Looking back ...

Wow. My last entry was on the last day of July as we entered into August 2025. Then I was saying I am ready for August - expecting there would be lots I would want to record and reflect for that month. Lo and behold, here we are - it's September already. And not just in September but three days into a new-new month.

A lot happened in August - and I allowed myself to get carried away with the flow .. forgetting to note thoughts, feelings, and experiences here. But anyway, let's see if I can do better this month.

For my first entry in September, let's me just take a quick look back to the previous week.

Last week, I had the privilege of facilitating a workshop on Understanding Burnout and How to Prevent It for a dedicated group of professionals. Over 20 participants joined us in exploring not only the challenges of burnout, but also the small, intentional steps we can take to nurture energy, resilience, and well-being.

I’m deeply grateful to the organization that trusted me with this journey, to my co-facilitators for their support, and most of all to the participants for their openness, courage, and thoughtful engagement. Workshops like these remind me that the real work happens not in the slides or activities, but in the honest conversations, shared reflections, and willingness to pause.

We explored what burnout really looks like – how it often creeps in quietly through exhaustion, disconnection, and a sense of being on autopilot. Participants mapped out their own energy drains and created “burnout dashboards” to notice their early warning signs. It was powerful to witness the moment someone recognized: “Oh… that’s why I feel this way. I’ve been ignoring the signals my body has been sending me.”

Equally important, we practiced small rituals of restoration: mindful pauses, energy audits, and reframing stress with compassion instead of judgment. Simple exercises — like breathing together, moving our bodies, or sharing in small groups – reminded us that healing doesn’t come from grand gestures but from consistent, gentle acts of care.

On a personal note, I walked away reminded of Richard Bach’s words: “We teach best what we most need to learn.” Each time I guide others in exploring balance and self-care, I am also teaching myself to slow down, listen within, and practice the same compassion I invite others to extend to themselves.

As I reflect on this experience, I’m hopeful that the seeds planted during our time together will continue to grow in the lives of the participants, in the culture of their workplace, and within myself as I continue to learn alongside them.