Flow, Burnout + End of Year Reflections
HOW is it already almost Thanksgiving?! Maybe it comes from the bustle related to having school-aged kids, but the years just seem to be flying. This week, I was lucky enough to attend an aptly-timed JP Morgan networking event with Ash Beckham, which was centered around burnout and flow. Just before the holiday craziness begins, I learned some tips to reduce burnout and find flow in daily life. The discussion also allowed me to reflect on some healthy strategies that I've implemented this year.
Ash began the conversation explaining that she doesn't use the word 'balance' because that can feel unachievable in the modern world. Sure, it would be nice if we could balance work life and personal life, but today, our lives are more complicated. For some, working with spouses meant that their personal life and work life was blended. For others, there's just more hats involved. I can relate to that, with my time split differently each day between being a real estate agent, mom, spouse, non-profit board member, yogi, friend, etc. etc. Instead, Ash uses the word work/life 'flow'. Flow doesn't signal the need to equally balance all of your "hats"; rather, it focuses on finding time when you can focus, be your best self, and turn around good work.
We also discussed burnout, and the different signs we see and feel when burnout is encroaching. For me, it's going nuts over an un-tidy house. That's when I know I need a little break and reset. For others, it was disassociation, depression, anxiety or some form of rage. As we roll into the holiday season and reflect on the year, I took a moment to pause and think through how I want to show up in these last few weeks of 2024. The bustle of the holidays can be exciting, but to me, it's also chaos. I want to do all the things, provide all the moments of joy for my girls, make it to all the holiday parties, and then somehow also... rest?! It's a lot. So I'm going to do my best to take the pressure off, let the planning happen without so much stress, be grateful for ALL that we have, and enjoy the holiday magic through our kids' eyes.
The talk also allowed me to reflect on some of the healthy habits I've implemented this year to reduce burnout in my life. Yoga, for one, has been a life saver for my brain and body. This summer, I completed a 50-hour Yoga Immersion at Ohana on Tennyson. It was an amazing experience and taught me so much about the practice of yoga, meditation, breath work and paying attention to my body. Since then, I've implemented many of these self-care practices into my days and weeks (on a smaller scale, of course). As many of you know, this job does not have set hours, and boundaries can be challenging. But taking these mini breaks makes me a better agent, a better mom and a better spouse and is TOTALLY. WORTH. IT.
In line with that, I'm also excited to share that I've expanded my team and brought on an AMAZING new agent, Molly MacFarlane. Born and raised in a large, second-generation Colorado family, Molly has lived in many different neighborhoods and has valuable insights to share with our clients. We met years ago at Deny Designs, a Denver start-up, where we worked side-by-side on sales and marketing campaigns for major clients. Molly's organized, creative and detail-oriented approach complements my sales background and communication skills. I'm SO thrilled to have Molly on the team and to expand our capacity to all of our clients. I can't wait for you to meet her!
Market-wise, 2024 has been a wild ride and it's not over yet! If you need help navigating the market, understanding the value of your home, finding pros for a project, comparing interest rates, or discussing home design, please reach out! Or if you just want to grab a glass of wine and talk about burnout, I'm here for that too;)
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Experience Caitlin Clough's dedication and expertise in real estate. Caitlin brings unmatched negotiation skills, empathetic communication, and a deep understanding of Denver's neighborhoods to guide clients seamlessly through their home-buying or selling journey, making dreams come true one key at a time.
