This is wild. Not more than a day ago the words "How did I find the energy to do all of it?" preceded a list of the eight million things I used to crush through in a day. Now - more often than not - I can barely get through the basics. As a fellow recovering workaholic, I hope you're off galloping through lush pastures, or just laying in them and watching the clouds.
Thank you for sharing this, Marloes. I’ve been experiencing similar feelings and it’s making me think that I, took, should unplug. The analogy with the agricultural generator is perfect. A human body can only take so much. 🫨
Wishing you the best for your rest! And I love your work!
Thank you for writing this newsletter! I was stumbling upon you once because I read "burnout"! Didn't know by myself, that the right term in English is "nervous breakdown" too 😊
And I wondered also about the fact I got no response on my "burn out". Hehe...so I got my lesson here :)
Turning off computer/ IG/ smartphone and really be in the daily structure and moments is a big next step for me too.
To be more present in the moment I might enjoy fully to nurture myself.
I know exactly were my nervous breakdown comes from and how I can access again to receive energy and next time choose more accurately where to give my energy.
I need to be really focused on myself without feeling selfish. That is a big deal for me.
Thank you for your sharing and you got all my wishes for your recovery summer. And hopefully it'll be joyful to rest.
Reading books is my joy. Outside reading novels 🌿✌🐳
Hi Marloes, thanks for sharing your experience with openness it helps a lot to normalise, and also I feel myself accompanied and understood. I also was burnout, well I think I might be still recovering from it after many years of not knowing what was going on. So hoping your unplug will help you, I sometimes do also unplugs from social media and it helps me a lot to be present again and more connected to myself, but I will consider to unplug completely as well during my holidays (that will be nature, beach, sun.. 🙂)
Take care of yourself and great that you are always so open about this! I got overworked years back and work pressure still remains a trigger for me. I keep finding it hard to deal with it properly, but it's getting better. Have a nice summer!
I love your line about walking instead of running and still getting where you need to be. I’m doing the same right now. It feels like such a more sustainable, spacious pace. Sending love, my friend.
Your words make me want to cry (but that's okay!) because I feel you and I'm so sorry you've been through that. I've been depressed for a year and a half (and how it's annoying when people are using words lightly, I truly wish I wasn't using this word myself!) and it's so hard sometimes to accept that we have to take it slow, that this new rhythm is ours and that we also have to get on with it with as much compassion for ourselves as possible.
I sincerely hope this offline time will make you feel better, it's so important to breathe outside of your daily life sometimes, have a good rest as well as a lovely summer! 💛
(but most importantly, how did I miss the fact you had a newsletter here too?!)
I'm so sorry that you're depressed Florence. Unfortunately I know what that feels like and it's so tough. I hope you can knock the depression down. Sending you much love regarding this! I hope you get to enjoy the Summer as much as you can though. I hope the little joys help you.
(I don't know hahaha! I don't talk about it enough I guess?)
Have a good offline time, its hard on the first days but after our brain accept that we don't need internet to survive it gets better and better everyday...we notice more the little things and days get longer <3 I do an offline weekend every month and sometimes I go on holidays offline too, its another level of experience it!
Hi Marloes! Hope you are well and that you get even better with the unplugging time.
You are totally right about the misuses of some serious words like depression, burnout, bipolar, etc. I’ve noticed as well how those terms were trivialised (banalised? I’m not a native English speaker either 😅) in the past years so much, that the ones that really suffer of them don’t get noticed or people think “everything is fine”. In my opinion, in a world where everyone wants to look happy and successful the entire time - aka social media - we don’t create enough space to really look in depth to ourselves and the others’ feelings. One day at a time, one step at a time ❤️
Your comment made me think: I also feel that online too much people pretend everything is fine when it really isn't. But they also throw with terms (like depression and trauma) in the same space. Maybe people feel they need to 'scream' in order to be heard? I'm just thinking out loud. I've noticed that some people come across as extreme and hard online, while in real life they aren't. It feels to me that social media/online is used as an amplifier of everything, while real life is way more nuanced.
