Balance and Burnout

What's the best piece of advice you've ever received?

I've received a few over the years, but I think for me the challenge is finding balance and avoiding burnout. It always sneaks up on me. There is so much advice out there and I honestly think balance is a bit of a cop out too. Is it even possible to reach balance without burnout? I don't think so.

Parenting a child with trauma and behaviour needs fuelled by anxiety is not for the faint of heart. Every minute you are on egg shells, waiting for the next shoe to drop.

Finding balance is I believe the mark of a true warrior, but a true challenge. Balance begins with me too, instead of others first. Our children need so much support, understanding and empathy that it can leave us with little left to cope with daily stressors. Finding little small ways to create peace in our own bodies can go a long way in sustaining us.

The Night Before Discharge.

Even a child knows how valuable the forest is. The fresh, breathtaking smell of trees. Echoing birds flying above that dense magnitude. A stable climate, a sustainable diverse life and a source of culture. Yet, forests and other ecosystems hang in the balance, threatened to become croplands, pasture, and plantations.

My daughter is going home today after 3 weeks inpatient stay for her trauma and challenges associated to that. She seems calmer and I miss her so much. We want her home more than anything. But we are also scared. We don't know what child will be presented before us. This is such an isolating experience that no one really understands. I am finding moments to get my breath. I am so exhausted thinking about the packing and cleaning to do.

Photo by Nataliya Vaitkevich on Pexels.com