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Course 2: Becoming a 7 Cups Leader - (Discussion #11) Avoiding Burnout

Heather225 August 27th, 2020

7 Cups is founded on a community of passionate volunteers who lovingly dedicate their time to providing support.

You may face what is called burnout during your journey. You may have already faced this in your real life. Burnout is very real and must be recognized. You can't help fuel someone else when your tank is empty, after all!

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To address and learn about burnout, we have created a slidedeck on how to avoid burnout.

Activity: Please read it through and in the replies, tell us what you learned, and what you will do to stay healthy and avoid burnout!

Then, please reply to 3 of your peers in this thread with encouraging or supportive words!

mailAfter completing the course quiz, please proceed to this post!


This post is brought to you by the Leadership Development Program Team, find out more information about the program here.

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Petrichor2000 September 11th, 2020

Please read it through and in the replies, tell us what you learned, and what you will do to stay healthy and avoid burnout!

I learned a lot of things to put here. On my personal level. I noticed a pattern. I give a lot and then gets burned out.

The right solution is to find a balance and that's what I am gonna find now. I should also maintain healthy boundaries.

And remember my WHY.

I found this quote yesterday and just wanted to put it here.., "He who has a WHY to live for can bear almost any HOW."

1 reply
freshMint9376 September 13th, 2020

@Petrichor2000

Great quote!

1 reply
Petrichor2000 September 13th, 2020

@freshMint9376 thank you.

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Zahraa000 February 23rd, 2022

Good answer

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LittleBirdie30 September 13th, 2020

@Heather225

I have learned that it is perfectly okay and essential to take self-care breaks! It is needed to continue to successfully volunteer on 7 Cups. I am currently not taking any chats because I am super busy with the new semester and I have to learn that it is okay to take a break when there is too much on my plate!

1 reply
freshMint9376 September 13th, 2020

@LittleBirdie30

Breaks can be very helpful!

hopedreamlove September 13th, 2020

@LittleBirdie30

It makes sense not taking any new chats. Breaks can be super helpful! Good luck with the new semester!

Rebekah October 3rd, 2020

@LittleBirdie30, taking breaks are so important! ๐Ÿ’™

Zahraa000 February 23rd, 2022

I agree with u๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿป

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freshMint9376 September 13th, 2020

Please read it through and in the replies, tell us what you learned, and what you will do to stay healthy and avoid burnout!

I learned to keep a (minty) fresh attitude and to remember my reason for volunteering in the first place!

2 replies
freshMint9376 September 13th, 2020

@freshMint9376

I will remember to take self care breaks in order to stay healthy and avoid burnouts

hopedreamlove September 13th, 2020

@freshMint9376

Keeping a minty attitude is awesome! What was your reason for volunteering in the first place? Great response!

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hopedreamlove September 13th, 2020

Please read it through and in the replies, tell us what you learned, and what you will do to stay healthy and avoid burnout!

I learned that burnout is a state of chronic stress, I did not know that before! I had no idea that burn out could have physical symptoms, that was informative and really interesting to learn! In order to avoid burnout, I will be doing daily downtime, as well as take regular self-care breaks, and try to set boundaries with my time online.

1 reply
MoonlightHelper1 September 20th, 2020

@hopedreamlove

Great answer! It seems like you learned a lot about burnout and you also have a good plan about how to prevent it! Well done :)

WelcomeToChat October 1st, 2020

@hopedreamlove


Beautiful answer !
How difficult is to limit time online !

But how important !

wanjiku November 30th, 2020

@hopedreamlove

your response is informative and insightful....

beautifulSeal9714 January 17th, 2021

@hopedreamlove

Nice answer :)

shiningSky3745 April 15th, 2021

@hopedreamlove

Great answer

Zahraa000 February 23rd, 2022

Great answer๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿป

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shiningDay80 September 13th, 2020

@Heather225

What I learned from the slides is what burnout means and how I can avoid it. First, I can recognize if I am feeling it, and then take the necessary precautions to reduce it or get rid of it. That means scheduling time offline from the platform, contacting managers about my roles if I bit off more I can chew, and make sure I set good boundaries between my time and my time on the platform. When we get burnout, it can highly affect our ability to lead. It's okay to take a break when needed and communicate it to others so they are aware.

1 reply
shiningDay80 September 13th, 2020

@shiningDay80

And to also remember WHY I volunteered in the first place. That's the key point!