Bold move, unplugging completely! And inspiring, I’m not sure if I’m ready for something like that but shorter periods (like the weekends) will surely help a lot. Happy unplugging and have a lovely Summer 😊
It requires strength to switch off completely, especially as an artist who is often very sensitive and 'spongy' with the outside and feels bad to 'let down' others. You're totally right to make space and calm to listen to yourself only. It's the only way to feel complete and happy again ! You miss nothing and you'll learn everything you need. I've felt that - and still feel that - , so I totally understand you and support you. We need our light to shine again !
Such lovely words, thanks Claire. I hope I'm not too addicted to the screen, so it won't be too hard :) I've done a social media break of 6 weeks last year and it was really nice! And yes to recharging. So important.
I get that horrid nausea-dizzy feeling when I overwork too, I even wake up with it during very busy times. And it’s worse if I am on a screen a lot. It’s so important to take time off isn’t it? I am on a long summer break, no more work (except writing on Substack) until mid August. I already feel better!
Ugh, yeah the screen is another thing! I have swirly black things in my eyes since two years and I think it's because of intense screen staring. I'm sure I'll get back at my computer after a few weeks, screaming "bright light, bright light!" :D I'm so happy you're feeling better! You deserve rest. And I can't wait to see you again soon x
Hi Marloes,
As for burn-out I experienced the same, very frustrating until you know.
I also noticed in Dutch it's used as a superlative to being 'overspannen'!
So burn-out is worse than being overspannen 🙃
Enjoy your time off! ♡
This is wild. Not more than a day ago the words "How did I find the energy to do all of it?" preceded a list of the eight million things I used to crush through in a day. Now - more often than not - I can barely get through the basics. As a fellow recovering workaholic, I hope you're off galloping through lush pastures, or just laying in them and watching the clouds.
Thank you for sharing this, Marloes. I’ve been experiencing similar feelings and it’s making me think that I, took, should unplug. The analogy with the agricultural generator is perfect. A human body can only take so much. 🫨
Wishing you the best for your rest! And I love your work!
Thank you for writing this newsletter! I was stumbling upon you once because I read "burnout"! Didn't know by myself, that the right term in English is "nervous breakdown" too 😊
And I wondered also about the fact I got no response on my "burn out". Hehe...so I got my lesson here :)
Turning off computer/ IG/ smartphone and really be in the daily structure and moments is a big next step for me too.
To be more present in the moment I might enjoy fully to nurture myself.
I know exactly were my nervous breakdown comes from and how I can access again to receive energy and next time choose more accurately where to give my energy.
I need to be really focused on myself without feeling selfish. That is a big deal for me.
Thank you for your sharing and you got all my wishes for your recovery summer. And hopefully it'll be joyful to rest.
Reading books is my joy. Outside reading novels 🌿✌🐳
Hi Marloes, thanks for sharing your experience with openness it helps a lot to normalise, and also I feel myself accompanied and understood. I also was burnout, well I think I might be still recovering from it after many years of not knowing what was going on. So hoping your unplug will help you, I sometimes do also unplugs from social media and it helps me a lot to be present again and more connected to myself, but I will consider to unplug completely as well during my holidays (that will be nature, beach, sun.. 🙂)
Big hugs! And see you (read you 😉) soon!
I hope you get to have a nice and relaxing holiday, Gemma!
Take care of yourself and great that you are always so open about this! I got overworked years back and work pressure still remains a trigger for me. I keep finding it hard to deal with it properly, but it's getting better. Have a nice summer!
I can imagine Marleen! It's tricky to keep the balance right.
I love your line about walking instead of running and still getting where you need to be. I’m doing the same right now. It feels like such a more sustainable, spacious pace. Sending love, my friend.
Thanks Penelope! Yes, it does feel way more sustainable and spacious. That's how it feels.
