Take Up Space

This is very much still a work in progress for me. And yet, this might be the single most important thing we can do to avoid burnout.

Recently, I stumbled across a photograph of myself as a small child. I was in my Birdwood Primary School uniform, smiling, adorable, in my first school photo. It must have been around the time of my fifth birthday.

Looking at the photo of that smiling little girl made me sad. It reminded me how much, even at that young age, I have always tried to please people, and how my sense of worth and value has hinged on pleasing others since before I can remember.

I did what I thought others expected of me so that I would garner their approval. I strove to win their acceptance and love, so that I would feel worthy. Worthy of existing. Worthy of taking up space.

How sad for that dear, cute little girl. Me.

This striving for approval was exhausting. It was also all I knew.

That was until I burned out.

After burnout, I gave zero fucks. I was my own person and felt confident in who I was.

Unapologetic. Straight-talking. Authentic.