I was driving across the Canada-US border into the US last Friday after work when my car ran out of gas and died in the middle of the lineup, two cars away from the border. I knew I was very low on gas but I expected there to be enough to get me past the border into the States, the Land of Cheaper Gas. I thought there would for sure be enough gas because mentally I’m still driving my first car, a Toyota Corolla, aka. the most fuel-efficient non-hybrid vehicle, ever. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to have your car literally stop running from a lack of fuel, the engine sort of sputters and shakes and dies with a big sigh along with your hopes and dreams.
I tried starting it a couple of times with no success then got out of my vehicle slowly and walked towards the border crossing booth. The border officers saw me walking towards them and start walking towards me as well. “My car ran out of gas” I said. “I’m really sorry to be blocking the lane.” I was taken in for questioning, watched my car get towed away, and have no idea when I’ll be able to enter the United States again. No, just kidding, that didn’t happen. The two officers that I talked to were extremely nice to me. They never once made me feel bad and cracked jokes to make me laugh the whole time. One of them said, “We’ll get in the car, and you push us okay?”.
They pushed my car while I steered until we crossed the border and reached a parking spot (still can’t believe my car literally got pushed across the border). Then I took a short walk to the nearest gas station, which unfortunately didn’t have any gas cans so I got a ride from two ladies to another gas station.
I wanted to go to the Chevron but they drove too far and took me to a different station. That’s where I saw someone I know who works at the shipping and receiving place I get my packages mailed to. “Rob!” I said, happy and relieved to see someone I know. Turned out he has a gas can that was at a friend’s house, so he drove to his friend’s house, picked it up, then drove me to my car. On the way there I told Rob that his truck smelled amazing, and he said, “It’s these air fresheners”, pointing to a stack of trees shaped air fresheners. Then he reached back, grabbed a brand new air freshener, and gave it to me. (Side note: my car smells really good right now)
We got to my car in no time, gave it enough gas to start, and then I was on my way, crisis solved, mood elevated, happy to start my weekend.
I think physical and emotional burnout is like a car running out of gas. Sometimes we try to work a little longer so that we can get where we want to go quicker. We don’t think about whether we can handle it because we’re overachievers and our culture glorifies long hours. Getting five hours of sleep somehow became the norm and going into the office on a Sunday meant you cared. It shouldn’t be that way, and our free time shouldn’t be so over-scheduled with commitments that we leave no time for ourselves to recharge. It’s so much easier to fill up when you still have something left than to let your tank run dry completely. Once that happens it takes a lot of time, effort, and help to get running again (been there, done that).
Take this weekend to get some hard, real, and intentional rest. Have fun, laugh a lot, or just have some alone time and do nothing for a while.
Have you or are you burning out in any areas of your life? How do you rest and recharge? Do you get 8 hours of sleep every night? (I try, but I’m not getting 8 hours a night yet). I’d love to know! Let’s chat in the comments!