1 reply
victoriousSunset1572 October 2nd, 2020

@shiningDay80 great response !

Skyglider November 6th, 2020

@shiningDay80 the "why" is such a big thing to remember!

ouiCherie January 5th, 2021

@shiningDay80

Love this. And you're right to note this. Always remember WHY we volunteered in the first place โค๏ธ

May 31st, 2021

Hi @shiningDay80! I love how you mentioned remembering the โ€œwhyโ€ you volunteered in the first place. Many times we forget, particularly when things get tough and we question whether or not we should be here.

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Beaconx September 13th, 2020

@shiningDay80

Awesome response

Endure777 September 15th, 2020

@shiningDay80

Very thoughtful answer. Good job!

pizzaiscool September 25th, 2020

@shiningDay80

Its always important to take a break, I agree!

ahealingEndoftherainbow22 September 28th, 2020

@shiningDay80

Great response :)

WelcomeToChat October 1st, 2020

@shiningDay80

I like the "Preventive" approach to Burnout. I have not seen it stressed anywhere before. It's always what to do "after" your brain is burnt.

"Preventive" is Wiser !

amiablePeace77 October 4th, 2020

@shiningDay80

You're so right, balance is so important!

SofiaT2000 November 1st, 2020

@shiningDay80 Great answer! I'm sure you'll do great!

Dinohorus November 14th, 2020

@shiningDay80

I appreciated your thorough post!

warmLove3625 February 11th, 2021

@shiningDay80

I agree with you on how to avoid burnout and put yourself first sometimes. I hope you are able to care for yourself and make sure you don't reach that point - seems to me like you are on a good track with that though.

Best of luck with your LDP Journey!

goldenFriend9335 February 14th, 2021

@shiningDay80

Very thoughtful response!

Jili February 28th, 2021

@shiningDay80

Sounds like you learned a lot!

Readylistener April 8th, 2021

@shiningDay80 You expressed it in a lovely way, and yeo remembering the why makes a huge difference. Take care <3

kindFish9215 October 7th, 2021

@shiningDay80

Very informative! I hope that you incorporate self-care routines too in order to prevent burnout.

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Beaconx September 13th, 2020

@Heather225

Please read it through and in the replies, tell us what you learned, and what you will do to stay healthy and avoid burnout!

I learned a lot from the slides. I discovered that I can't give what I don't have and in the process of helping others I should avoid burn out..I also learned not to accumulate portfolios, it's better to drop some to be effective and also fill my emotional, physical needs. It is good for me to get go offline for a while to get more energy and refreshed.

1 reply
Endure777 September 15th, 2020

@Beaconx

Keep up the good work!

BookChunky September 18th, 2020

@Beaconx

Excellent response! Totally understandable.

Grace8402 September 19th, 2020

@Beaconx

Great answer!!

River October 1st, 2020

@Beaconx

Agreed and loved how you put that we cant give what we dont have, it is so necessary to remember that!

October 3rd, 2020

Agreed @Beaconx.
If we are not at our best, it's unfair to us and to the person depending on us.

Dinohorus November 14th, 2020

@Beaconx

Great post!

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ahealingEndoftherainbow22 September 14th, 2020

@Heather225

Please read it through and in the replies, tell us what you learned, and what you will do to stay healthy and avoid burnout!

๐ŸŒธ I learned that burnout is a state of chronic stress and is real. I'll take breaks when I have to and not feel guilty about it, practise self care, say no when I have to

1 reply
Endure777 September 15th, 2020

@ahealingEndoftherainbow22

Nice job with your answer! Self-care is important when dealing with burnout indeed!

crystalclearnow September 16th, 2020

@ahealingEndoftherainbow22

True. Self care is essential but not feeling guilty about taking it is so very important.yes

1 reply
ahealingEndoftherainbow22 September 18th, 2020

@crystalclearnow

Yes, it's something most of us need to remember :)

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crystalclearnow September 16th, 2020

@ahealingEndoftherainbow22

True. Self care is essential but not feeling guilty about taking it is so very important.yes

crystalclearnow September 16th, 2020

@ahealingEndoftherainbow22

True. Self care is essential but not feeling guilty about taking it is so very important.yes

September 17th, 2020

@ahealingEndoftherainbow22

I like how you mention guilt, because we can often feel guilty for taking the time to self-care. Ultimately, it is important to keep in mind that before we are able to serve others, we have to make sure we are in the right mental and emotional state to help them, and that often requires serving ourselves first!

