The Tea On
The Story About Why I Developed the Burnout to Balance Toolkit—A Personal Reflection
Burnout was something I wore like a badge of honor. For years, I pushed through exhaustion, convinced that if I just worked harder, I could outrun the fatigue. I congratulated myself on my tenacity, on my ability to grind while others rested. It never occurred to me to stop—not really. Pausing felt like failure. But it wasn’t.
As I approached my breaking point, burnout began to seep into every aspect of my life. On the surface, I remained successful—speaking at events, coaching clients, developing new album projects. But beneath it all, the cracks were widening. My life felt increasingly like a walking façade. Joy was fading, replaced by fleeting glimpses of true inspiration. Each moment, whether at home or at work, felt like a chore. Every part of me felt crushed, and the passion that had once fueled me was slipping away, replaced by a hollow sense of obligation.
There was a chronic, ongoing dread that lingered. Sleep became something I envied in the peaceful face of my son. A cynicism began to take root, one that no amount of meditation could conquer. My heart would beat erratically, almost as if it was trying to remind me of something I refused to acknowledge. And yet, I continued to believe that I could wield my willpower to push through, to somehow will myself back to a better place—just as I always had.
As bad as things were, which led me to apply my Fearless Listening Methodology to myself, I had no idea of just how far off track I had drifted. It was only in the stillness that I truly saw the depths of the disconnect.
But I’ve come to understand that the reality of burnout doesn’t bend to willpower. My relentless drive eventually led to an inevitable breaking point—a moment when I could no longer ignore the cost. That was when I realized I needed a new way—a way that wasn’t about pushing but about aligning. This journey of realignment became the foundation for creating Happiness 360, a way to share resources that could help others do what I had long resisted: pause, reflect, and find a true, sustainable balance.
Throughout my life, I had admired traditions from cultures that took a holistic approach to well-being—traditions that seemed designed to prevent the very burnout I was experiencing. One such tradition, which had always captivated me, was Shinrin-Yoku—the Japanese practice of forest bathing. The idea that the stillness of the forest could calm the turmoil of the heart fascinated me, but I had never given myself permission to live by this wisdom. It was something beautiful to admire, not something I allowed into my driven lifestyle.
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The Burn Out to Balance Toolkit
68% of people feel they don’t get enough rest
According to Durham University
While developing the Burnout to Balance Toolkit, I remembered this tradition during a conversation with one of our journalists who had recently returned from Japan. She spoke of her experience walking through the forest, feeling the quiet embrace of nature. That night, I dreamed of a forest.
There was mist, shadows of trees, and the sound of my breath. The forest was vast, ancient, and it felt like it was watching me. I was barefoot, my steps slow, the earth beneath me both firm and giving. There was a presence beside me—an elder, though they had no face, just a feeling of deep wisdom. The air was heavy, and I felt both lost and found at once.
I remember the silence more than anything. It wasn’t empty; it was full—of everything I had pushed away, of everything I hadn’t allowed myself to hear. And in that silence, something inside me began to unravel. It wasn’t about finding answers, but about feeling the questions I had buried beneath my relentless striving.
The next morning, as I sat down to write, the dream lingered. The impression of that forest—the stillness, the presence of something greater than myself—guided me. It was clear that rejuvenation wasn’t just about resting; it was about returning to a part of myself that I had neglected. It was about listening to the quiet, about making space for what truly mattered.
This dream, sparked by a conversation about Shinrin-Yoku, became a powerful symbol of what I had been missing. Rejuvenation, as I now define it, is not simply about stepping back or taking a break. It’s about creating space to realign, to hear what has been lost in the clamor of constant striving. The Burnout to Balance Toolkit is designed to help others experience this—to find their way back to a place of balance and alignment, to pause, reflect, and truly reignite their inner spark.
The journey from burnout to balance isn’t a straight line. It’s unexpected, even unavoidable, when you’ve pushed yourself for too long. But it’s also an opportunity—to not only recover but to redefine what true success means. To find strength not just in persistence, but in wisdom, rest, and alignment. And maybe, in moments of stillness, we can all find our way back to ourselves. And once we establish some balance, we can continue on an ongoing basis to ward off burnout, which is ever on the periphery of the high achiever’s journey.
— Traciana Graves, Founder of Happiness 360
The Pour
When to Seek Rejuvenation Through Shinrin-Yoku
According to Durham University, 68% of people feel they don’t get enough rest. This statistic resonates with many of us who are constantly pushing ourselves without prioritizing true rejuvenation. Rejuvenation isn’t just about sleeping in or treating ourselves to a spa day—it’s about listening to our bodies and minds, finding alignment, and becoming the best version of ourselves.
Shinrin-Yoku is often recommended during times of emotional exhaustion, burnout, or major life transitions. In Japan, it serves as a restorative practice for those feeling disconnected, overwhelmed, or stressed. The beauty of this tradition is that it doesn’t require a grand effort—just the willingness to pause and immerse oneself in nature, even if it’s a quiet moment in a local park.
If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by the pace of life, now might be the time to seek rejuvenation. Whether you can visit a forest or find peace in your backyard, the key is to create space for stillness and reflection.
As the Japanese proverb goes, “森の静けさは、心の乱れを鎮める。” which means, “The stillness of the forest calms the turmoil of the heart.” This saying perfectly encapsulates the essence of Shinrin-Yoku—the power of nature to restore peace and balance within us.
Join our Burnout to Balance Event Series, where we explore practices like Shinrin-Yoku and other tools that promote rejuvenation. These events are designed to help you recharge, realign, and regain your inner spark.
How to Overcome Burnout & Reignite Your Spark
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The Brew On
Our Definition of Rejuvenation and Why It Is Essential for Overcoming Burnout
True rejuvenation isn’t just about resting—it’s about realigning with yourself on a deeper level. This is why we developed the Burnout to Balance Toolkit, available in both English and French. It provides high achievers like you with actionable steps to restore balance and reignite your passion.
Rejuvenation can be found in everyday moments—a deep breath, a walk in nature, or a cup of tea. These simple acts allow us to reconnect with our deeper selves, offering clarity and energy. By prioritizing these moments, you’ll enhance your mental clarity, emotional resilience, and ability to handle life’s challenges.
Download our free Burnout to Balance Toolkit today and start your journey toward lasting rejuvenation. The toolkit is also available in French for our global community.
The Tea Leaves On
Rejuvenating & Reigniting: Why It Matters
Without embracing rejuvenation, burnout is inevitable. High achievers often push themselves beyond their limits, but true alignment can only happen when we allow ourselves the space to recharge.
As my dream reminded me, rejuvenation is not just about rest—it’s about renewal. Taking time to realign allows us to return to our work, our families, and our passions with clarity and enthusiasm. Here’s why embracing rejuvenation is so important:
- Mental clarity: A rested mind sees challenges from new perspectives, offering creative solutions.
- Stronger relationships: Rejuvenation gives you the space to be fully present with loved ones, fostering deeper, more meaningful connections.
- Reignited passion: When we take time to recharge, we return to our professional and personal lives with renewed energy and focus.
At Happiness 360, we believe that real success is built on the foundation of balance and rejuvenation. That’s why we’ve created the Burnout to Balance Toolkit and our Event Series—to help you cultivate the rejuvenation needed to thrive in every area of your life.
Additional Resources
Ready to start embracing rejuvenation in every area of your life?
- Sign up for our Burnout to Balance Event Series to learn tools for overcoming burnout and rediscovering your inner spark.
- Download our free Burnout to Balance Toolkit, available in both English and French, to support your journey to alignment and well-being.
- Join our free community to connect with like-minded high achievers who are mastering balance and renewal.
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