Going from Burnout to Soul Full | FP 119

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On this therapist podcast, Whitney Owens talks about going from burnout to soul care.

How can you prevent burnout? Why is it important that you take care of yourself and your soul? What are some steps you can start taking today to make sure that you’re practicing soul care?

I want you to start off the year by really thinking about yourself. Today I am going to share my experience about being burnt out, some of my thoughts about it and I hope that this will inspire you to make some changes.

Podcast Sponsor: Brighter Vision

An image of Brighter Vision Web Solutions is featured as the sponsor on Faith in Practice Podcast, a therapist podcast. Brighter Vision builds all in one websites for therapists.

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In This Podcast

  • My burnout experience
  • Burnout being a soul condition
  • Soul care vs self-care
  • How to practice soul care and prevent burnout

My burnout experience

About a few months ago I had this moment where I just felt completely and utterly done. Now this is not uncommon for me, because I do tend to push myself pretty hard, I’m extremely motivated and people are always saying ‘Wow Whitney, you’re doing so much’. (Whitney Owens)

I really have no clue how much I am doing because I am always thinking about more things that I want to do – this is just the typical entrepreneur inside of me. So, it’s not uncommon for me to feel like I need to rest, but this feeling was beyond that. This was utter exhaustion and I had no idea how to make it better.

For a few days, I made sure that I went to bed early, I didn’t get up to exercise, so I managed to sleep in, but it was as if no matter how long I slept, it was never enough sleep. I would sleep 10-12 hrs and still feel tired.

I was burnt out and didn’t really know what burnout actually was until I felt burnt out. (Whitney Owens)

Burnout being a soul condition

No matter how much I slept or relaxed, this feeling would not leave.

I really think of it as a soul condition. What is going on in my soul? I’m completely maxed out; I’m not getting filled with the spirit and I am really running around doing a bunch of stuff. (Whitney Owens)

When I would do things, I didn’t enjoy them and I felt anxiety over things that would not usually be anxiety-provoking at all. I also started to not care about things.

And so this was a huge wake-up call for me to change some things, and honestly more than anything, it’s been a mindset of change about the way I’m doing life. I feel really grateful that I had this experience because when someone tells me they’re burnt out I have a totally new respect and understanding, and empathy because I did not get it before. (Whitney Owens)

Soul care vs self-care

As you go into this new year, I want you to be really mindful about caring for yourself and caring for your soul.

Self-care is good and sometimes self-care and soul care can go hand in hand, but I think of them as two separate things.

When I think of self-care, I think about things that are fun and enjoyable. But when we talk about soul care, we talk about tending to the deep places inside of us. Not the places that can be healed with a piece of chocolate.

It’s not like eating a piece of chocolate is going to care for that deep part of me, it’s the part of me that comes alive. It’s that conversation you have with a friend and you leave feeling more energized than when you got there. That’s like soul care. (Whitney Owens)

When you’re busy, it may be difficult to care for your soul. But this doesn’t mean that you can’t care for your soul when you’re busy. It’s more about a mindset shift in the way you are doing things. When you find yourself having rushed thoughts, remember that you don’t have to do it all right now, all at once.

How to practice soul care and prevent burnout

  • Tend to relationships that care for your soul. If anyone is draining your energy, start spending less time with them.
  • Be mindful of your relationship with God and his presence in your life.
  • Get rid of anything that is not bringing you joy.

Let this be a year that you really slow down your schedule and make space. Because when you make that space, you become more creative and you enjoy your life more. (Whitney Owens)

Useful links mentioned in this episode:

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Meet Whitney Owens

Photo of Christian therapist Whitney Owens. Whitney helps other christian counselors grow faith based private practices!Whitney is a licensed professional counselor and owns a growing group practice in Savannah, Georgia. Along with a wealth of experience managing a practice, she also has an extensive history working in a variety of clinical and religious settings, allowing her to specialize in consulting for faith-based practices and those wanting to connect with religious organizations.

Knowing the pains and difficulties surrounding building a private practice, she started this podcast to help clinicians start, grow, and scale a faith-based practice. She has learned how to start and grow a successful practice that adheres to her own faith and values. And as a private practice consultant, she has helped many clinicians do the same.

Visit her website and listen to her podcast here. Connect on Instagram or join the Faith in Practice Facebook group. Email her at [email protected]

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Faith in Practice is part of the Practice of the Practice Podcast Network, a network of podcasts that are changing the world. To hear other podcasts like Empowered and Unapologetic, Bomb Mom, Imperfect Thriving, Marketing a Practice or Beta Male Revolution, go to practiceofthepractice.com/network.