Experiencing burnout at any level can be detrimental to your mental and physical health. In today's episode, I'm going to share with you three easy steps to overcoming burnout. Welcome to the no Hesitations podcast, the show where restaurant leaders learn tools, tactics and habits from the world's greatest operators. I'm your host, Christin Marvin, with Solutions by Christin. I've spent the last two decades in the restaurant industry and now partner with restaurant leaders to help them overcome burnout, increase retention, reignite their passion and drive successful businesses. Subscribe or follow and join the conversation each week wherever you find your podcast, because there's no time like the present to listen in and level up. Over the past 15 years, my passion for the restaurant industry has been fueled by the dynamic nature of the business, the constant hustle, the ever-changing days and the profound impact I could have on both employees and guests. However, as much as I reveled in the vibrancy of this field, the toll it took on me became undeniable. Today I share my journey of overcoming burnout, emphasizing self-awareness, setting boundaries and prioritizing self-care. The concept of burnout only truly resonated with me, I think, post-pandemic. Despite enduring weeks of exhaustive work in the restaurant industry, which I thought was completely normal, I never really identified myself as burned out. Initially, I perceived burnout to be a weakness, until I took a moment to reflect on my life and acknowledge that I had indeed reached the point of burnout. For me, burnout extended beyond long working hours. It manifested in an overall dissatisfaction with my environment, excessive drinking and an unbalanced diet. The turning point for me came one morning as I faced the consequences of my unhealthy lifestyle Waking up again in physical pain from drinking, having a foul mood due to inadequate sleep I'm a huge sleeper, so that really impacts me and again frustrated with self-neglect. I was fed up with the routine of trying to get on my Peloton every morning to merely cope with work and realized it was time for a change. Seeking help and partnering with a coach marked the crucial first step in admitting that my life needed redirection. Recognizing the unsustainability of my lifestyle, I confronted the reality of misery and burnout, shedding the denial that had consumed me.

Subsequently, I embarked on a profound self-exploration, aligning each of my aspects of life with my values. Setting boundaries, particularly around detrimental habits like excessive alcohol consumption and an unhealthy diet, became imperative. Collaborating with a coach empowered me to silence those negative thoughts that had eroded my confidence over the last few years, with both sobriety and mental clarity, it became evident that a significant imbalance existed in my life, particularly in my role as a regional manager for five years. The repetitive nature of my work during the pandemic left me worn out and craving a redis design of both my lifestyle and my career. I delved into rediscovering my true self, identifying the elements that once brought me happiness and committing to a transformative journey.

This commitment involved pursuits such as studying nutrition, embracing meditation, daily journaling and taking a hiatus from work. A three-month break allowed me to clear my head completely and led me to the realization that I desired to start my own company and be my own boss. Despite the challenges, creating my own path has brought unparalleled joy. Rediscovering my love for creativity and relishing the autonomy to make the decisions of my business every single day has completely rejuvenated me. I now feel like my 25-year-old self again, only way wiser and much, much more content. Thanks everybody for listening, subscribe and follow anywhere you find your podcast, and be sure to follow me on LinkedIn at Kristen-Marvin.