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A few years ago, I was spiritually burnt out.
Although I wasn’t sure how to cope with it, I slowly came to realize that it was extremely common and normal.
I ignored the signs and forced myself into practices that no longer felt right. It took me a long time to get back on track and understand what had happened.
Sadly, we don’t fully grasp the meaning and purpose of spiritual burnout when we’re in the middle of it. Regardless of how deeply spiritual we think we are or how grounded our spiritual practice may be, spiritual burnout can happen anywhere at any time.
Just like our bodies get exhausted from doing too much work, our souls also get exhausted from too much thinking and feeling.
Although we are spiritual beings having a daily, nonstop spiritual experience, there is no shame in feeling overwhelmed or wanting to take a break from it all. That’s why it’s important to recognize the signs since our spiritual burnout is trying to tell us something.
My own spiritual burnout has transformed my practice forever. It has changed my perspective on spiritual progress and guided me into a new dimension where there is no right or wrong, good or bad.
That said, listen to what your soul is trying to tell you.
If any of the below signs ring a bell, it means you’re on the edge of a spiritual burnout and something needs to change as soon as possible.
1. You can’t commit to your spiritual practice.
No matter what your practice may look like, deep inside you feel it’s no longer beneficial or necessary. You force yourself to meditate, do yoga, pray, attend a spiritual service, repeat a mantra, or connect with nature.
2. You fall into old, destructive habits—again.
When you’re spiritually exhausted, you might find yourself saying, doing, or reacting in ways that were once unhealthy and harmful. Anger, self-criticism, violence, depression, and anxiety are all examples of what you may be battling within.
3. You’re unhappy.
Something feels out of order. You can’t put your finger on what has gone wrong, but you wake up every day with a heavy heart and a strong sense of helplessness. You can’t let it go, you can’t “not think about it,” and you can’t breathe it away.
4. You blame yourself.
If you’re spiritually burnt out, chances are you might not be practicing, feeling, or thinking right. You’re struggling to incorporate what you know as true into your daily life. As a result, you might blame yourself for not being spiritually genuine.
5. You’re easily triggered.
People and outer events have a quick, long-lasting impact on your emotional state. They might even influence your behavior and leave you feeling out of whack. You might as well hurt others in the process even though it does not align with your spiritual values.
6. You find yourself in a major existential crisis.
All of a sudden you might feel that nothing makes sense anymore. You can’t find meaning in life and you constantly feel lost, alone, misunderstood, and rejected. You’ve simply lost all hope.
7. You’re scared.
You want to take a break. You want to try a different spiritual practice. You want to question your beliefs and ideas, but…fear is eating you up inside. You can’t find the courage to defy your fears or destructive thoughts.
Although spiritual burnout is tough, we can overcome it with determination and openness. It’s here to challenge our thinking and make us examine our fears and worries.
It may be time to check in with ourselves and find what works best for us. Doubting ourselves doesn’t mean we’ve failed at spirituality. It just means that we may need to experiment with different ways and practices and choose what aligns with our soul while keeping an open heart and mind.
Remember that we only grow tired when we’re on the verge of breaking. And sometimes we must break in order to heal.
~
AUTHOR: ELYANE YOUSSEF
IMAGE: KHÔI CHÂU/PEXELS
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