Have you ever taken a day off to ....gasp....do nothing?

Or go float in a pool? (blasphemy)

Run errands? (DMV ain't gonna renew itself)

Go get your janky nails finally done?

Take your kid to the zoo?

NOT WORK?

There are 5 stages of FREAK OUT when you go off-script and do something you want instead of your regularly scheduled programming:

1. FREEZE 🥶 with paralysis deciding WHAT ELSE to do (that you actually want to do)

2. ALL INTERNAL ALARMS shrieking like a banshee 🚨

3. MASSIVE GUILT (you should be doing EVERYTHING ELSE right now)

4. DO IT ANYWAY

5. INTENSE RELIEF sets in + Energy tank fills back up ☀️ 🌈

Ahhh, that's better. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.

It gets easier, I promise.

I've deemed Tuesdays as my creative day. I block off the morning for a few solid hours of ZERO appointments so I can write, podcast, create, scroll social media mindlessly (hey, it's part of my process), etc.

I knew I needed a refresh this past Tuesday and went into the woods for a long difficult hike (why do I always pick the hard stuff to unwind? 🤷‍♀️ ). And taking a page from my Rule of 3's, I knew my body needed time to safely freak out and finally settle.

The truth is, burnout doesn't just magically go away - even when you step out of the routine like I did when I quit my corporate career.

It requires continuous active practice. And these 5 stages can be SUPER triggering and often, send you back to the familiar routine which got you all wound up in the first place.

Stay there - even when the alarm bells go off. Trust that the freakout is necessary. You are creating new neuropathways from some VERY deeply embedded programming.

Give yourself permission to prioritizing adding in what fuels you. Because it's the key to open the door to everything you want.

And if you are still talking yourself out of doing something exciting and different, please take this as a sign to GO FOR IT. 🚀

xo,

Allison

PS. Work relationships don't have to be fraught with mismatched power dynamics, obligatory mind-numbing meetings, and general weirdness. Check out these much more modern approaches.

PPS. I am DEEPLY obsessed with the DCC now and making it my whole personality until further notice. This deep dive podcast on it's history is utterly captivating and fascinating.

PPPS. Thinking about a big change but getting overwhelmed with where or how to start? Sometimes a little clarity goes a long way. For a limited time, I'm offering a free brainstorming call with me and let's get you on the path you deserve!