EP 114: Why Bother? Navigating Burnout and Rediscovering Purpose with Jennifer Louden

The Unburdened Leader

When was the last time you said, “Why bother?”

When overwhelm, exhaustion, burnout, and the weight of responsibility set in, it's easy to become cynical and ask, "What's the point?"

Cynicism can be a defense mechanism, shielding us from difficult emotions or experiences, but it also traps us in survival mode, limiting our ability to see new possibilities or paths forward.

Constantly being in fight-or-flight mode makes it difficult to think long-term and to rest and reset as needed.

Today, we're exploring what, "Why bother?" really indicates for leaders. It serves as a sign of exhaustion, an overactive nervous system, or even reactivated trauma. Our guest encourages us to transform "Why bother?" from a stuck and cynical question into a productive inquiry that directs us towards what truly matters.

Jennifer Louden invites us to flip the script on “Why bother?” from cynical and stuck to a generative question to lead you toward what really matters to you.

Jennifer has been involved in the self-care movement for years. She authored the bestseller, The Woman’s Comfort Book in 1992 and has since written numerous books on well-being and creative living, including The Woman’s Retreat Book and Why Bother? She enjoys coaching writers and is currently working on a fantasy novel where older women use their power to buy humanity time from the climate crisis.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• Why the “why bother” stage is a normal part of life, and how it presents an opportunity to reset
• How holding too tightly to an identity can keep us from seeing possibilities for change
• How exiling and not claiming what we want leads to “why bother”
• How taking action on the things that matter to us cultivates hope
• How accepting that some things in life are not fixable can liberate us to step into new possibilities
• How to begin cultivating a relationship with your desires

Learn more about Jennifer Louden:

• Website
• It's Not Too Late

Learn more about Rebecca:

• rebeccaching.com
• Work With Rebecca
• Sign up for the weekly Unburdened Leader Email

Resources:

• War and Peace, Leo Tolstoy
• For All Mankind
• Wicked Little Letters
• The Mary Tyler Moore Show