So. Updates.

I have had a lot of rest, bodily and mentally. I'm at a good "stopping point" and am now beginning to sort out what to do next.

Still fried. Like fucking fried. Have a lot of thoughts on burnout. May write about that, but too burned out to write about burnout.

But I went to my team and management and work put me on the bench for a bit. Fully paid and working on non-client projects.

But that can only last so long.

A consultant that doesn't pull in more than they get paid has no desk.

So I'm currently taking some unpaid time off.

I saved up enough for a month or two and I'm leaning heavily on loved ones (as they have leaned heavily on me in the past. It's a good back and worth).

Next steps are sorting out:
- Can I go back to work doing what I did before
- - - If so, how do I prevent burnout from happening again?
- - - Is it sustainable
- If I can't go back to old job, what do I do moving forward?
- - - Move from consulting to inside job?

Do I change industry to keep things interesting?

I like the idea... but retooling right now, when I'm just getting my legs underneath me is daunting.

I don't think I have the energy at this point.

I have a lot of experience and knowledge that I can rest on right now, at least for a period of time.

How can I use that?

Not sure. Something to consider.

One thing is for certain.

I can't keep doing the "How can I add another income stream and monetize every single action of my life" mentality.

That's burnout culture.

That's the path to a quick death.

Literally.

I need a new mindset.

That said.

To be very clear: I am in a good place right now. And am ready to figure out what to do next.

I'm very optimistic.