Your words make me want to cry (but that's okay!) because I feel you and I'm so sorry you've been through that. I've been depressed for a year and a half (and how it's annoying when people are using words lightly, I truly wish I wasn't using this word myself!) and it's so hard sometimes to accept that we have to take it slow, that this new rhythm is ours and that we also have to get on with it with as much compassion for ourselves as possible.
I sincerely hope this offline time will make you feel better, it's so important to breathe outside of your daily life sometimes, have a good rest as well as a lovely summer! 💛
(but most importantly, how did I miss the fact you had a newsletter here too?!)
I'm so sorry that you're depressed Florence. Unfortunately I know what that feels like and it's so tough. I hope you can knock the depression down. Sending you much love regarding this! I hope you get to enjoy the Summer as much as you can though. I hope the little joys help you.
(I don't know hahaha! I don't talk about it enough I guess?)
Have a good offline time, its hard on the first days but after our brain accept that we don't need internet to survive it gets better and better everyday...we notice more the little things and days get longer <3 I do an offline weekend every month and sometimes I go on holidays offline too, its another level of experience it!
YES! Can't wait to soak in the little thing of life. And so good you're doing an offline weekend every months. I sometimes do that too, it's bliss.
Hi Marloes! Hope you are well and that you get even better with the unplugging time.
You are totally right about the misuses of some serious words like depression, burnout, bipolar, etc. I’ve noticed as well how those terms were trivialised (banalised? I’m not a native English speaker either 😅) in the past years so much, that the ones that really suffer of them don’t get noticed or people think “everything is fine”. In my opinion, in a world where everyone wants to look happy and successful the entire time - aka social media - we don’t create enough space to really look in depth to ourselves and the others’ feelings. One day at a time, one step at a time ❤️
Your comment made me think: I also feel that online too much people pretend everything is fine when it really isn't. But they also throw with terms (like depression and trauma) in the same space. Maybe people feel they need to 'scream' in order to be heard? I'm just thinking out loud. I've noticed that some people come across as extreme and hard online, while in real life they aren't. It feels to me that social media/online is used as an amplifier of everything, while real life is way more nuanced.
Bold move, unplugging completely! And inspiring, I’m not sure if I’m ready for something like that but shorter periods (like the weekends) will surely help a lot. Happy unplugging and have a lovely Summer 😊
I think it will be really nice to unplug, to recharge and not get 'prikkels' from outside. Sensitive people need that, I think :)
It requires strength to switch off completely, especially as an artist who is often very sensitive and 'spongy' with the outside and feels bad to 'let down' others. You're totally right to make space and calm to listen to yourself only. It's the only way to feel complete and happy again ! You miss nothing and you'll learn everything you need. I've felt that - and still feel that - , so I totally understand you and support you. We need our light to shine again !
Such lovely words, thanks Claire. I hope I'm not too addicted to the screen, so it won't be too hard :) I've done a social media break of 6 weeks last year and it was really nice! And yes to recharging. So important.
Have a good rest! It’s great you’re doing it. We’d love to read your thoughts after you’re back 😘
Hope to report back with insights :D
Sending best wishes for a healing, screen-free summer! 💐😸 I’d love to spend less time on mine too. And more time on a yoga mat with a cat.
Oh, yes please do that, if that makes you happy!
A total switch-off sounds like a very good plan - hope you get to soak up some lovely scenery somewhere in complete peace!
So looking forward to that! Thanks Jane <3
I get that horrid nausea-dizzy feeling when I overwork too, I even wake up with it during very busy times. And it’s worse if I am on a screen a lot. It’s so important to take time off isn’t it? I am on a long summer break, no more work (except writing on Substack) until mid August. I already feel better!
Ugh, yeah the screen is another thing! I have swirly black things in my eyes since two years and I think it's because of intense screen staring. I'm sure I'll get back at my computer after a few weeks, screaming "bright light, bright light!" :D I'm so happy you're feeling better! You deserve rest. And I can't wait to see you again soon x
Yes, see ya soon! Can’t wait!