Burnout: My 2021 Reality Check & Why Wellness Matters so Much to Me
In 2021, I hit a wall—one that came with more than just mental exhaustion; it showed up on my face as peri-oral dermatitis. Yes, you read that right. My skin, usually the last thing I’d worry about, started screaming at me in a way that was impossible to ignore. This was a rude awakening about how deeply wellness matters. Red, irritated patches all the way around my mouth, refusing to go away no matter how many creams or remedies I tried.
It was ironic, really. I was living my dream! We’d just bought our first home, and I was working for the federal government during a pivotal time, helping with disaster relief loan processing. I was part of something bigger than myself—continuity of operations and helping keep our nation afloat during unprecedented times. The sense of purpose was incredible. I remember thinking, This is truly an honor to serve and give back during a worldwide crisis!
But here’s the thing about dreams: sometimes they don’t look or feel quite like you expect.
As we were working under mandated 60-hour workweeks—yes, you read that right, 20 hours of overtime every week—my bank account was happy, but my body? Not so much. The stress, the endless hours in front of the computer, and the emotional toll of handling disaster relief cases began to build up. I felt it creeping in, but I didn’t stop. I kept pushing, convinced I could handle it. After all, I was doing something important, something that mattered.
And then my body pulled the emergency brake. It started with small flare-ups that I ignored, convincing myself it was nothing, just stress. But when my face became a roadmap of red patches, it was impossible to look away. Peri-oral dermatitis was not just a cosmetic issue; it was my body’s way of saying slow down, or else.
It took me a couple of months and an appointment with a Naturopathic provider to connect the dots. The pandemic lockdown didn’t help–doctor appointments (dermatology included) became a virtual thing. It was a humiliating and exhausting time. The nonstop work, the endless hours, and the responsibility of keeping operations going—it was all crashing down on me, literally showing up on my face. Burnout isn’t just mental! It’s physical, emotional, and deeply personal. It was my body’s way of forcing me to reevaluate how I was living, working, and most importantly, ignoring my own well-being.
It’s humbling to admit that even when you’re doing something you love, burnout can still hit you. Hard. The lessons I learned in those months of trying to heal my skin were more than just about skincare. They were about boundaries, self-care, and the importance of listening when your body says enough.
I don’t have all the answers, and I’m a work in progress. However, I am finding balance through empowering myself with an attainable wellness strategy. I’m sharing my story because burnout can hit anyone—even when you’re chasing your dreams. And it’s okay to pause, take a breath, and take care of yourself. Because if you don’t, your body might just hit the pause button for you.
Have you had any of those “ah-ha” moments or experiences relating to your wellness? Why do you feel wellness matters so much? I’d love to hear your thoughts and insights. Please leave a comment on the blog or send an email to me at kelli@klrparalegal.com