May Burnout

I've talked to several homeschool moms who have mentioned they all feel burnout. The kids are sluggish. The mom feels frazzled about what she didn't "get done". I see it in my house too. I even feel it a bit myself. We get to feeling like we need a rest! Summer just can't get here quick enough.

Personally, I think that is a pretty universal feeling in May. Our public education trained us to feel like May is the end of the educational year. Our bodies have stored that teaching way down into our subconscious. On that subconscious level, we begin to act out of instinct rather than pure thought process. We "feel" it more than we "think" it.

The question for me becomes...so what do I do about it? Some might argue it is just a case of the passing of the seasons. There is truth to that is some ways. But, could it also be that we have been trained to think that Summer is a time of play? And, the ending of Spring is the last of education and study until Fall?

Overcoming Late Spring Burnout

First and foremost, recognizing that we are facing a trained sensation deep down in our subconscious is HUGE!

Next, ponder a bit about why you feel burnout. Are you tense? Are you afraid you didn't do enough? Are you worried about your personal performance as a mentor? All of these things can tie into burnout. Or maybe you have been running on super charge and just need to slow down a bit. Either way, digging a little deeper into the "why" of your burnout will help you find solutions.

Then, get busy! Spring is a time for outdoor play, exploring, and renewing our love of nature. So, get outdoors! Explore! Shake off the burnout blues with a hike, field-trip, bike ride, even a simple trip to the park. The release of endorphin during outdoor play is a healthy alternative to "sticking it out" indoors. Plus, our bodies can most likely use the extra vitamins the sun gives.