Burnout is defined as a state of emotional, mental, and often physical exhaustion brought on by prolonged or repeated stress. Though it’s most often caused by problems at work, it can also appear in other areas of life, such as parenting, caretaking, or romantic relationships.[1] Burn out differs from physical fatigue because it is brought on by repeated emotional or mental stress, not physical exertion.
Even in the best of divorce circumstances, ending a marriage can take a serious toll. When you are trying to manage all the various aspects of divorce – finances, housing, custody, and paperwork – it can feel like more than a full-time job. Then, on top of that, you still have a life to lead. You still have your career, family, friends, hobbies, and responsibilities. This can lead to an overwhelming amount of stress, which can turn into burnout.
It’s important to protect your energy during this time; a divorce coach will help you to simplify your life during this time, balance the many balls in the air, and provide an outlet for stress.
Divorce Coaches Help You Accept That Burnout is Normal
During a divorce, you are likely going to face negative emotions. Some people try to avoid feeling those things, stuff them away, or feel guilty that they are not doing as well emotionally. This is counter-productive; it’s completely normal to feel many negative emotions during a divorce. Accepting that reality is not easy; a divorce coach can help validate those feelings, process them with you, and give you license to be exhausted. Divorcees are normal people feeling normal reactions to very abnormal and stressful situations.
It’s important to not be judgmental of yourself. Because you have so much on your mind and your brain isn’t getting the time it needs to rest, burnout can (and likely will) occur. You are going through a type of trauma, and your brain will not always have the ability to remember the “little things” that you would normally remember without any issue. As soon as you can acknowledge this, it can help you start to feel better and move on to the next step in the process.
Divorce Coaches Can Help You Define Your Needs During Burnout
When your brain can only withstand so much, it’s essential to prioritize your needs and priorities in order to off-load some of the mental and emotional workload. From physiological needs to self-care and life priorities, divorce coaches will help you identify what is most important to you at each step of the divorce journey. Those priorities may shift as situations change and you are able to process your feelings and regain energy.
Protecting your space and energy are also important. We all have a finite amount of energy each day. During a divorce, much of that energy is absorbed just in emotional distress and divorce-related activities. During this time, you can and should not “spend” energy on people who are negative toward you, who judge you, or who are not helping you take care of yourself and your needs.
Divorce Coaches Can Help You Plan and Overcome Burnout
Finally, divorce coaches can help you move from the reactionary phase of burnout to the actionary phase. When experiencing burnout, it can feel like waves are just walloping you over and over again without time to breathe between them. This is normal but cannot be sustained forever. By accepting these emotions and experiences as normal, and identifying your priorities and needs, you will then be prepared to stand up and let those waves merely roll up around your ankles.
A divorce coach will help you create a digestible and sensible plan to protect your energy, accomplish what needs to be done, and slowly make room for recuperation. This will give you the time and space you need to regain emotional strength and physical energy, overcoming burnout and seeing the light at the end of a very stressful tunnel.
Taking the First Steps with a Divorce Coach
Sharp Divorce Coaching is here to help you face divorce with confidence and have the happiest life possible when the dust settles. Founder Lindsey Sharp has years of experience as a family attorney and has seen the many ways divorce can be different and can affect individuals and families for years to come.
Her goal is to give clients the tools and support they need to get through a divorce with as little damage as possible and to thrive moving forward. There is life after divorce, and you deserve to enjoy it.
Reach out today to get started with your free consultation.
References
[1] Burnout | Psychology Today, accessed at https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/burnout
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