If You’re Lost in Life You’re Probably Burned Out – Here’s Why

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You’re probably tired of being told you’re burned out. 

Believe it or not since the 1970s we’ve all been burned out. 

Despite the recent rise in flexible and remote working opportunities, the consensus is still the same. So 6 months ago when I sat in front of my laptop again, working at a job that drained me of energy and creativity I wondered why I felt so lost in life. The same job that helped me form crucial skills within the marketing industry was no longer aligning with the bigger purpose of my life. After 6 months went by I finally decided to do something about it and stepped into my entrepreneurial journey as a Purpose Coach, writer, and founder of Take a Moment Away.

So why did it take me 6 months to finally take a leap of faith into what God had called me for? 

Two words. Burn Out. 

4 Ways Burnout Is Causing You To Feel Lost in Life

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Your Vision Becomes Blurred 

You know that moment when you first get up in the morning. Your bed feels so warm and cosy that any attempt to get out of it seems impossible. So, you make a  compromise with yourself. After a few moments you decide to steadily open your eyes to wake yourself up, but everything looks blurry. You rub your eyes to see your room more clearly but things still look a blur. 

This is exactly how burnout affects your vision over your life. 

When you’re too tired to think about what you’d like for dinner, how are you able to create space for a life audit session?  If your job is filled with seemingly never-ending stressful days, how can you take a moment to think about what you’d really want to do with your life? 

Let’s face it, we’d rather not do the extra work of unpacking what our purpose is in life. We coast through our lives hoping that one day, the answer will suddenly appear in front of us – a true Eat, Pray, Love moment.

The truth is, it usually takes a lot more intentionality to discover your purpose. You have to be willing to carve out time for deep self-reflection, moments of honesty with trusted friends or a purpose coach, a willingness to be brave and the humility to ask God how you can best use the gifts and talents you have. 

All things that seem impossible to even think about when you’re burned out. 

Distractions Are Welcomed

This is usually the first sign I notice to tell me I’m burned out. 

It doesn’t matter what it is I’m doing or when, I’ll become very easily distracted. Procrastination is a common sign of burnout because your mind is constantly searching for an escape. With the compilation of stressors that now add to our daily lives from work-related stress, financial worries and relationship concerns our minds are always searching for ways to self-soothe and distract us from dealing with roadblocks head on. 

If you continually allow yourself to be distracted, everything will feel difficult to face. Simple tasks like replying to emails, reaching out to a friend or filling up your water bottle for the day, start to feel like a chore. The irony is, the more you stray away from doing these types of tasks the more severe the burnout becomes, creating a depressing cycle. 

Everything Matters At Once 

This one really hits home. As a multi-faceted creative entrepreneur, everything always seems to matter. My brain would switch from one project idea to the next in the hopes that this new project will bring me closer to my purpose. 

However, all that ended up happening was immense feelings of overwhelm. I would pile up the to-do list, set unrealistic goals and expectations then become disheartened when not even a quarter of the tasks I’d set get completed. 

Healthy Becomes Boring

Who doesn’t love convenience? The thought of cooking a delicious yet time-consuming home cooked meal, when my mind is clouded with racing thoughts can be paralysing. 

Studies have shown that adults who feel overworked or burned out, often adopt an array of unhealthy behaviours that can lead to weight gain. I’ve found that this habit tends to rise when we are in the winter months of the year. The effort it requires to choose healthier foods over junk foods is usually too much to bear simply due to burn out. 

3 Starting Points To Regain Clarity In Your Life

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Plug Into A Community 

Community is so important these days. Being a part of something outside of yourself can help refocus your mind towards the things you love and not at the stressors life can bring. 

Through participating in community focused activities such as a book club, going to church, or hosting a game night it reminds you of the things that you really value and are important to you. It will also give you a clearer idea on how you enjoy spending your time and the possibility of meeting someone new!

Write Your Success Story 

This may sound daunting at first but it is very effective. The great thing about writing your success story, is being able to include all the hardships/stressors you are currently going through and how you overcame them. 

Taking 5, 10 or 30 minutes during the week to grab a journal and write your own story can work wonders. Not only are you accepting where you are in life now, you are using the things that seem negative and turning them into pathways towards life you truly desire. 

Focus on The Day 

The feeling of being lost in life usually comes from thoughts around the future. As a society we are geared towards positive forward-thinking solutions within work, school and life. However, this doesn’t help when feelings of burnout override these positive notions. In order to regain clarity in your life, simply ask yourself daily;

“What would make this day a fulfilling one?” 

By ensuring that you focus on one thing to make every day a fulfilled one, reduces those overwhelming feelings of uncertainty. 

Stay intentional and compassionate 

Let’s remember life is a gift. We are here to embrace all the seasons that we go through but can decide to be intentional about where we’re heading. It’s normal to lose our way sometimes, so show yourself a little compassion that you are doing the best you can. Life can be a rollercoaster but I’m certain that you’ll soon find your way.