout and found it very interesting. Thank you.

I was just thinking today that I don't feel really myself. Where normally I would feel very deeply about something or excited I don't feel very much at all. It's not that I don't care or recognise a good thing - I just don't feel much. Although I feel like I am coping better in ways and not as anxious as I once was, I am also not feeling real joy - and never really look forward to or become excited over the things I use to. I feel like I am flatlining.......And I do need a lot of sleep but not chronically fatigued. I can tend to zone out and people comment that I seem to "block out" what others say at times (this is also not done consciously). I feel I am zoning out more....

Is this emotional numbness I am experiencing? or could there be another reason. I do believe in emotionally detaching for self preservation but I am not doing the above consciously.

Are there any other symptoms that could indicate such? And what is the best course of action to come out of this? To feel fully again? I have been under extreme stress the last year but ironically felt I coped extremely well. I am feeling a bit confused to what is happening to me. Any advice appreciated

Hello @Former-Member

I sure it has been building up for a little while,bit by bit and then last week hubby had kidney stones, my mum was put in hospital for a few days and now me

Hi @Former-Member, what you're describing does sound like emotional numbing. For me it certainly wasn't a conscious choice - in fact I never even realised it had happened until it was pointed out. It was an unconscious coping mechanism that just went way too far. I remember doing a sandplay therapy course and creating a scene in which I was this little frog being attacked by a whole range of nasty creatures! I wasn't consciously feeling under-attack but I was so very drained that some part of my psyche felt that way.

Have you been feeling regularly over-whelmed during the past year? I think that's generally a precursor.