Recharging your Soul

The 8 a.m. sunrise in The Hague overlooking the Canal

This morning I woke up and thought about the feeling of waking up in South Africa on a Monday morning. Mostly feeling like the weekends were not long enough. South Africans are busy people. There's always somewhere to go, always someone to see, and even if you don’t have plans, someone will be ready to see you.

The concept of burnout is something new for many people, and it has taken some adjusting. While burnout itself is not a new term, I’d always heard it thrown around, but I never fully understood it. When I lived in South Africa, people would talk about burnout, and I quickly concluded that the solution was simple: prioritize your sleep, take some pills if necessary, and get a good night’s rest. The answer seemed obvious to me.

However, it wasn’t until I heard the term used among Dutch people that I truly began to understand what it meant. In the Netherlands, people who experience burnout are often placed on official sick leave, which can last up to six months. Rather than prescribing medication, they focus on helping individuals cope and deal with their environment in a more constructive manner. It’s not about rest as we typically think of it; it’s about recharging. People are encouraged to evaluate all aspects of their lives and reframe their approach, acknowledging that it’s not simply about rest, but about restoring their mental and emotional energy.

I know a few people who have gone through this process, and being the curious person that I am, I always ask how they knew they were burnt out. The story is usually the same: it begins with a regular illness, like a cold or flu. After the symptoms of the illness subside, the feeling of fatigue lingers far beyond what would be expected. It’s like the Monday morning blues, but every day, all day.

I realise now, that instead of term that is used interchangably with exhaustion, most people do not fully understand when your body has taken on too much. While it is important to live a full life, never underestimate the power of doing a little less a little of the time.

The causes of burnout are typically similar: too many things happening all at once in every area of life, with no real break from the cycle of stress. This probably explains why engaging in activities that excite and invigorate you, such as taking a walk or attending a new class, can often provide the energy to handle tasks you normally find draining.

I often find that after an hour at the gym, I’m full of energy, even enough to clean the house. On this new journey of mine, I’ve come to realize that true rest for your body is not just sleep; it’s the freedom to do what you enjoy, the joy that comes from engaging in activities that bring you happiness and fulfillment.

While sleep is essential for physical recovery, the kind of restoration our minds and bodies truly need comes from joy, freedom, and engaging in the things that nourish us. By understanding this, we can avoid burnout and embrace a healthier, more balanced approach to life, one that fosters long-term well-being and contentment.

My message for this week is quite simple - chase your sparkle.

Until next time. ♥️