Having worked as a clinician in private practice and gained extensive clinical experience, I have always been actively engaged in my work. Initially, juggling multiple responsibilities and being a busy-bee was manageable and not overwhelming. However, there came a point when the balance shifted towards burnout, which happened rapidly. According to researchers, burnout progresses through 5 stages. Initially, I experienced the honeymoon phase (Stage 1), where I was enthusiastic about my job and eager to start. As time passed, I moved to Stage 2, where I recognized the challenging days and noticed my other priorities slipping away. Stage 3 involved the emergence of mental and physical exhaustion, neglecting self-care, and negative thought patterns that signaled the unsustainability of the situation. By Stage 4, I felt trapped and isolated, believing all my efforts had been in vain. Finally, Stage 5 marked a crisis where I realized the urgent need to take action before things spiraled out of control.
When I reached stage 3, I started experiencing signs of burnout. At that point, I reinitiated my therapy sessions promptly. Despite my attempts to persevere, hoping to alleviate the situation, it had the opposite effect. Progressing swiftly through stages 4 and 5, I was on the brink of a crisis. To preserve my mental well-being, I identified individuals I could turn to for support. Initially, I hesitated to contact my supervisor, fearing their reaction and doubting my ability to assist others.
My ability to set effective boundaries, ask for support, and find my passion has helped me overcome this burnout. I have found my passion and focus in life for the next journey. I feel relief in being close to my supervisor, who has helped me when I am stressed. I am also grateful for the burnout that I rapidly experienced because it led me to a more secure passion of mine that I will continue to explore.
Burnout is prevalent across various industries, particularly in professions focused on assisting others. I hope readers can draw lessons from this experience and understand that even highly knowledgeable and driven clinicians can be susceptible to burnout and require assistance. I have come to realize my boundaries and have established priorities for myself. I acknowledge my tendency to seek approval and agree with everything contributing to my burnout. My upcoming goal is to discover my voice and interests and to take control of my own life.
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