As we move through the final month of 2025 while navigating the holiday season, planet retrogrades, work deadlines and a shift into the stillness of winter, the general energy in the collective is one of fatigue. You may feel that your mind is working on overdrive as we approach Sunday’s full moon in Gemini, a sign connected to information, ideas and communication. This is a time of year that many struggle from exhaustion and burnout.
I experienced an intense burnout earlier this year as the sole caregiver for my elderly mother. She had a fall which led to a hospital visit, rehab and a need for more support than I could offer. Burnout revealed itself in a number of ways. I was exhausted and had difficulty focusing on any task. My mind constantly replayed stories anchored in anxiety and dread over the future, making it impossible for me to do my daily meditation ritual and leading to a general feeling of hopelessness. My eating habits got significantly worse and I found myself unable to make it through the day without some form of dessert. I lacked motivation to do much, isolated myself from others and my outlook on life became quite bleak. My burnout also manifested on a physical level as ongoing back pain.
Even after I got support in place for my mother in the form of a full-time home health aide, it took me a few months to recuperate, recenter my energy and come out of hypervigilance mode. The story that constantly replayed in my head, rooted in childhood trauma, was that I wasn’t doing enough: I needed to be doing more for my mother, for my business, etc. I felt frustration over a lack of inspiration and forward movement in my work. I desperately needed a vacation but didn’t allow myself to justify even a short trip anywhere because I hadn’t “earned” it. I compared myself to others, feeling that I hadn’t achieved enough; this took me deeper into the shadow of self-judgment.
I had to hit rock bottom in order to realize that I couldn’t give or create from an empty cup. So I stopped fighting my situation and instead chose to meet myself with compassion. I began a routine of self-care that addressed my physical, emotional, mental and spiritual wellbeing. Working with an aryuvedic practitioner helped my body to recalibrate through the support of natural herbs. Weekly acupuncture sessions were a mandatory part of my self-care routine to rebalance my energy. I sought support and guidance in my own healing journey from a spiritual mentor. Sound healing sessions became the highlight of my month, allowing me to be held energetically and to relinquish my role of space holder. I began creating healthy boundaries, saying no to people and situations that drained my energy. Dance was another part of my weekly routine, offering me moments of joy and a somatic practice to move through intense emotions. I shifted my mindset, offering gratitude for all of the blessings in my life rather than focusing on what wasn’t working. Through these practices, step by step, I found my way back to wholeness.
If you have been suffering from burnout, whether it be physical or emotional, I see you. Know that one intentional step forward in prioritizing your own needs can create a world of difference. I invite you to inquire into what part of your life would benefit from more self-care and nourishment. Is there an area where you need better boundaries to protect your energy? How can you create space for rest and renewal as we move forward into the new year?
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