Avoid Holiday Burnout

Speaker 1: I'm Melanie [music] Bar. Welcome back to the Sheila Tip podcast, your go-to place to empower you to live the life and business that you crave. [music] I'm

Speaker 1: here to talk about everything from having the courage to make life and career leaps to the details of how to lead effectively, create successful teams, [music] implement strategies for growth, and infuse tech innovation. I'm here to celebrate your wins [music] and navigate through your challenges. I live

Speaker 1: in the city now, but I grew up in a town of a thousand people. I've navigated major life leaps, a senior level corporate career, worked in professional sports, and now as a successful entrepreneur who loves business, technology, family, and making meaningful connections with you and the She Built It Community. I also love a good workout and dose of self-care.

Speaker 1: [music] Magic happens when we focus on the part of ourselves and our business that brings us [music] joy. So, turn up the audio, open your favorite notes app, grab your favorite drink, and [music] here we go.

Speaker 1: If your out of office reply is on while your mind is still triaging work, this episode is for you. If you're juggling grocery lists, kids games, meal prep, travel plans, and those last minute client messages that always show up before a holiday, this episode is for you. You deserve a Thanksgiving where your body and your mind arrive in the same place. Let's talk about how to protect yourself from burnout during a week that can feel like a marathon

Speaker 1: disguised as a holiday. Welcome back to the Sheba Tip podcast. If you're listening to this during Thanksgiving week, I'm guessing your hands are full. There is food to prepare, family to coordinate, kids to entertain, and business tasks that somehow refuse to wait their turn. My goal today is simple. I want to give you a reset, a short pause, a clear way to move through this week without losing yourself. I'll

Speaker 1: start with a personal Thanksgiving story that changed how I work around the holidays. Then we'll walk through an easy practical plan to protect your energy now and through the end of the year. There was a Thanksgiving where

Speaker 1: everything in my life collided. Work projects, board commitments, youth sports, school events, client deadlines, and all the invisible tasks women carry but rarely talk about. On paper, it looked like an amazing holiday. Family coming in, kids excited, a full table. I had said yes to everything because I didn't want anyone to be disappointed. But inside, I felt stretched thin. One night, everyone was watching a movie.

Speaker 1: The house felt peaceful. Instead of sitting down with them, I grabbed my laptop and told myself it would only be one email. 30 minutes in, I looked up and realized I had missed half of the movie. My kids were laughing at the scene I never saw. It wasn't guilt, it was clarity. I realized I had built a life I loved, then forgot at times to live inside it. That night, standing in the kitchen with a headful of noise, I asked myself a question that changed things for me if I keep working like this, what does next year look like? That moment became the beginning of a new rhythm. Burnout doesn't happen because you don't care. Burnout happens because you care so much you forget to limit your energy. So, this week, I want you to give yourself permission to do something simple but powerful. Pull your expectations back to something real.

Speaker 1: Take out your notes app and create two

Speaker 1: must-do list should be short. Only what truly needs to happen this week. Your can wait list can be longer than you expected. That's the point. Your brain has been carrying next month, next quarter, and next year inside one week. This is how you reclaim your time. You don't ignore tasks. You organize them in a way that honors your actual life. Now,

Speaker 1: choose one boundary for the week, just one. Here are a few examples. Check email once or twice on Thanksgiving day. No new meetings until next Monday. A clear message to clients. I'm offline beginning Wednesday afternoon. Ending gatherings a little earlier so you have space to breathe. And no work between certain hours. This one boundary prevents 10 fires later. I used to take

Speaker 1: calls during Thanksgiving week because I thought I had to. When I stopped, nothing collapsed. In fact, I returned to work more focused and better prepared for the year- end planning. Your boundary is not selfish. It protects the things you value. You might be thinking, "There's still so much happening this week." I understand you alone can fill an entire holiday weekend. So, instead of big rest, try micro rest. Micro rest looks like sitting in your car for 3 minutes before walking inside. A short walk alone after a meal. Putting your phone away as you cook. Letting yourself do one thing at a time instead of five. Taking a slow breath before you answer anyone. These tiny moments rebuild you.

Speaker 1: They remind your mind and body that you matter, too. This holiday is about gratitude. And gratitude is not only for the people around you. It includes you. Gratitude means acknowledging the person who built this life, the person who keeps showing up, the person who makes all of this possible. Thank yourself.

Speaker 1: Take care of yourself. Rest for yourself. Honor yourself. Your business, your family, your friends, your future, all benefit from a rested version of you. As you move through Thanksgiving

Speaker 1: week, remember, you are allowed to slow down. You are allowed to rest. You are allowed to enjoy the life you work so hard to build. Make your two lists and give yourself micro rest and step into the holiday knowing you are not alone.

Speaker 1: You are building something meaningful and you deserve to feel good while doing it. Thank you for joining us today. I'd

Speaker 1: love to hear from you. [music] Reach out to me at hell@shiltit.com on our shebuilt website or at she built it on social. [music] Thank you to my editor Rich Duffolino who always makes us sound good. Until [music] next time,

Speaker 1: let nothing stop you from experiencing the life and business that you crave.