Quiz: Are you reaching soul-level burnout?

Quiz Questions

• 1.
  How often do you feel disconnected from your inner voice or gut?

  • A.
    I can't remember the last time I felt connected to my inner voice.
  • B.
    Sometimes, it feels like I'm going through the motions.
  • C.
    Rarely, I generally feel in tune with my self and feel connected.
• 2.
  When you think about your vocation, how does it make you feel?

  • A.
    Overwhelmed and exhausted, feeling the pressure but feeling like I'm not meeting expectations--mine or others'.
  • B.
    I have my ups and downs. Some days are brighter than others.
  • C.
    Fulfilled and energized, it's what I'm meant to do.
• 3.
  You do your spiritual practice--prayer, meditation, reflection, retreat--but you don't feel connected. What do you do?

  • A.
    I seek guidance and find ways to replenish my spirit.
  • B.
    I feel stuck. It's getting harder to feel reconnected to my soul.
  • C.
    I try to push through, but it's a struggle.
• 4.
  Do you have a community or support system that understands your struggles?

  • A.
    Yes! I love my strong network that helps me stay grounded.
  • B.
    Somewhat, but I don't always feel heard or supported.
  • C.
    No, I don't really have anyone who really understands or who I feel safe talking to.
• 5.
  How often do you engage in self-care to nourish your resilience or well-being?

  • A.
    Occasionally, when I remember to prioritize it.
  • B.
    I don't really have self care that nourishes me.
  • C.
    Regularly, it's an essential part of my routine.
• 6.
  To what degree do you experience joy in your daily life?

  • A.
    I remember I once felt joy associated with my vocation--but that feels so distant now!
  • B.
    I find joy often, even in the small moments.
  • C.
    It comes and goes, but it's less frequent than I'd like.
• 7.
  How well do you feel you're coping with the pressures of your caregiving role?

  • A.
    I manage, but I could definitely use more support, or a retreat that would refresh my spirit.
  • B.
    Many days I do feel centered in my work, even if it's hard. I think I'm coping pretty well, considering.
  • C.
    My family and friends would say I'm probably not coping well. I'm doing the best I can!
• 8.
  What's your first reaction when facing someone who is overwhelmed?

  • A.
    I feel anxious for them, but try to ground myself and meet them where they are.
  • B.
    I want to run away--folks who have high needs these days I just don't have the bandwidth for.
  • C.
    It may be challenging, but I'm up for it as it is part of what I'm meant to do, and can use my resources to support them.
• 9.
  How connected do you feel to God/inner light/Source/Soul? (or whatever name you may have for the divine--all welcome here)

  • A.
    Only when I get away from my life--like on retreat, or visiting another place or location.
  • B.
    It's been tricky feeling connected, but I try. Most days though I just go through the motions.
  • C.
    Source feels as close as ever, and I feel entirely supported by my spiritual connection.
• 10.
  How do you feel about your future of your caregiving role?

  • A.
    Optimistic and excited for the growth ahead.
  • B.
    Uncertain-- I'm not sure I can sustain all the pressures that are upon me. People have so many demands and I'm not feeling like I can meet them.
  • C.
    Hopeful. I love what I do but I know I could use more support or ways to help me feel like this will be sustainable over time.

Quiz Outcomes

• 1.
  You're feeling Spiritually Burned Out

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  You're feeling drained and depleated, and your soul feels it too. Things feel heavy and difficult in your work and you're in need of extra resourcing these days to keep at it.Some action steps:1. Consider your support system. Who in your network *right now* is available to help you with lightening your load?2. Spiritual practices that feel empty are not doing you any favors. Find spaces in your life where you do feel connected and alive--drinking a latte in the morning sun, reading to your kiddo a bedtime, or chatting with an old friend on the phone. 3. If you are feeling as if you are not coping well more days than not, or others may be noticing this , it may be time to seek mental health treatment. Therapy and counseling can be wonderful options if you're feeling overhwlemed and need a safe space to reflect and heal. Check out Psychology Today or Inclusive Therapists, directories where you can find a provider perfect for you. And of course, if you're feeling helpless or hopeless, call 988--the 24 hour hotline--and you'll be connected to someone right away.Burnout is aboslutely treatable, take it from someone who knows! Yet because burnout is sytemic and doesn't get cured because we take one or two vacations or massages, we need intentional care to get back to feeling centered in our lives. There is absolutely ways to move out of feeling the way you do, and if you need support, reach out!
• 2.
  You're feeling Spiritually Dry

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  You are feeling a bit worn out at times and the pressures of your vocation can get to you. You are feeling as if retreats or sabbaths could be beneficial for you to nourish and help with sustainability of your call.1. Intentionally stop and breathe. When we reconnect to our breath, mindfulness research teaches us that we can reduce our stress load and improve our ability to reconnect to our spirituality. 2. Reduce your load. What can you offload, this week, to someone who is in your support network? What can you do to whittle down that to-do list? We often have things that are not necessary fill up our time and energy.3. Find a spiritual director or connect with a soul care companion who gets you. Our spiritual lives are essentail to our call. When you feel seen and heard, this will help not just nourish your spiritual center but also reconnect you with what matters most.When we are spiritually dry, this is our invitation to stop
• 3.
  You're feeling Spiritually Resilient

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  Though there are pressures in your call, you are feeling balanced and nourished by your supports and spiritual practices. You continue to use the people and things in your life that make you feel alive and connected.Ways you can maintain your resiliency:1. Seek regular spiritual direction-- continue to seek spaces where you can feel heard and seen beyond your call or role in the church2. Change up your spiritual routines. Find other ways to nourish wonder, awe, and connection--a class, a new book group, or even going to new places of worship to nurture you in different ways.3. Notice when you're feeling drained. Notice the times when you're feeling overwhelmed, and use your coping skills to nourish you back to your resiliencyBeing spiritually resilient is a group effort--not just yours! Make sure you continue to find systems and community that feels right for you.I'm Allie--resource guide for clergy and spiritual care providers to help reduce burnout and trauma and increase sustainability in call. You can find me at www.rootgrowthrive.com