Feeling burned out? Try focusing on the opposite of burnout, says a Massachusetts Depression Counselor

Written By Bronwyn Shiffer

Here it is again, that buzzword “burnout.” It might leave you feeling empty, depleted, insignificant, and heavy. You may find yourself zoning out in front of the tv and grabbing the sweet and salty whenever possible. I’m Bronwyn, an anxiety and depression therapist based in Madison, WI. My clients live in Wisconsin, Massachusetts and Washington, DC, and many of them are experiencing burnout when they reach out to me. 

I’ve been interviewed in depth about burnout and five things you can do to reverse it. I’ve written shorter pieces about burnout recovery and prevention. All that to say, what I’m talking about today is a piece of the burnout recovery plan. You may need more than this, but focusing on the opposite of burnout is an important part of keeping burnout at bay.

What feeling burned out looks like

Burnout, in a nutshell, is your body saying it’s had too much stress. Over time, if we are too stressed out for too long, our bodies go into shut-down mode. If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, on edge, or on high alert for too long, your body will protect itself by starting to feel nothing. You might feel numb, flat, heavy. You may find yourself irritated for reasons that aren’t obvious, or reacting more strongly to things that wouldn’t otherwise bother you so much.

Why focus on the opposite of burnout when you’re feeling burned out?

One step in burnout recovery is to name your particular burnout feelings. Another step is to articulate what it is that you’re missing, what it is that you want. What you’re missing is the opposite of burnout. One reason this is important is that if you don’t know where you are going, how can you get there? Another reason is that we are wired to pay attention to the negatives. Although it’s important to name the difficult burnout feelings, it’s just as important to keep the opposite of burnout front and center. 

By focusing on what you want, you give it more power, more possibility. You don’t even necessarily have to have a grand plan of how to achieve the opposite of burnout. If you keep reminding yourself that you want more time with your family, or excitement, or joy, your brain will get creative about what you can do to make it happen.

What does the opposite of burnout look like

As with burnout, the opposite of burnout looks different for everyone. You’ll want to personalize this too. When you’re not feeling burned out, you are able to feel:

Gray dolphin jumping out of blue-green water representing the joy it is possible to feel by focusing on the opposite of burnout. Depression counseling in Boston, MA can help decrease feeling burned out. | 02481 | 02493 | 01890

  • Joyful

  • Enthusiastic

  • Connected to a larger purpose

  • Fulfilled

The opposite of burnout is:

Woman standing with arms overhead on the side of a mountain representing the excitement and balance possible when focusing on the opposite of burnout. Working with a depression therapist in Boston, MA can help reverse burnout. | 02481 | 02493 | 01890

  • Excitement

  • Balance

  • Curiosity

When you’re not feeling burned out, it's possible to have fun. You want to go to work. Your relationships are mutual, and you feel supported. You’re clear about your limits and take time for your own pursuits. You are clear about what you can give and what you need. 

The opposite of burnout is feeling:

Two people lying on the grass smiling and covering each other’s eyes representing that feeling burned out can lessen by focusing on the opposite of burnout. Depression therapy in Boston MA can help you recover from burnout. | 02481 | 02493 | 01890

  • Energized

  • Creative

  • Interested

  • Bright

  • Nourished

  • Alive

What other feelings, sensations or experiences are you missing? What is your opposite of burnout?

Hold the opposite of burnout close

In the throes of feeling burned out, it’s hard to remember you’ve ever felt anything but. What are some ways that you can keep the opposite of burnout top of mind? How can you remind yourself of the ways that you want to feel? Is it a sticky note on your mirror? A list on your dashboard? A recurring google calendar task? Get creative. And try to stay playful with it. The goal is not perfection. You just want to give your mind plenty of opportunities to simmer a plan to feel the opposite of burnout and start recovering from burnout.





About the Author

Bronwyn Shiffer, depression counselor, a white woman with brown hair wearing glasses and a purple sweater, standing outside near a pink flowering tree. Therapy for women in Boston, MA helps focus on the opposite of burnout. | 02481 | 02493 | 01890

I’m an anxiety and depression therapist who loves supporting women and HSPs recover from burnout.

Owner of Bronwyn Shiffer Psychotherapy, based in Madison, WI, I provide online therapy in Wisconsin, telehealth therapy in Massachusetts, and virtual therapy in Washington, DC. In addition to burnout and depression therapy, I also offer counseling for anxiety and HSP therapy (and often all three together!).


Bronwyn Shiffer
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