What Dolly Said!

Y’all know the lyrics by Dolly Parton, “working 9-5”? Well, that is me, despite my having a part-time job. Dealing with

burnout is such a real struggle when it comes to adulting, and I feel like it’s something that isn’t talked about enough. I feel like the U.S. as a whole is so go-go-go that we forget to “smell the roses”.

In my life thus far, I’ve had four jobs. I worked at Kumon during my senior year of high school with my best friend. I have so many stories from the job, oh my gosh. Then I worked as a

Social Media Supervisor for my university’s gym. This arguably was probably my favorite job. My co-workers were literally the best, and I got half my friends hired with me so we could all work together lol. Then I worked as a social media manager at a bookstore for about three months before they let me go with NO NOTICE! I will not blast them on here, but they were so unorganized that it was sometimes hard to do my job. Then my current job, which I’ll talk mostly about, is at Lifetime Fitness. I wear a couple of different hats at LT. I’m a camp lead, kids’ supervisor, PNO supervisor, and all this to say I do a lot. I work every day and even weekends sometimes! How I juggle it all, who knows, but I honestly wouldn’t have it any other way. I see Lifetime as a stepping stone to bigger things, and I have learned and gained so much from being there. The best part, in my opinion, is my co-workers. I can say confidently, I have made friends there who will probably be in my life forever at this point. I have one friend (turned best friend) named Ashlei. Now, if

y’all know me from work, y’all know she’s my girl. We started working closely together about three years ago after working almost every camp shift together (and also close from another thing that I can’t say lol), BUT ASHLEI has been there for me for so much you don’t even understand. When it comes to work, we are always there to help each other. A lot of my roles involved her, and we are co-leads or supervisors, so we spend a lot of time together. The best way I can describe our relationship is like sisters, she really is like my other half. It’s so funny because I never really imagined myself getting so close ot them. You know, when I got this job initially, I just thought I would clock in, clock out, but that really wasn’t the case. Also, we’re all literally going on a trip this weekend together for me and Natalie’s (my other work bff) birthday, like fifteen of us. I think bonds like this make it easy to work.

I also think something I’ve gained at Lifetime is traits I would use for other jobs. My time management has become impeccable due to having to meet deadlines. My work ethic has always been good, but with various promotions, I have to be on top of my game. The biggest trait I get and am still learning is being a leader. I have to lead a lot of people of different ages at certain events, and this has been the best thing for me. I’ve always taken initiative, but at Lifetime, I am able to do it more due to my roles. This sounds like an ad HAHAHA, but truly I am grateful for the work I get to do.

Now I’m lying if I told you work was perfect. This isn’t necessarily about Lifetime, but in all my jobs, I have experienced burnout. Unpopular opinion: this is normal, especially if you do your job right. That’s my take on it. I love what I get to do with the kids at my work and  hope I truly do change their day. However, with any job, caring so much can lead to burning yourself out. For example, I had to take a week off my job because I felt like I was overworking myself to the point I was having panic attacks. It wasn’t necessarily the job; I just was overcommitting to so many things, and I felt like it was getting redundant. As much as I want to be “non-cjalant”, I am a people pleaser to my core. That’s where the overcommitting has come from. I’ve come a long way. I don’t say “yes” ot everything, but it still is a small thought in my head. I mean, jobs kind of are sometimes a routine, that is. Nothing is wrong with a routine, some people really like that, but for me it can get a lot. After I took that break, I wanted to find ways for me to positively reinforce this job! One of those ways was not getting involved in drama. Now I won’t name-drop, obviously, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feed into it, but I try to stay away from negativity surrounding any job I’ve had. It just kind of produces this negative mindset as soon as you step into the job. This is the most important thing/step to be taken when a break is needed. And honestly, realizing you may need a break, whether that is a day or a week, if able, take it! It’s okay to rediscover different things you like. I am very much blessed to have this job. Sometimes I get in my head about how this isn’t my “dream job”, but I quickly snap out of it. I recently have had this mindset, and so many doors have been opening for me there and outside of work that I just feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude.

In the comments, tell me if you have burnout right now. Or in the past? What do you do to cope with it?