Healing Isn’t Linear (And That’s Okay)

Shift Ahead: Healing doesn’t follow a straight line. This chapter offers comfort and grace for the days that feel harder—and reminds you that progress can be gentle.

In Practice: Some weeks I feel strong—regulated, motivated, even creative. Other weeks I spiral, forget appointments, and hide in my room. I used to hate that inconsistency. I thought I was failing every time I had a setback. But over time, I started tracking my energy—not my to do list output. I saw patterns. I saw how rest brought me back faster, with less shame.

Healing wasn’t linear, but it was real. Even when I looped back to hard places, I was coming back with more awareness. More tools. More compassion. That’s when I stopped demanding perfection and started honoring my pace.

Some days you’ll feel better. Other days you’ll wonder if you’re back at square one.

That’s okay.

Burnout recovery isn’t a checklist—it’s a cycle. There will be days of progress, pause, and even relapse. The key is to keep choosing yourself. Keep returning to rest, again and again.

You are not failing. You’re just healing in your own way.

Shift Question: What would it feel like to meet yourself with grace—even on the hard days?

Shift Notes:

• Progress isn’t always visible.

• Resting is healing.

• You’re allowed to come back to yourself, again and again.

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Try This: Write yourself a note for the next time you feel like giving up. What do you want to remember about how far you’ve come?