I'm Burnt Out. (life update) - bankruptcy, back to school, coping with loss

Summary

The speaker shares their journey of going full-time back to university while managing a business and three kids. They discuss downsizing due to market changes and the challenges of balancing work and family life. Despite hardships, including business losses and the impact of COVID-19, they emphasize the importance of giving and volunteering as a way to find joy and community support during difficult times.

Takeaways

• 🎓 The speaker is going full-time back into University while managing a business and three kids.
• 🏠 They are downsizing their living situation, moving from a studio house and apartment to a simpler apartment due to the extra work and cost involved.
• 📉 The business has faced significant changes and losses in the market, especially after the onset of COVID-19.
• 🗺️ There were plans to move out of the country, with a house secured in the States, but these fell through, leading to a decision to stay in Canada.
• 😴 The speaker expresses a sense of exhaustion and being in a 'down mode' in life.
• 🤔 The community often asks how the speaker manages their responsibilities, to which there's no clear answer but acknowledges the reality of life's ups and downs.
• 👨‍👧‍👦 The speaker's children are at different ages, with the oldest being 10 and the youngest starting elementary school, indicating a change in family dynamics.
• 📚 Both the speaker and their partner, Michael, may return to full-time studies if job applications are not successful.
• 💰 The family's financial situation has fluctuated greatly, from having substantial savings to considering bankruptcy.
• 🌱 The speaker believes in the power of giving and volunteering during hard times, as it creates community and can help one's own situation.
• 🙏 From a faith perspective, the speaker and Michael are Christians who find solace and joy in helping those less fortunate, viewing it as a loan to God that is always repaid.

Q & A

What major life change is the speaker going through?

The speaker is going through the transition of going full-time back into University while managing three kids and trying to make their business work.

Why is the speaker considering downsizing their living situation?

The speaker is considering downsizing because they have two places they use for both work and home, which involves a lot of extra cleaning and costs. Additionally, the market has changed significantly since the pandemic.

What was the speaker's plan regarding moving out of the country?

The speaker had plans to move out of the country and even secured a house in the States, but everything fell through in the last couple of weeks, leading to the decision to stay within their country, Canada.

How does the speaker describe their current state of fatigue?

The speaker describes their fatigue by stating they are 'so tired' and that they are currently in a 'down mode' in life.

What is the speaker's strategy for managing their workload with three kids and a full-time job?

The speaker doesn't provide a specific strategy but implies that they are trying to take things slow and learn from their current situation, suggesting a need for balance and adaptation.

What is the speaker's educational background and current status?

The speaker has been enrolled in University for 11 years but has only completed half of their credits. They have two more years left to finish their studies.

How has the speaker's financial situation changed over the last few years?

The speaker's financial situation has fluctuated significantly, going from having savings and investments of 220,000 to considering bankruptcy due to large expenses and risks.

What is the speaker's approach to dealing with hardship?

The speaker believes in giving as a way to create community and find support during hardship. They have been volunteering and giving to charity, which has brought more joy into their lives.

What is the significance of the Old Navy saying mentioned by the speaker?

The Old Navy saying 'slowest steady steady is smooth, smooth is fast' signifies the importance of taking a slow and steady approach to achieve long-term success and stability.

What role does faith play in the speaker's life during difficult times?

Faith plays a significant role as the speaker and their partner are Christians who believe in giving to the less fortunate as a form of loan to God, which will be repaid, thus finding solace and purpose in helping others.

What is the speaker's view on the current economic situation?

The speaker acknowledges the signs of a potential recession, such as rising gas and grocery prices and interest rates, and refers to it as a 'recession core', indicating a period of economic downturn.