Are You a Social Media Burnout? Prevent it!

It’s ok to say it out loud, it’s ok to feel this way, it’s ok to NOT be ok.

You’re feeling burnt out, and social media has played a big role in your current state of unravel.

So, let’s get it out in the open Wellness Entrepreneur and have a good ‘ol chin wag about it.

Social Media Burnout… it’s a thing.

When you’re experiencing “it” – you often aren’t able to function well on most levels, personally or professionally. But, this kind of “burnout” doesn’t just happen overnight either.

It can be likened more to a soft, fluffy marshmallow catching on fire, then sl-o-o-o-w-ly melting off the roasting stick.

However, there are definitely physical, mental & emotional signs, and if you know what to look for, you can get a handle on it before the melting marshmallow drips into the fire!

Signs that you’re a Social Media Burnout

• The near-obsessive need to constantly check your phone or computer
• You actually decline other activities… because of FOMOO = “fear of missing out online”
• Anxiety and/or irritation when you’re not working – because all you can think about is working!
• Trouble sleeping because the squeaking of that hamster on the wheel reminds you of that “thing” you forgot to do on your socials
• You’re paralyzed by comparisonitis — constantly comparing yourself to your peers and other people who appear to be just “killin’ it” online

(BTW, just because someone has a big following on socials does NOT mean they are successful in their business, and vice versa! Appearances can be very deceiving!!)

Other surefire ways to identify that you may be burnt-out, in general:

–> Physically and emotionally exhausted (like all the time!)

–> Decreased immunity (you catch every little thing that’s going around)

–> Feeling detached and generally lacking enthusiasm or motivation for things you once enjoyed (like working on your business!)

–> Trouble concentrating on tasks and short-term memory loss on top of “brain fog”

–> Strained relationships with friends, family members, and spouse

–> Feeling unaccomplished or unsuccessful – like it’s never going to “happen” for you.

FYI — Here’s what happened to me when I spent nearly a year in a state of complete exhaustion – when my adrenal function tanked. I experienced every single one of those symptoms – and many more!

READ: Krista’s Story ~ Healing from Adrenal Fatigue

Have you ever stopped to ask yourself:

What am I even doing on social media? Do I have a strategy that makes sense for my type of business? Is it making a difference in my business?

If your answer is somewhere along the lines of, “I’m trying to be everywhere on social media and do all. the. things. because everyone else is doing it” (or some business guru told you to be) AND you find that social media is a total brain-drain for you…

Then it’s the perfect time to step back and evaluate the role social media plays, and how you’ve chosen to go about it.

It's ok to take a step back, re-evaluate and find a better way of doing things based on what works best for YOU, your schedule, and your business - not what works for someone else and their business. Click To Tweet

Also, taking a break from social media doesn’t mean you don’t care about your business! It just means you know your limits, and you’re looking out for #1 = YOU!

(Hey there self-care, where ya been all my life?!)

If you — and your physical, mental & emotional health, aren’t your top priority, it’s going to be damn near impossible to accomplish much else with any level of competence and feeling of reward or success.

So, I propose less hustlin’, less grindin’, and way more thriving!

Here are some things that I’ve done to go from a total Social Media Burnout to a Non-toxic Thriver…

How to Prevent Becoming a Social Media Burnout

• Get organized, get scheduled, and get automated.
  • I now use an editorial calendar and the free version of the Planoly app to schedule out all of my social media content. It’s been really been game-changing since I finally got all my shit scheduled out!
• Just one platform.
  • No, you don’t need to be everywhere all the time. I know it feels like you should (and you’ve probably been told that you should), but nothing will burn you out faster than feeling the “be everywhere” pressure!
  • Dedicating your social media time budget & energy to just one targeted platform (where you know your audience is hanging out) can be the equivalent or better return for you than diluting yourself across ALL the channels.
• Take breaks often.
  • Just because you take a break from socials (or digital life altogether for a time) does NOT mean you don’t care about your business! It just means you’re placing the focus squarely on what really matters = YOU. This will, in turn, benefit your business in the long run.
• Be a-social.
  • There are plenty of other ways to stay relevant and in touch with your audience so they can feel nurtured and engaged with… that aren’t on socials!
    • Your website content
    • Webinars, webcasts, podcasts, your blogs (written, audio & video)
    • Guest blogging
    • In-person talks (self-hosted or as a guest speaker)
    • Email/newsletters

By the way, these are the exact things that I focused on 5 years ago when I was building my women’s nutrition consulting business because social media simply wasn’t so frenetic back then!

Plus, I felt especially resistant to getting on board with any of it at the time, whereas many of my colleagues were eagerly embracing it, and I wanted to stand my ground.

(Kind of like the newborn parent who’s adamant their child will never be allowed to use a device until they’re a teenager. LOL!!)

In what ways are you approaching your content marketing & socials more holistically?

Are you done with the ‘hustle – and the ‘grind’ too? Want to avoid burnout – again?

Let’s continue finding better ways, together… and more holistically!

Here’s another related resource you may find useful so you can get clear & focused on what matters most in your business = YOU.

The Holistic Marketing & Branding Strategy You Should Be Doing