How a Retreat Helped me Recover from my Burnout

You’ve probably heard of burnout before, but let’s take a moment to really look into what it is and how it can creep up on you. Burnout is this pervasive form of exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. It isn’t just about feeling tired; it’s about a deep sense of disillusionment and a loss of connection to yourself and your work.

In my experience, burnout kind of sneaks up on you. You might not even realize it at first until it’s too late. For me, it was a mixture of constant fatigue, irritability, and feeling like my life was always too busy and a feeling of having too much stress in my life. Sounds familiar? Well, you’re not alone. And the tricky part is that it often masquerades as just having ‘off days,’ but those ‘off days’ start stringing together, forming a pattern that’s hard to ignore.

There are some common misconceptions about burnout. Many believe it’s simply a result of working too hard or too long. Burnout happens when you start feeling like your hard work isn’t making you happy or giving you a sense of accomplishment. It’s not just about how much time you spend working, but also about feeling disconnected and unfulfilled by the work you’re doing.
For the mayority of people it’s not JUST work related. Usually it’s a combination of a lot of different factors which trigger you into a burnout.
For me it was more the prolonged personal stress in combination with work related stress.

There was a moment when I suddenly felt different and had to call in sick from work. It was like something clicked in my head, and I knew straight away I had a long way to go to recover from this. I understood that I needed to take action, but also to give myself time to rest. It’s really important to allow yourself to take a break and think things over when you’re feeling overwhelmed. In my case, I found a way to start feeling better by spending time at the Tibetan Institute of Kagyu Yeunten Gyamtso Ling in Belgium. That’s where my journey to overcoming burnout started, and I’ll tell you more about it next.

The Decision to Retreat: A Step Towards Healing

I want to share the moment when I understood that going on a retreat might be the solution to my burnout. It wasn’t easy for me to go from pushing through exhaustion to admitting that I needed help. You know that feeling when you’re so tired that even simple tasks feel overwhelming? That was me, and I felt like I couldn’t take it anymore.

I’m usually not someone who rushes into decisions, but when I came across Kagyu Yeunten Gyamtso Ling in Huy, Belgium, it felt like this could be a place where I could take some rest and make a way to recovery. They were hosting a meditation retreat, located in a serene setting, and this sounded exactly what I needed at that moment –It offered a deep look into the mind and practicing mindfulness. This special mix really got me interested.

I believe it takes courage to deal with your own mind. Choosing a retreat isn’t about escaping; it’s about confronting your inner struggles directly. I knew it wouldn’t be a fancy holiday. It was going to be tough, a serious mental challenge focused on understanding human pain and, hopefully, finding a way through it.

First Impressions of Kagyu Yeunten Gyamtso Ling

I remember first setting foot in the Tibetan institute in Huy, Belgium, a place I’d only heard of through research while planning my retreat. The atmosphere there is incredibly serene, almost as if it exists in a world of its own. For anyone interested, it’s a tranquil sanctuary that appeared to offer relief from the burnout storm.

The first few days at the retreat brought forth a range of emotions. Picture entering into a completely different daily routine: early mornings, the resonating sound of the gong calling us to meditation, and the peaceful self-reflection that filled the gaps between planned activities. It was a new and intimidating experience, but within those structured hours and the once-avoided silence, there was a sense of potential healing.

The calmness of your surroundings can greatly impact your mental well-being. Being in a place surrounded by abundant greenery and a reflective atmosphere like Kagyu Yeunten Gyamtso Ling helped to ground me. It was in this environment that I started to realize that burnout isn’t just about personal shortcomings, but a response to long-term stress that could be eased by adjusting our surroundings and mindset.

As I got used to the surroundings and the initial unfamiliarity faded, I started to see the retreat not only as a getaway, but also as a place to learn about mindfulness and human suffering- concepts that I was about to explore in depth. For me it was like a real-life classroom, where I wasn’t just a guest but a student keen to understand and put these teachings into practice.

Embracing Mindfulness and the Lessons on Human Suffering

Mindfulness might seem like a hype word these days, but at this place, it was the essence of daily practice. These methods helped me gain a deep insight into my mind and the way humans experience suffering.

Do you think that there’s more to mindfulness than just meditating? Well, guess what? There is. Mindfulness is about being present in the moment without judgement. In this tranquil place in Belgium, I learned that it’s also about recognizing our patterns, triggers, and reactions. It’s about awareness.

I gained some valuable insights about how the mind functions. Our thoughts can be relentless, and we often get swept up in them without even realizing. The retreat taught me how to take a step back, observe these thoughts, and not let them dominate me.

The philosophy discussions at the retreat were extremely important. They weren’t formal lectures; they were meaningful conversations about understanding human suffering. This isn’t just about me or you; it’s a universal experience. It was during these discussions that I realized how much of our suffering is caused by our desire for things to stay the same in a world where change is constant.

