Turning 2024 Burnout Into 2025 Superpowers!

Warning TMI

Hello Friends! I have missed sending you love notes every month, but I really needed a break!

I have been doing too much my entire adult life! I finally crashed. It wasn’t like watching a train wreck, it was more of a slow awaking. Peri-menopause started to very obviously hit last winter, and if you are a woman who’s experienced it you know it’s special. It is different for everyone, but for me it made being me really hard. I’m not going to get into individual symptoms, but I do want to talk about one that is not talked about enough!

First off I do a lot, and I wear a lot of hats, which means I am changing gears a lot. I have 3 business, 2 small children, a husband, and aging parents.

One thing I didn’t know that was happening, and was making me feel absolutely insane was undiagnosed ADHD. It started working overtime with the onset of Peri. This means that I started having increased sensory issues. This caused normal everyday thing things, like noises, people, conversations, ect. to make my mind feel like a tornado.

My life is full of interruptions and distractions, but I started having trouble processing those things and getting re-focused became really hard. This was all causing increased anxiety, self esteem issues, confusing communications, mood swings, feelings of inadequacy, ect.. All of this finally took it’s toll and led to full on burn-out, although I didn’t realize that until I started to feel better.

I finally got a grip on what was happening, but at that point I was half way through my season and focusing on what I could have done better. Once fall rolled around I made a plan to get my mind and body back on track. I started taking evening primrose oil and seeing a hormone specialist. I signed up for beginner Thai Chi, read more, ate more proteins, and got back to the gym to see my personal trainer and nutritionist. I found someone to talk to, and I took all non essential work and put it on a shelf. I used the sauna and took more walks. I also just spent more time with my little family.

I am happier, healthier, and really excited for the coming season. I feel rested, and have a clearer head and am maintaining my priorities and my sanity. I have even learned to harness my ADHD to be my superpower, and use my hyper-fixation to serve me better. I am also staying very alert in my mind and body and focusing on the good things I can do in uncertain times.

I am telling you all this because I am feeling a lot better now. I want anyone else struggling with similar things to not feel alone, or like there is no hope. I had a hard time even recognizing what was happening and coming up with a plan. I am also very privileged that I was able to make the changes and have a lifestyle that can accommodate that.

Just slow down, give yourself some air, untangle your thoughts and needs for a moment, because everything is going to be ok, eventually.

See you on the Farm VERY SOON! Announcing opening Day in a few weeks!

Peace, Love, and Native Plants

Emily