In stressful and demanding times one is often likely to experience burnout. This sees you overtaxed, exhuasted, overwhelmed, and quite literally empty. In times such as these I want to encourage you to take a step back from your situation. Back up and give yourself an opportunity to regroup, reevaluate, and maybe find a new perspective on the situation.

How we all deal with burnout is unique. For me, I lean into something creative. In this current period of burnout I have taken to expressing some of my thoughts and feelings through painting. Up til now I have painted 4 pieces each with their own individual meaning yet they all serve the same purpose. They are meant to bring me to a place of peace and ultimately restitution.

Pressure

This first piece is titled PRESSURE, here you have the subject holding up a mound of bags. He is doing his best to keep the bags from going over the edge. The weight of it all is causing him to crack yet he still secures the baggage. The three bags at his feet belong to him and are not being addressed as he is preoccupied with the baggage of everyone else.

This was the first piece I painted as it was the root issue behind my burnout in the first place. You see, at any given time I’m having to deal with so much baggage that is not mine that I don’t always have it in me to address my own problems. I’m doing better with setting boundaries but as we all know, life will find a way.

Favor

This next piece is titled FAVOR, here the subject is the sunflower growing from the dirt. It is raining fire all around the flower yet the hand from above shields the flower from being disturbed.

This piece is visual representation of my faith in God. You see as a believer I recognize that life is filled with many challenges and situations. However, as we go through these challenges we are never truly alone as the Hand of God is covering us from dangers seen and unseen.

Faces

This piece is titled FACES, it represents the many faces we all put on at any given time. The subject is standing in front of a mirror currently putting on its happy face.

This piece represents the fact that sometimes in life when we are going through hard times we put on our “good face” to help give off the illusion that we are composed and or in a good place. The ironic thing is that I find that the happy face is the face we often wear to hide our true emotions. Whereas some of the other faces are a direct expression.

Choice

This final piece is titled CHOICE, it is in the form of a WILD Card from the ever popular card game of UNO. The WILD card allows you the player to choose what color is to be played next. Here the symbol for choice is a coin.

The message behind this simple piece is that sometimes you have to play the hand you’re dealt and that the choice is yours. Meaning, that when faced with a situation and you are given limited options on how to deal with it you have to choose which way to go. Theres also the more abstract observation wherein you leave it up to chance and let the chips fall where they may.

In Closing

As I navigate this period of burnout I lean into my art and using it as a means to express my thoughts in a way that brings me peace. Not only peace, but clarity, and gives me new found motivation to get back on the horse and ride towards my goals with a renewed sense of determination. I want to encourage you to find that “THING” that not only cools you off in the midst of the fire but also reignites the flame to a point where it can burn brighter than ever. Remember to prioritize SELF-CARE and know that in time all things work together for your good. You Got This!!!