Day 5: Getting Over Burnout in a Week (and Still Getting Work Done)

Note: This is Day 5 of my Getting Over Burnout in a Week (and still getting work done) program you can find here. It includes 7 days worth of energizing activities and skill building to prevent burnout in the future, and Day 5 is about getting over performance fear.

Today you just have to be. You do not have to pretend.

The pressure of being and presenting a certain image is overwhelming, to say the least.

There is no real entity or governmental organization telling you that you must conform to the aesthetic that you have chosen. What would we be without a box to put ourselves into?

This day is the hardest for people that have a strong affinity to their phone and social media apps, but it’s transformative. A social media detox for 12 to 24 hours (if you are brave enough).

The best tip I can give for this is to keep your phone hidden. Put on DND mode (alter the settings to allow the calls of your loved ones to come through etc.) and put your phone under your pillow, your blanket or in a bag somewhere. In the room, but hidden. Continue to focus on your task.

Science behind it: Constant social comparison triggers stress and shame (Festinger’s Social Comparison Theory).

Tasks:

• Social media detox for 12-24 hours.

• Journal: “Who am I trying to impress? Why? What do I fear will happen if I stop?”

• Replace 30 minutes of scrolling with intentional silence or reading.

Evening reflection: Did you feel more yourself without comparison noise?

And remember, never let yourself get to the point of complete and total breakdown!

Love,

Vanta <3