Now, at the retreat I wasn’t on my own. There were a lot of peolple in the same situation as me and we’re helping out eachother. People not often talk about this aspect of burnout recovery, but I’m here to tell you that community plays an essential role.

The Role of Community in Overcoming Burnout

It was unexpected, but when I initially arrived in Belgium, I thought I was going to be on my own on a journey inward, an exploration of my own thoughts and challenges. However, as time passed, I discovered an unanticipated benefit: the people around me.

In cases of burnout, isolation can often feel like the normal state of being. I was familiar with this, as I would frequently isolate myself to avoid the seemingly ever-present pressures. However, at the retreat, the shared experience of burnout and human suffering gave an immediate connection with the other individuals. I met a lot of people from various backgrounds, and listening to their stories offered both comfort and perspective.

This is not just about sharing our problems. It’s also about creating a supportive community where we understand and care for each other. During meals, walks around the beautiful grounds, and group sessions, we shared stories and ways to deal with our challenges. It felt empowering to be listened to without any judgement and to also listen to others without judging them.

I really want you to understand, from my experience, just how much a supportive community can make a difference. The unity and support in such places can help your recovery in ways you might not expect. As I started to anticipate each day with this new group of people, I started to realize the important idea that healing doesn’t have to be something you do alone.

Gradually, my mindset about life after the retreat started to change. We often talked about how to reintegrate into our daily routines, stay mentally healthy in our busy lives, and keep up with mindfulness. I began to think about how I could bring these valuable lessons back with me, and how to make them a part of my daily life.

Integrating the Retreat Learnings into Daily Life

After enjoying a fulfilling time at the retreat, returning to the usual business of everyday life presented its own difficulties. Retreats have a way of creating a peaceful atmosphere that is often hard to experience elsewhere, especially during a busy work week.

I’ll explain how I managed to bring a sense of calm from the retreat back home. It all began with setting up a daily meditation practice. Spending fifteen minutes every morning became something I wouldn’t compromise on. It’s like building your own mental sanctuary before facing the outside world.

Practicing mindfulness isn’t only for the tranquil moments of a retreat; it’s valuable in the middle of the hustle of daily life. I discovered that approaching tasks with mindfulness, even the ordinary ones, can change your outlook towards them.

To maintain the essence of the retreat, focusing on self-reflection is crucial. I made sure to set aside time every week to simply sit and reflect without any distractions – it’s like giving your brain a reboot.

It’s alright if not everything from the retreat can be applied to daily life. The important thing is to select what aligns with your requirements and way of living. No one expects you to adopt a monk-like lifestyle. It’s about incorporating the retreat’s teachings that help you to be more attentive, patient, and tranquil.

You can always modify your approach later on, but the crucial thing is to take that initial step in applying what you’ve learned. Keep in mind that your first try doesn’t have to be your final one. It’s an ongoing journey of refining what suits you best.

Reflections and Moving Forward Post-Burnout

Coming back from the retreat wasn’t just a journey home; it was a re-entry into a world filled with responsibilities and deadlines. However, this time, I had a secret weapon: the mindfulness and wisdom I had acquired from the retreat.

The thing that stood out to me the most was the deep sense of calm that I felt. It was so different from the overwhelming stress that had caused my burnout. I realized that regularly taking breaks to connect with my inner self wasn’t just something nice to do; it was crucial for staying productive in the long run.

Don’t stress about recreating the calm of a retreat in your everyday life; it’s more about integrating what I learned. Incorporating simple habits like mindful breathing during a busy workday or enjoying peaceful walks has been crucial for me. These habits have not only helped me handle stress but also improved the quality of my work and relationships.

I believe that beating burnout isn’t a one-time thing; it’s an ongoing process. There were times when old habits resurfaced, and that’s alright. You can always adapt your methods as you figure out what suits you best.

Think about something that really connects with you, whether it’s from your own life or something you’ve learned from others. For me, it was understanding that taking care of my mental health is important. It’s not always easy, but every step you take to look after yourself helps you live a better and more satisfying life.

As I talk about my experience, I encourage you to think about your own journey with burnout. You might be thinking about taking a break like I did, or you could be finding your own way to recover. Whatever you choose, remember that your first try doesn’t have to be your only one. Don’t worry too much about being perfect; it’s all about moving forward, one gentle step at a time.
I do really recommend to go on a retreat though. Belgium might not be near where you live but there are hundred of places like this around the world.
At this site you can find almost any retreat you can think of to combat your Burnout. I highly reccomend checking it out.

I truly hope you find the peace and balance you deserve. If this story speaks to you, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Just remember, you’re not alone, and there’s so much potential in the difficulties we encounter. Let’s keep learning, growing, and helping each other along the way.

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