Through the Looking Glass and Into the Unknown
You're 12th installation of your go-to guide to navigate burnout and burnout recovery.
“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves, which means embracing uncertainty.” — Viktor Frankl
Burnout recovery has taught me many things, but one of the most challenging lessons has been about learning how to navigate uncertainty.
I am someone that does really well with structure. A plan, an outline, a direction… Literally any structure is where I like to say I thrive.
All throughout my recovery process, I’ve wanted a direct, strategic roadmap that would show me exactly how to feel better and how to get back to “peak efficiency Katie.” I’ve always believed that if I could find the right plan, I could execute on it and life would fall back into place.
Obviously, life doesn’t work like that, and life has a funny way of working itself out.
If you’re feeling stuck or unsure about what’s next, I want to reassure you that you’re not alone.
And unfortunately, regardless of whichever stage of life you are in right now, there will always be a decent degree of uncertainty that exists.
This morning, I’ll share what I’ve learned from my own experience and offer a simple five-step, easy-to-remember framework to help you move through those unclear moments with more ease and more self-compassion.
The Uncomfortable Truth About Growth
The uncomfortable truth about healing and recovery is that the journey itself does not come with any guarantees.
I’ve briefly talked about this before, but my burnout recovery journey has turned out to be a slower, messier, more complicated journey than I expected.
What I mean by that is that recovery does not come with simple timelines or quick fixes. It unfolds in its own way, often in ways that don’t make sense.
Even though I recognize the non-linear path of healing, I still have moments when I catch myself questioning why I haven’t fully healed and why haven’t I figured everything out.
And if there is one thing I’ve realized about burnout recovery, it’s that trying to push past uncertainty too quickly can create more tension, frustration, and sometimes, even more uncertainty.
I’ve learned so much about myself, how I acknowledge, interpret, and process emotions. I’ve learned how to slow down and how to stay present in the moments that feel unclear. And I’ve slowly learned that even if I don’t have everything figured out right now, it does not mean I’m a failure at life.
But I’ll be honest, learning to be patient with myself through navigating the uncertainty has been really hard.
I try to resist the feeling to compare my progress to others. I try to celebrate small wins even when the bigger picture feels unclear. I try to trust that healing takes its own time.
If you’re reading this and you’re in a similar place, I want to reiterate that this is part of the journey.
You are not alone in feeling unsure.
This uncertainty does not mean that you are lost or behind. It simply means you are in transition, and inevitably, transitions take time.
It can be easy to judge yourself too harshly for not having a clear plan or a certain direction.
But let me be the first to say: You are allowed to move slowly. You are allowed to feel unsure. You are allowed to not have it all figured out.
It’s okay to remind yourself that you are healing, and that slow progress is still progress.
5-Step FOCUS Framework to Navigate Uncertainty
To help make uncertainty feel a little less overwhelming, I’ve put together a simple 5-step framework that you can start using anytime you’re unsure what to do next.
F — Freeze and Breathe
Pause and take a breath to check in with how you’re really feeling.
It’s okay to be honest if you’re having a hard day, and it’s okay to celebrate when you’re having a good day.
O — One Thing at a Time
Try to focus on one small, manageable part of your day, instead of your whole life plan.
C — Coach Yourself
Ask, “What’s one simple step I can take right now?”
Be your own guide.
U — Uplift Your Momentum
Take that small action and makes you feel proud.
(I promise it does not have to be something big.)
S — Stop, Reflect, Reset
Stop to reflect on what worked, then get ready for the next step forward.
El Fin
If you’ve made it this far, thank you for taking the time to read this entry.
My hope is that in reading this, something resonated. Maybe it gave you a bit of clarity or maybe it reminded you that you’re not the only one feeling this way.
If you know someone who’s struggling with burnout, please consider sharing this newsletter with them. My goal is to build a community where we can openly share honest thoughts, reflections, and practical tools to support each other.
Stay tuned for next week’s posts, where I’ll share more guidance and actionable steps to help you beat burnout.
And remember: Progress > Perfection. Always.