Tech burnout recovery - What's working (and what isn't)

It's been 7 months since I realised I was officially burnt out. Here's what's been going well and what hasn't been going well for me as I work on recovering.
For the full story, please watch my first burnout video: An honest chat about burnout in tech • An honest chat about b...
I genuinely enjoyed making this video! I've filmed and scrapped several vlogs over the past few months because I just couldn't gather the energy and excitement to edit them. But with this video I had a clear idea of what I wanted to tell you about and where I wanted to be when I told you about each point and it was fun bringing it all together 🥰 Thanks again for all of your support.
Please remember to click subscribe if you'd like to see more of my videos.
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// ABOUT ME
I'm Charli and I'm designer from New Zealand currently living in Valencia, Spain. I’m the Creative Director at a remote tech company called ConvertKit and I post videos about the design projects I work on and the tools I use, as well as vlogs of my life as a designer. I regularly livestream what I'm working on in Coworking Club streams. Welcome to the channel! Please subscribe and say hi in the comments, and maybe we'll see you in the live chat on the next stream.
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// MORE
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// TECH & TOOLS
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[@femkedesign]

Your vulnerability on here is such an inspiration ❤

[@charlimarieTV]

shucks 🥰

[@flybyniko]

So happy to see you’re doing better! Something that’s worked for me is to “follow the energy”. Do I feel energized or excited to work on something? Then it’s a yes. Not? Then it’s a no, at least no for now. All the best!

[@charlimarieTV]

exactly what I'm doing! This video exists cos my energy wanted to flow there this month. 🙌 it's a good rule

[@knorman717]

It’s truly so hard to grow a side business while working a full-time job. I’m glad you’re putting less pressure on yourself! I can totally relate to those difficult feelings around not being able to (or having the energy to) devote as much time to your side business. We can only do so much as humans, and when we look back on our lives, we’ll definitely be thinking more about the people and connections we made in life. So, well done on refocusing on connecting with others and taking care of your mental health!

[@charlimarieTV]

Honestly I wish I could live two lifetimes the amount of things I want to do 🥲 I know this is a 'slow down now to speed up later' type of moment though so I'm leaning into it.

[@user-oz7gc9bi7w]

Thank you so much for some very real content. I'm feeling burnt out in my career in a different way, and maybe just life in general, and its easy to feel left behind and like everyone else is shining and living their best lives. I feel inadequate because my side business (which started as a hobby and a passion project) wasn't growing how I'd hoped and it was hard to find the time to do it, then I started to dread it because I had tied a lot of self worth to its success. Thank you for the reminder to 'show up for ourselves' and work to create a better balance. I have also been investing in friendships, exercise for mental and physical health, and i'm still working on my feelings of guilt for spending time on other hobbies I enjoy because it's 'wasting time'.

[@marie_design_photo]

Such an incredible and relatable video thank you for sharing. ❤ I recently also came to the realization of niching down and that I don’t have to do it all. Honestly I don’t have the energy I had in my 20s to have a full time job and multiple side projects. 😅 The hobbies outside of a screen are amazing. I would love to learn to sew! I learnt how to crochet last year and it was such a challenge to be a beginner again but it was so rewarding once I got it right!

[@mariateresastella8526]

Thank you for getting so vulnerable with us! As a fellow designer starting a side business (and occasionally sewing clothes!), the struggle is real. Haven't published a newsletter post in a while 🙊, too many things going on! Prioritizing mental health, physical health and sleep does wonders.

[@charlimarieTV]

agreed. Those basic foundations are so important

[@lexjustlivin]

Love this video style and topic Charli. It's truly a lot to balance a full time job and a business. I'm glad you're prioritizing more ruthlessly.

[@DesignGal]

So proud of your growth and progress through this challenging time! I can definitely relate. Follow your creative energy where it leads you, when it leads you, if it leads you. 💕

[@charlimarieTV]

love the when and if parts of that statement especially! thank you Christine ❤️

[@AM-gf1qt]

The dresses are gorgeous! Glad you found a healthy creative outlet!

[@jerkerstigsson1]

You are a very sincere and honest person. It comes through in a beautiful way. And have a lot of professional things to share. That mix makes us all to listen to you. We love you!

[@charlimarieTV]

thank you!

[@thejasonresnick]

Appreciate you sharing Charli. And very relevant in many ways for me right now. Glad to hear about the things that are working. And instead of "not working" as a phrase, I've been using "in progress." Which has helped me in a way of shifting the mindset in a positive direction.

