This week, our Director of Well-being, Tracy Secombe, shares her story of burnout with you. How she identified her symptoms and what she did to manage it. 

When I look back, I can see now that I was probably in burnout for close to 10 years without knowing it. 

I was the frog in the pot with the water boiling so gradually that I didn’t notice, but luckily, I didn’t experience the fate of the boiled frog. 

Like most people, I began by treating the symptoms of burnout. As a physiotherapist, my go-to treatment for my ever-increasing headaches was stretching, strengthening, massage, and occasional painkillers. However not being aware that I was in burnout meant that I never even considered trying to discover what might be the underlying cause of my burnout symptoms. 

I know now. 

I was so busy being pulled in so many different directions trying to keep everybody around me happy that I completely forgot about myself. I was so aware of other people’s needs and determined to help meet them that I didn’t know what my needs were. 

I got so good at presenting myself as happy and positive to the outside world that I had completely lost any connection to my real emotions. 

At a young age, I received praise for my achievements and for making other people feel good and I became addicted to it. I realised now that pushing myself so hard to achieve the next thing was driven by my trying to prove myself to other people. 

To prove my worth. 

I only thought I was good enough if I was always achieving more and more and helping others to get what they want. 

I still love helping other people get what they want. 

But now, I am aware of my own emotions, and I am aware of what drives me to do what I do.  

Back then, I worked from the minute I opened my eyes in the morning to the minute I closed them at night, and in fact, sometimes I’d wake up the following day and feel like I’d worked all night (it was like I dreamed about work) because I was subconsciously looking for approval from others. 

I didn’t have time for hobbies – in fact, I thought they were a waste of time. I thought it was impossible to be successful and have time for hobbies. 

Now I know differently. Now I know that feeling calm, happy, and inspired allows me to create the success that I want for myself and the people I love.  

Now I know that making time for me to feel good is the most important thing for me to do first before I take inspired action towards my goals. 

 Regards, 

Robbo, Tracy & The Farm Owners Academy Team