My Burnout Recovery Journey (So Far): Messy, Ongoing, & Full of Tiny Wins

I haven’t “beaten” burnout, but I’ve learned how to outsmart it (most days).

Here’s what’s working…

“Burnout didn’t make me stronger. It made me realize I’m human.”

A confession: I’m still unlearning hustle culture.

- I still sometimes say “yes” when I mean “no.”

- I still scroll Instagram at 2am.

- I still cry in my car sometimes.

But here’s what’s changed: I’ve stopped seeing burnout as a personal failure.

Instead, I’ve learned to treat myself (and others) with radical compassion.

This newsletter isn’t a “how-to.”

It’s a “hey, let’s figure this out together.”

• DEEP BREATHING EXERCISES (Mostly) Works

Use 4-7-8 breathing:

Inhale 4 → Hold 7 → Exhale 8 → Repeat.

I tried it during a medical emergency once… and hyperventilated.

Now? I use it while washing dishes, stuck in traffic, or doom scrolling.

Why I’m sharing this??

Small wins > perfection.

• Boundaries I’m Still Practicing

My people-pleasing roots run deep.

But here’s what’s helped:

- Scripts I steal:

“I can’t take this on right now, but I appreciate you asking.”

“Let me get back to you after I check my capacity.”

- My mantra:

“Boundaries aren’t walls—they’re bridges to sustainable care.”

Confession: I rehearse these in the mirror.

• The 7-Day Challenge That Changed Everything (Sort Of)

Last year, I committed to 7 days of “micro-joys”, I'm not sure if you're familiar with the term "glimmer", but most of the time, it actually works!

- Day 1: Danced to Lizzo in my scrubs (before a shift).

- Day 4: Said “no” to a favor (then panicked for hours).

- Day 7: Texted a friend: “I’m proud of me for surviving.”

What I learned: Progress isn’t linear. But joy is contagious.

**A "glimmer" refers to a small, positive moment or experience that evokes feelings of safety, joy, or connection, often used in the context of the nervous system and mental well-being. It's the opposite of a trigger, which can trigger a negative emotional or physiological response. 

• Why I’m Sharing This Now

Burnout recovery isn’t a solo mission.

The more we normalize the mess, the less shame thrives.

What inspires me:

- Nurses who admit they’re struggling (but keep showing up).

- Friends who text, “I napped today!” like it’s a victory (it is).

- The quiet courage of small, rebellious acts of self-care.

JOIN ME!!!

• Grab my free BurnOut Survival Tool Kit→ Tiny wins that helped me (and might help you).
• Share your story → Comment with one small act of self-care you’re proud of.

This isn’t about fixing ourselves.

It’s about refusing to let broken systems break us.

P.S. Tag Your Burnout Buddy

Know someone who’s tired of pretending they’re “fine”?

Tag them below.

Let’s normalize asking for help.

#BurnoutRecovery #NurseCommunity #WorkInProgress #MentalHealthAwareness #SelfCareIsMessy