How To Avoid Burnout

**QuilterMom** · 10-12-2004, 08:40 PM

These are notes from a seminar I attended at my state homeschool convention.

How To Avoid Burnout
Debbie Strayer http://www.cspress.com/authors.htm

* How to Avoid/Recover from Burnout:
1.) What is burnout? What are the symptoms?
- Physical
- Mental
- Emotional
- Spiritual

2.) Who can become burned out?
- Anyone!

* How can we recover from/avoid burnout?
1.) Step back and look at the big picture.

2.) Recognize God's economy at work.

- There are days for all of us where we feel like we can't keep going.

- Burnout happens to people who care deeply about what they're doing and who are following something they believe in with all their heart.

- You can't keep taking out without putting in. You can't keep drawing from your energy and not have anything going in to replenish yourself.

- Learn to say NO! Don't give in to weakness. Say no when you need to without apologizing.

- Burnout can happen from your children, your husband, your church, etc. Anyone can get burned out.

- We feel a lot of stress for our children to achieve.

- We have reminders all around us of what we haven't done. There are things that can "accuse" you wherever you go. When you start taking all this in, it can overwhelm you.

* The Symptoms of Burnout:
1.) You are tired (all the time).
2.) You end up getting sick.

- #1 point: You need to rest!

3.) Stress.
4.) You become discouraged and vulnerable to the enemy (satan).

- Don't try to manage everything yourself. You have a "team" in your house (your family) to pray for you and help you.

5.) Emotions come and emotions go.

- Handle your emotions by submitting them to the Lord.
- Never decide to quit doing something (such as homeschooling) based on how you feel. Always pray about it first!

- The enemy (satan) doesn't like what you're doing (homeschooling).

- You need to have a friendship with your child. You are a team that God has called together.

- When you are a Christian that God has called to homeschool, all you have to do is look in Scripture to see what happened to people that God called (it wasn't always pretty and it wasn't always easy).

- The fruit of your efforts (homeschooling) is eternal.

- Don't count everything as a grade as to whether or not you have been successful.

- We do what we do to see our children following the calling God has placed on their lives.

- When you face trials (financial, illness, etc.) don't give up on homeschooling. God will give you the grace to do it. Ask God to give you the grace to continue.

- Don't get so taken up with the nuts & bolts and academics of homeschooling that you miss God.

- You have to readjust your focus from time to time.

- God has a plan for your child. He's had a plan since before you decided to homeschool. It's His plan. You are merely a tool in the plan. Put your focus on Him and His plan! Stick to the plan that God has given you for your child. Don't focus on what your neighbors or friends are doing. Put your focus back on the Lord (Psalm 139). When you fail, He will make sure He provides a means of success for your child in spite of your failure.

- Be guided by peace.

* Readjust Your Focus

* Seek Spiritual and Practical Solutions, But Be Guided By Peace
- Adjustment of situation or approach.
- Adjustment of outside obligations.
- Adjustment of expectations.
- Adjustment of managerial styles.
- Adjustment of personal steardship.

- We get busy meeting other people's expectations and end up setting our own children aside. Make sure your obligations aren't causing you to put them (your children) low on your priority list.

- The most important part of personal stewardship is taking care of yourself! Stay healthy, eat right, take your vitamins, etc.

- When you feel confused, step back and pray about it. Feel the peace of the Lord about it.

- Pray for your friends who are struggling (and the ones who aren't - they might be and it just doesn't outwardly appear that way). Pray for the Lord to give you strength to finish the race.

- Let your children know the important things and pray and trust in the Lord for the rest.

- Reach out to those around you.

**guest2** · 10-12-2004, 08:53 PM

Great reminder!!!! I can so relate to the burnout. I'm headed there quickly myself at the moment and am taking this weekend to just rest and do nothing.

**homesteadmamma** · 10-12-2004, 10:05 PM

I can relate to burnout too and it takes years to get over (if you ever do). Great points here that everyone, not just homeschoolers should listen to.

Thanks Kim.

**Goodwin17** · 10-12-2004, 11:09 PM

I'm a perfect example of a burnout victim. I've been going to school every single year since I was 4 (I'm 23 now). I've worked really hard and had no social life. I'm in a terrible state of burnout right now. I'm almost at the end, but the demands are getting tougher. I've been getting sick and my depression has really been on a high level. To combat some of it I've cut back on working, said no to a few things, and now I've decided to drop an unnecessary class. Those are some excellent pointers, and they're so important!

**homesteadmamma** · 10-12-2004, 11:16 PM

Heather,

Burnout isn't fun. Its a way for our bodies to tell us we need to step back and slow down. For many, they don't pay attention to the warnings. I didn't and paid the consequences. I'm glad to hear your taking a step back and listening to what your body is telling you. I hope it all works out for you.

**forestdale** · 10-13-2004, 12:28 AM

Seems like a very good seminar, Kim. I'm sure you got excellent information there.

Heather, I hope you do take some time to yourself and recover your life. Give some time to yourself, it's a good investment. Slow down and discover the natural world around you. Nature is a great teacher.