When writer Dan England pitched an article to me on burnout, I wasn’t really interested. I mean, the COVID-19 pandemic’s impacts on our lives over the past two-plus years is exhausting, and frankly, I am a little over it.
But England usually sends me good pitches and I trust his gut, so I bit, and I am glad I did. As I was reading his article, I couldn’t help but notice how much of the material resonated with me, and not just as it relates to the pandemic. My husband and I have a 9.5-year-old business, and we are very proud of it. It is like our child. We have seen it through every stage of its life. But, man, we are both a little tired, and it is hard not to feel guilty about that.
Just like Margo Karsten, interviewed in the article, we aren’t ready to walk away. We aren’t THAT overwhelmed. But somewhere along the way, working so hard on something that largely serves others, you start to feel like you have lost yourself a little bit. I really enjoyed the reminders to find something that helps us get that piece back. You know, give that muscle a little workout in an entirely different way.
I haven’t decided on my Big Hobby yet, but I think, like Karsten, I need to try things I’ve always wanted to do but “haven’t had the time.” I am developing my list of things to try (and hopefully be okay with failing at). It’s time to make time.
We’ve read a lot since the pandemic on how pets can help with our mental health, but they can strain it as well: Laurel Thompson’s article on adopting a pet is an enlightening one and hits close to home for me. Josh and I adopted a coon hound (we named him Leonard) at the beginning of the year, and I certainly could have used a training manual—for him and us. He was overwhelmed, unused to being indoors, awkward and timid. Four months later he is still awkward, but so sweet and eager to please and loving and happy.
He also has personality traits that are challenging. Adoptions aren’t easy—we get Lennie in all his awkward glory, and he gets us with our chaotic schedules and less-than-stellar training habits. But when I think about that first week with him and where his is now, I can see how we both changed a little to suit each other, and it is a pretty beautiful thing.
So, wonderful humans, enjoy this magazine that encourages you to combat burnout with a hobby you can immerse yourself in (Beekeeping! Flower arranging!), find a new friend to adopt and so much more.
Until next month,
Angie Grenz