[@charlimarieTV]

I really like this shift! I'll try to remember that

[@SophiaVUX]

❤❤❤! This most beautiful part I think is that you are trusting your flow of energy and only creating (and editing!) content when it FEELS RIGHT. would love to hear more about “just assigning outcomes” and unhooking from your teams process and the details. Asking for a friend! Lots of love to you lady! Great video.

[@sofiawidholm7318]

Nice to see you again Charli! Recovery is the most important thing to focus on. No need to hurry!

[@charlimarieTV]

I really appreciate that!

[@billjones6219]

Good to have you back!

[@charlimarieTV]

it felt great to make this video!

[@billjones6219]

@@charlimarieTV ❤

[@allanah5990]

Burnout is so difficult! Glad to hear you are doing better! ☺️

[@SAyres-xw8eu]

Go for it, Charlie!! Happy that you are taking care of mental and physical health (daily exercise or any kind of move/walk is sooo important as a healthy habit!) and excited for you that you've found creativity through sewing : ) Loving the dresses btw. All the best, you got this girl! * * * * *

[@osaroadade]

Hey Charli! I am very excited that you're deciding to take things very slowly. I believe that's very important. I have grown to love and appreciate your thoughts in the design space and I don't mind (and like you said, I believe I speak for others here) waiting a longer time, and even more to hear your thoughts or content. As someone who's had to deal with something similar, I am very happy that you're taking time out to prioritise your health and other parts of your life that isn't work. Happy to see that you're finding joy in sewing, for me it was going out to run every morning. Great to see that you're taking things slowly, catching your breath and walking and working at the pace that's good for you now. Keep winning Charli! 🎉 Cheers!

[@charlimarieTV]

your support means the world Osaro!

[@MarivoneAraujo]

Hey, Charlie. Good to know you are ok. I have been away from everything and focusing on work and my kids so I didn't see your last video. You are fenomenal, Charli!

[@charlimarieTV]

thank you Marivone! Hope all is well with you ❤️

[@MarivoneAraujo]

@@charlimarieTV thanks! you too!

[@hannahfoxdesign]

Your candid videos are so refreshing and helpful thank you Charli!

[@charlimarieTV]

thanks for watching ❤️

[@MeetKevon]

Always here catching up with you no matter how infrequent these videos are :)!

[@charlimarieTV]

thank you! that means a lot :)

[@SachaDoesPortuguese]

The sewing is so cool! Have you been taking any classes or is it all self-taught? It's something I've always been curious to dip my toes into

[@GeorgiaCyr]

Loved the editing cam, and this whole video. I'm so happy you've found motivation and enjoyment around creativity again through your sewing!

[@mansolomd]

Thank you for another honest video. More good vibes to you as you make it out of very common burnout. Congrats on the daily physical activity.

[@charlimarieTV]

thank you!

[@maralbiol565]

You’re amazing Charli❤

[@corydhmiller]

Thank you for your wonderful honesty 💙

[@charlimarieTV]

Thank you for being such a great friend (and wonderfully reliable member of the Brand Studio team!)

[@monicabca]

Thank you for sharing! All the good vibes to you!

[@charlimarieTV]

thanks!

[@sky.thehyphn]

More power to you Charlie!

[@MeghanCreative]

Give me all the sewing content! I know that's not what your channel is about but I'd love to see how it's done.

[@charlimarieTV]

haha it's been soooo tempting to start a sewing channel! But I'll stick to sharing progress on instagram stories :)

[@raphaelnweke1901]

I just wanted to know, will the name change lead to a total brand overhaul?

[@ianferguson6616]

Towards the end of your video you mentioned working with a mentor to help grow. How did you find them? I am the only creative person in my team and so I can't have my boss help with creative development and since covid the design community has shrank in my area but I am hungering that collaboration and development with a fellow creative. Much thanks!

[@charlimarieTV]

Hmm could you share a timestamp? I haven't been working with any external mentors recently, so perhaps you're thinking of a point where I was talking about changes my manager has made to our team? Sorry if I misled you! and sorry to hear you're struggling with this, please know you're not alone. So many designers are working as the only creative on their team. I would encourage you to try connect in online design communities if your local area has dried up ❤️

[@ankitchaturvedi7298]

I am the first one❤

[@charlimarieTV]

🏆

[@NicholasLeone]

Hey Charli! Love what you're doing! Would you ever be interested in a sponsored partnership?