BURNOUT

BY ANNA ERVIN

Iused to think that burnout was the result of being in a profession I didn’t love or a situation that wasn’t quite right for me. But as I’ve continuously pushed myself into careers and job opportunities that I do enjoy, I have found myself burdened by the same patterns of exhaustion. Tasks that I once viewed as priveleges become overwhelming and stressful, creative blockages keep me up reworking my projects late into the night, and my social battery starts to do that thing iPhone batteries do when they stop holding a charge altogether. The truth is, no matter how much I love the work I do, I can still manage to drive myself to the point of physical, emotional, and creative exhaustion. This is not the goal, of course. So why do I keep ending up here? I don’t think I’m alone in feeling any of this. Throughout the cannabis industry in particular, I hear stories from people confronted by the same uphill climb. As one might expect, these stories become exceedingly more prevalent in the weeks after April 20th, a day that each year following the passing of 788, has launched the industry into a threemonth-long season packed full of events and festivals. Of course we all love what we do, but doing it every single weekend, after a full work week can quickly become exhausting. Burnout doesn’t have to mean that whatever you’ve invested your time and energy into is bad for you. Much of my profession relies on my own organization, time management, and creative initiative. It is up to me to ensure that the environment I work in is healthy, happy, and equipped with tools to help me succeed. When those elements are not in alignment with my career path, I know it’s time to create some boundaries. Boundaries are often something I struggle with. I have no problems respecting most everyone else’s rules, but establishing and reinforcing my own feels a bit intimidating at times. For example, when I get overwhelmed, my home environment begins to reflect my state of mind. Dishes and laundry pile up, clutter begins to take over my apartment, and thinking about dealing with any of that sends me spiraling with anxiety. It’s not that I don’t have time to deal with it, but that I don’t make time. Adopting healthier boundaries here could look like saying no to projects that are too big for my busy schedule, sitting out an event or two, or delegating a bit of my work load to someone who has offered a hand (asking for and receiving help is a topic for another time). These shifts could allow me to set myself up for future success without compromising the integrity of my work. Of course, I fully recognize that some of these tasks are easier said than done. But wouldn’t it also be easier if I didn’t have to push myself to the point of exhaustion each day? The work you put into the world is only going to be the best when you are at your best. Take care of yourselves sweet friends.