Stop the Burnout Cycle: Start With a “Real” Day Off

How many of us have actually taken a real day off?

Not a day off work where we still run errands, rush through chores, or try to catch up on the endless to do list. I mean a day that is truly for yourself. A day filled only with things you want to do.

Over the past year I moved from balance to burnout, and one of the biggest shifts that helped me turn things around was learning to take real days off. I start these days by reminding myself that they are for me and that I am allowed to enjoy them with zero guilt.

Let me be honest. This was hard at first. I carried so much guilt about not being productive. I worried about all the chores waiting for me and felt anxious when I wasn’t checking things off a list. But once I learned to sit in the stillness and remind myself that rest is productive, things began to change.

So what do my real days off look like now?

I sleep in and let my body rest because my soul needs that kind of restoration.

I sip my favorite cup of coffee with my beloved Silk Almond Milk creamer.

I spend time curled up on the sofa watching a good movie.

I take a nap. Yes, absolutely a nap.

And I end the day with dinner and a game of Clue with my boys, my husband and our son.

Nothing fancy. Nothing elaborate. But this simple routine has been a game changer for me.

Now I want to ask you……

What does YOUR real day off look like? And when was the last time you had one?

Someone once shared a simple truth with me. You will make time for what you choose to make time for. 

Recovering from or preventing burnout requires intention. It requires planning. It requires the willingness to protect your wellbeing the same way you protect your responsibilities.....Choose YOU!

Here is where you start:

One: Review your schedule and choose a day to take a real day off. Even once a month or every other week can make a difference. Put it on the calendar and honor it.

Two: Share your plan with the people around you and ask for help if you need it. Maybe someone can watch your children or walk your dog. You will be surprised by how willing people are to support you.

Three: Begin your real day off with ten minutes of stillness. Fill that quiet space with gratitude and release any guilt you feel about not starting a typically productive day.

Give yourself permission to LIVE. You deserve a life that includes rest, joy, and moments created just for you.

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” – Matthew 11:28 / NKJV

Want to Go Deeper?

If this message spoke to you, you will find value in my featured blog: From Burnout to Balance: The Power of Gritty Stillness