1 reply
ahealingEndoftherainbow22 September 18th, 2020

@IvyL

So true and great reminder! :)

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Grace8402 September 19th, 2020

@ahealingEndoftherainbow22

๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘

pizzaiscool September 25th, 2020

@ahealingEndoftherainbow22

not feeling guilty is key, good luck!

Readylistener April 8th, 2021

@ahealingEndoftherainbow22 That makes so much sense, and I agree breaks are super important! Stay safe <3

FawkesCare12 May 7th, 2021

@ahealingEndoftherainbow22

Great responsee. Especially the part about not feeling guilty when taking time out for ourselves

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Endure777 September 15th, 2020

@Heather225

I learned that it is important to reflect on what stresses you out and to constantly take self-care breaks when needed in order to avoid burning out. What am going to do to ensure I do not burn out is make sure I communicate to my team when I need a self-care break, reach out to peers when I feel overburdened or stressed, and constantly assess and reflect on my needs and what burns me out.

1 reply
shiningSound31 September 15th, 2020

@CognitiveACE

Brilliant answer, Ace heart! I wish you the best in your journey ahead!

October 3rd, 2020

Agreed @CognitiveACE
โ€‹โ€‹โ€‹โ€‹โ€‹โ€‹โ€‹If we are not at our best, it's unfair to us and to the person depending on us.

Skyglider November 6th, 2020

@CognitiveACE great approach! :)

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shiningSound31 September 15th, 2020

@Heather225

Please read it through and in the replies, tell us what you learned, and what you will do to stay healthy and avoid burnout!

I learnt that burnout is a reality which if ignored can cause serious problem to our mental well-being and can defeat the purpose of the team for which we work. There are times when we need to pause and assess our roles. If we still want to continue pursuing our roles, then we need to priorities self-care. If we don't want to continue our current role, then we should start considering a transition sooner than later. At every point in time, we must prioritise our emotional well-being and our personal needs. Ignoring our emotional well-being and personal needs may cause burnout, may worsen the situation of burnout and may affect the work we do in our professional or personal life.

In order to stay healthy and avoid burnout, I will take good sleep, will exercise daily, prioritise self-care, and will regularly reassess my Why for anything I would do.

1 reply
September 17th, 2020

@shiningSound31

When I first started out as a listener, I was very excited to get involved in many roles across the site, but I soon found myself overwhelmed and exhausted after six months. So it is definitely very important to prioritize our own emotional well-being as volunteers and leaders, like you have said!

1 reply
shiningSound31 September 19th, 2020

@IvyL

The same happened with me also. Self-care is really important! heart

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BookChunky September 18th, 2020

@shiningSound31

Good response! Excercise and Sleep is extremely imp too.

1 reply
shiningSound31 September 19th, 2020

@BookChunky

I absolutely agree with you, Chunky heart! Sleep and exercise are one of the important ways to practise self-care. heart

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MoonlightHelper1 September 20th, 2020

@shiningSound31

Love your answer! I think what you said is very important and everyone should realize it - at every point in time, we must prioritize our emotional well-being and our personal needs because otherwise we cannot do our job properly and we are damaging our health! We have only one health after all.

1 reply
shiningSound31 September 21st, 2020

@MoonlightHelper1

Completely agree with you, Moon heart We only have one health and that need sincere care from our own end.

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amiablePeace77 October 4th, 2020

@shiningSound31

Emotional well being and our needs are so important, good insight!

1 reply
shiningSound31 October 4th, 2020

@amiablePeace77

Thank you :)

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Readylistener April 8th, 2021

@shiningSound31 You summarised the essence of being burnt out so well! And those self care tips are great, and I wish you the very best in your journey ahead :)

magicmango26 March 20th, 2022

@shiningSound31


love your response!
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crystalclearnow September 16th, 2020

Something I will implement as a part of self-care routine is complete social media and technological detox days, so that I can come back rejuvenated.

2 replies
September 17th, 2020

@crystalclearnow

I think a social media and tech detox is a great idea! Though I'm not much of a user of social media myself, I tend to spend quite a bit of time on the internet.

MoonlightHelper1 September 20th, 2020

@crystalclearnow

This is an excellent idea! Actually recently I have started to notice more and more how toxic social media can be and I think it is very important for our well-being to have some social media and technological detox days. I have not though of implementing it to my self-care routine but your comment prompted me to try it. Thank you!

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