From Burnout to Balance

From Burnout to Balance: Lessons Learned in Building a Startup Business.

In the early days of my journey as a social media manager, I found myself constantly battling burnout. I had this ambitious vision of conquering every platform, generating endless streams of content, and engaging with audiences around the clock.

Yet, despite my best efforts, I was often left feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, and defeated.

My downfall?

Setting unrealistic goals and expectations for myself. I would wake up each morning with a daunting to-do list, determined to accomplish everything in a single day. From brainstorming content ideas to creating graphics, writing captions, taking and editing videos and scheduling posts – I tried to do it all at once, believing that productivity equated to success. However, this approach only led to frustration and disappointment.

No matter how hard I worked, I never seemed to make significant progress. Instead, I found myself stuck in a perpetual cycle of exhaustion and self-doubt.

Every missed deadline or unfinished task felt like a personal failure, further fuelling my burnout.

It wasn't until I hit rock bottom that I realised something needed to change. I couldn't continue down this path of self-destruction. I needed to adopt a more strategic and sustainable approach to my work. So, I took a step back and revaluated my priorities. I learned to set realistic goals that aligned with my capabilities and resources.

Rather than trying to tackle everything at once, I began breaking tasks down into smaller, more manageable chunks. I scheduled dedicated time for brainstorming, content creation, and scheduling, allowing myself the space to focus on each aspect of my work without feeling overwhelmed.

What I learned?

I learned to be kinder to myself.

I stopped berating myself for every missed deadline or imperfect post. Instead, I celebrated my successes, no matter how small, and learned from my mistakes.

I embraced the concept of progress over perfection, understanding that growth takes time and patience.

Today, I'm proud to say that I've overcome my burnout and found a healthier balance in my work. By setting realistic goals, managing my time effectively, and practicing self-compassion.

The moral of the story is: prioritising self-care and setting realistic goals can lead to sustainable success.

Remember, it's okay to take a step back, reassess, and adjust your approach when needed. Let my journey be a reminder that progress is a journey, not a destination.

Embrace the process, learn from each step, and trust in your ability to navigate challenges with resilience and determination.