When You Feel Like You're Burning Out: Self-Care
I think I speak for a lot of us when I say we put in a lot of time and effort here on 7 Cups. As a group, we are highly empathic, compassionate and we genuinely want to help. I see so many of you putting in countless hours here to make sure our community is as supportive and positive as it can be. That is so appreciated and maybe we don't say it enough, but THANK YOU. Volunteers like you are what continue to make 7 Cups a thriving, supportive and amazing place to be. Many of us are living with mental health issues or struggling with personal challenges, and to come online and see such a friendly and understanding group of people can be a bright spot on a dark day.
That being said, we do not take for granted that you are volunteers and here because you want to be (and hopefully because you enjoy being here). Many of us have other jobs, families, volunteer work, school and responsibilities that we need to attend to offline. We encourage you to focus on those other areas of your life when you need to and also recognize that all of us need personal time to self-care. We never want you to feel like you cannot take a break and step back if you feel like you are burning out, working too hard, or need to take time to focus on yourself or other responsibilities. We want you to WANT to be here and for it to be enjoyable and helpful for you to be part of our community.
If you feel like you're reaching that place of burn out, step back and take a break. Your badges, roles and friends will all be here for you when you get back. Communicate with your team leaders about what you need. Let them know when you need a break and when you expect to come back. Post in this thread [L] or this thread to let us know you need self-care (we worry about you if you just disappear).
This goes for leaders too. Just because you are a leader on this site, does not mean that you are not deserving of self-care too. We will find you back-up and support for your roles. Taking self-care or time for yourself will never be held against you. If you are concerned about not meeting requirements, losing badges or privileges, let us know. We don't want stress about losing badges or roles to deter you from taking time for yourself when you need it.
So go take a trip, read a book, paint your nails, hang out with family or friends. We will be here for you when you get back. 
[L] indicates listeners only thread
[MonBon edited post to indicate listeners only thread and provide public counterpart]
@Laura
@Kate Well put, Kate! Glad you reminded everyone that we're all only human. We all need breaks to recover, even the listeners on this site. <3
Make yourself care a priority, my friends.
Thank you for this post Kate! Much needed!
@Kate This is a very thoughtful message. Thank you!!
@Kate this is so so so right! I feel like sometimes we as leaders tend to encourage others to take self-care when needed but we forget that these things apply to us as well. No matter what position do you have here, you are still a person that needs time for yourself, you are still a person that has breakdowns, that has bad weeks or days, a person that might feel like everything is too much at times. I feel like as leaders, it's important for us to recognize it before it's too late and I count it as one of the most important leadership skills - being aware of yourself and your feelings, even if they are negative.
When I think about this topic, I always think about the moment when I took my first self-care break from 7Cups. It wasn't easy and I didn't recognize that I need it on my own - @Anomalia did in fact. I remember myself crying out to sleep, being too overwhelmed to even read what is being written in check-ins and in forums, feeling frustrated from all the tags that I get but still feeling like I must to do things otherwise I will be a bad leader. I remember myself not getting enough time to sleep because I needed to study for exams as well as give time for 7Cups but not thinking that it's the valid reason to take the self-care break. But, the truth is that any reason that makes you feel negative is important. We value our volunteers and their wellbeing much more than we value activity in the site. One smart person once told me that as leaders it's important to make our priorities and focus on it. And self-care should also be included in that list, if you feel like you need self-care or some time away from cups or from any part of your life, you are allowed to request for the break and to take a break. When I did it, it felt really really great and it helped me to not only fix my mental health but also helped me to stay active in 7cups. If you are forcing yourself to be here even if it's overwhelming - it most likely will lead you to hate the site and leave it forever, which of course is much harder than taking a break for a week, month or so
@Kate Very well said! We cannot really deny that volunteering here on 7cups is really addictive. It gives us that sense of accomplishment and feeling of fulfillment as we help people across the world. But this shouldn't hinder us to focus and prioritize our own personal life. We must know when and how to set proper and firm boundaries and should never feel sorry for taking some time for self care. After all, being here on 7cups is just another chapter in the story of our lives. Coming here shouldn't make us feel as if it's an obligation but instead it should be out of willingness and eagerness to be part of our lovely community :3 Spending too much time on here could be toxic especially if it's leading us to ignoring and disregarding real life responsibilities and goals.
To be fair, 7cups has taught me to value self care and I'll be forever proud of myself for putting it as my top priority. I'm also attaching this post about 7cups addiction!
@Erato thank you so much for your post and the link! I really value your comment and tell it like it is approach 😊🙌🏻💕
'you cant pour from an empty cup'
its so important to look after outselves, or how will we look after others?
Haven't been looking after myself recently this week so any ideas on what to do? I can't seem to relax or take time out for me when I'm just constantly working or thinking about work or other stuff. What do you do when your in that situation? Really wanna feel better and confident.
@TreaureSeekers3
What I have been doing is trying to do at least 3 things on the pleasant activities list on the web a week. Trying new things out. The best thing I found so far is square dancing which is good exercise also.
Anything you all do
@Kate love this post im constantly reminding my team if you need self care just let us know and go do it so im able to update tockify etc and when you want to return ill re add etc as for my own self care mines consistent every day ill take a few days away etc and just rest watching a movie or play a game etc ty for the reminder to encourage my team how important it is
Thank you Dani. Yes that sounds good. Heard of that.