How to avoid burnout this summer

Summer can feel so precious, signaling time to slow down and rest, moments to stop and smell the flowers, opportunities for connection with friends and loved ones, and space to do less. 

However, summer may also usher in a seemingly-endless number of things to do—from social invites, kiddo playdates and camps, and weekends away, to the barrage of projects at home or work that demand attention. Time can so easily disappear and be snatched up, competing with the desire to simply slow down. By the time September rolls around, the end result might just feel like an energetic hangover vs a transition from respite. 

This is a vicious cycle that I myself have been trapped in before. It took a lot of boundary setting, reflection, and intentionality to reign in my summer commitments to design a season that left me feeling energized and replenished rather than frazzled and depleted. 

If you’re seeking more balance and less burnout, you’re in good company. I’m pretty passionate about this topic and want to share some resources with you that will help you design a summer season in support of your needs.

Mindset Shift: Rest and Self Care Don’t Need to Be Earned

Before we dive into the below resources, it may be worthwhile to pause and reflect on how you’ve been spending your time this summer so far, how you’d like to be spending your time, and what might need to change to bridge that gap.  

Remember, you are your biggest asset and your ability to show up for others starts first and foremost with your ability to show up for yourself. This is something I need to continually remind myself of so I can be a good partner, parent, friend, and working professional.

That means we innately need rest to show up in our lives—and we don’t have to earn it or work ourselves to the bone to justify taking time off. That mindset is the foundation for everything that follows.

Work Less This Summer

If you know you tend to get wrapped up in work and say “yes” to every project that comes your way, it might be time for a tune up. 

This might feel like a daunting task, especially if you work on a demanding team, but I’m guessing there are opportunities for you to make a few slight shifts to your day that will help restore better work-life balance.

Check out this post for a list of 6 things you can do to practice setting boundaries and saying “no” in your professional life. Doing so will give you more control over your capacity so you can focus on the non-work priorities that matter most to you.

Take a Hiatus From Social Media 

About 4 years ago, I quit Instagram and Facebook, and it was probably one of the best things I could have done to reclaim my time and feel more empowered. I’m not saying you need to go cold turkey like I did, but it’s so impactful to take time away from the channels that are draining your energy and time. 

I wrote an article about my experience quitting, what to expect if you quit (like the fallout and feelings of FOMO), 5 things you can do instead of mindlessly scrolling, and tips for managing your relationship with bottomless social media. Check it out here.

Invest in Anti-Burnout Rituals, Mindsets, and Practices

Last year I shared my own personal story of how burnout snuck up on me and dramatically impacted my life. After my wake-up call (detailed in this article), I spent a year unlearning the crap that got me into my burned-out state and couldn’t believe the response I got when I shared my story. 

Today, more than 20K+ people have viewed it, which tells me that burnout is top of mind for many and that too many of us are struggling with it. 

I think it’s especially important to talk about these themes in the summer when it’s so tempting to RSVP “yes” to every last invite and over-schedule ourselves. 

If you’re looking for a little support as you navigate burnout or simply seek to prevent it, this post lists the tactics, mantras, and resources that were critical on my own journey. I hope you find them helpful, too! 

Embrace Ease and Be Gentle with Yourself

A few years ago, my intention for the year was to create more ease in my life. It sounds simple on paper, but think about how easy it is to move to anger in traffic, become reactive during hard conversations, and get swept up in complaints when things don’t go our way.

Cultivating ease has been a huge attitude shift for me. Once you get into the rhythm, it’s contagious and pays dividends, both personally and professionally.

Check out this post to see the practices I make time for every day. In doing so, you might just find that you’re less easily ruffled and have more capacity for gratitude. 

Resisting Burnout is a Radical Act

In a culture that glorifies overwork, hustle, and the “busy” badge, prioritizing your wellbeing is hard work because it challenges the status quo. I can’t promise you any quick fixes, but I can say that through my own experience I’ve found so much more ease and enjoyment in life after having done the work to unlearn old habits and embrace new ways of being. 

So, here’s to a summer of taking breaks, finding pause, and honoring the rebellious spirit required to reclaim precious time and energy!