I have recently been reflecting on the last two years as a full time entrepreneur. What do I love about it? What do I miss (if anything) about having a corporate job? What have I learned over the past two years about myself and how I show up in this (financial services) space?
The truth is, I never intended to work for myself. And that clicked for me earlier this year when we talked to Julie Ragatz on this episode of WomenShare. This concept of "forced entrepreneurship" when women aren't able to thrive in certain corporate cultures, they leave and go create their own. I didn't leave my previous role because I didn't love the work I was doing, I left because I was burnt out. I couldn't keep fighting for resources and hearing excuse after excuse why the work I was doing wasn't "enough," despite the data, despite the clients' feedback. So, I set out to chart my own course.
What I found while exploring this new world was just how EXTREMELY burnt out I was. As women in a male-dominated industry like financial services, we face unique pressures and stressors. These can contribute significantly to burnout. The things that fired me up no longer did.
So, how do I know it was burnout?
Burnout defined is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion often caused by prolonged stress or overwhelming responsibilities. It's more than just feeling tired; it's a condition that can significantly impact your overall well-being.
- Emotional Exhaustion: Feeling emotionally drained, apathetic, or indifferent, especially about work that I was passionate about.
- Physical Exhaustion: Experiencing fatigue, insomnia, or frequent illness. How many times did I wake up the middle of the night worrying about work? Too many, that's how many.
- Mental Exhaustion: Difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, or a lack of motivation. I used to be the first person at my desk every morning. I couldn't wait to dive into my work and that was gone.
- Increased Cynicism: Developing a negative or critical attitude towards work or relationships. My former colleagues will agree, we'll just leave it at that.
- Feeling Ineffective: Believing that your efforts are futile or that you're not making a difference. I questioned everything I was doing, knowing that no matter what I presented, it would be rejected. It was almost a self-fulfilling prophecy near the end.
Recovering from Burnout
I feel like I am finally on the other side of it. I want to share a few things that helped me recognize and heal from the burnout I experienced.
- I worked with a coach. I had started working with Amy Young for other reasons back in 2019, but she helped me understand where I was overriding my own boundaries and other habits I had that I were contributing to my burnout. I also worked with Shannon Schottler as I mentioned in this episode as she helps people in transition. Working with both Amy and Shannon were game changers.
- I leaned in to my creativity. I love vintage and mid-century décor and what was a little side hustle became a place I could express myself AND make extra money. This gave me a break from needing to take on industry jobs just to pay the bills.
- I simplified my life. My self-care practices became my highest priority. That meant starting my day in nature and with a good workout. Every day. I made moves in my life that required less money, so that I could slow down and take the time I needed to recover from the burnout.
I came up with the idea of WomenShare as a creative outlet. I know whole-heartedly that women will change this industry and I just wanted to create a space that women could come share their experiences. Maybe we could help other women navigate this industry so they can avoid the burnout I had to take two years to recover from. I am so grateful for the healing it has and continues to provide. My story is not unique and it has helped me to connect to women who also have had to overcome burnout.
The last thing I will mention is that I recognize the privilege I have to recover from burnout. Many women don't have that luxury and have to find the space to recover while still in the job that got them there. That is why I think having these conversations are so important. Let's stop it before we have to recover from it. Let's create a culture at work that promotes creativity and not just productivity.
Remember: Burnout is a serious issue that should not be ignored. If you're experiencing these symptoms, it's important to take steps to address the underlying causes and prioritize self-care. If you ever need resources to help, please don't hesitate to reach out to someone you trust (or us!)
