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
Thank you for highlighting this.
This is, sadly, not a topic addressed often enough. Addictive behavior takes many forms, and it is never wise to tell oneself that could never happen to ME.
I see SO many new members do exactly what I did; I jumped in with all good intentions firing at MAXIMUM EFFORT and did my best to be the best I could be the best at.. well, helping my fellow humanity. It felt scary, and amazingly vital and useful and REAL that I was making such a difference!! Adrenaline! Loss of sleep! Shifting of priorities! THIS was important, THIS was what mattered. I had found a greater good.
I am more grateful now that I had also found a good initial mentor who taught me the most valuable lesson I think anyone can learn on 7cups: BOUNDARIES.
Setting clear boundaries for the members you interact with is important! But an aspect of self care that is often neglected is the boundaries we should set and hold for ourselves as well. We, as Listeners, are all here as volunteers. We are here (ideally) because we self-sacrifice to give of our time and selves to help others, but often it seems like too many burn their candles at both ends from the start, or try to take on too much at once when they DO step into a higher role, and fade away to not be seen again.
@BeTheChangeYouWant Brilliant post. Thank you so much for posting your thoughts /experiences and for sharing what had helped you.
Thank you for this incredibly valuable post and to everyone who offered such meaningful and valuable input. Im a very new listener here on 7cups, and I feel it is my responsibility toward myself in taking care and to get to know some of the pitfalls and challenges that experienced listeners and leaders encounter within their 7 cups roles and to be cognizant of what support systems might be available should the need for self care arise.
The need for setting boundaries (including self boundaries) is vital and I can see how addictive helping others might become as it releases the hit of dopamine and a sense of accomplishment. As a very new volunteer here, I want to be conscious of how I invest my time and to what degree I extend myself, as the genuine passion and desire to be there for and help others can also be dangerous to oneself if unabated.
Having said that I am very grateful to be here and be a small part of this amazing community and a team of amazing ppl. ❤️
@Kate Thank you for this. I have been a listener for several years and often people ask where I go for months at a time. I often invest a lot of time and then simultaneously need a lot of self-care afterward. I try to do what I can but I always found it discouraging for a while that my burnout seemed unusual. Now I feel like a normal human being who is doing what they can and I know that there is a way for me to take a break in a healthy way. Thank you again!
@Kate
I love your post about self care to bits. amazing tips!
@Kate
so true