# Burnout Recovery 😌 | Healing Through Self-Discovery 🧭 (Recalibrating #2)  ## Introduction and Callum's Recalibrating Experiment - The author, Callum, also known as Waterloots, is documenting his journey of recovery from burnout and self-discovery through a [[YouTube]] series called "Recalibrating" [(00:00:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=31s). - Callum had quit his job as a lawyer and patent agent 20 weeks prior to the video, expecting to recover from burnout in a couple of weeks, but it took him 20 weeks to start feeling better [(00:00:10)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=10s). - He realized that he has multiple aspects of himself, including the artist, philosopher, reader, writer, friend, family member, and partner, and it's impossible to separate himself into little containers [(00:01:33)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=93s). - Callum found that his job was forcing him to behave in a compact manner, which didn't align with his true value, and he decided to leave his job to start the "Recalibrating Experiment" [(00:02:28)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=148s). - Through this experiment, he is exploring what it means to be human, recover from burnout, and recalibrate his perception of himself, as well as how he wants others to perceive him [(00:02:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=159s). - Callum started by writing a newsletter, where he is exploring what it means to self-actualize and be the best version of himself [(00:02:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=172s). - He realized that he needed to change and get out of the corporate box he had put himself in, allowing his creativity to come into play and improve his performance, happiness, and balance in life [(00:03:03)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=183s). - Callum's goal is to restructure his life to allow him to continue exploring and pursuing his passions without feeling restricted [(00:03:42)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=222s). ## The Changing World and Personal Experiment - The current state of the world has changed the way value is transferred and packaged, and holding on to past methods will hinder humanity's development as a species [(00:04:10)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=250s). - The approach to human development has been logic-based, treating humans like machines, rather than incorporating creativity and the human experience [(00:04:22)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=262s). - A personal experiment called "recalibrating" was started 20 weeks ago, which involved leaving voice notes, or "Vibe checks," to track mental space and progress [(00:04:41)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=281s). - At the start of the experiment, physical health was a focus, with activities like yoga, mindfulness, and journaling being prioritized [(00:05:14)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=314s). - Initially, it was expected that recovery from burnout would take a couple of weeks, but it has taken 20 weeks to regain a sense of natural self-expression [(00:05:36)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=336s). ## The Video Series and Continuity of Self - The purpose of the video series is to practice speaking to the camera and learning how to express oneself naturally, while also considering the concept of speaking to one's future self [(00:05:59)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=359s). - The idea of the continuity of self is discussed, which involves bringing forward one's sense of self each day to build upon past experiences and gain awareness of one's identity [(00:07:04)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=424s). - The expectations of others in a corporate job can fracture one's sense of self, making it difficult to maintain continuity and a sense of identity [(00:07:21)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=441s). - The speaker, Callum, has been using a mindfulness app called Waking Up, which features talks on topics like procrastination and the continuity of self [(00:06:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=409s). - To recover from burnout, it's essential to realign personal values with the value of the work being done, as a misalignment can cause exhaustion and a sense of fracturing one's continuity of self [(00:07:30)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=450s). ## The Recalibrating Experiment and Mindfulness - The goal of the recalibrating experiment is to research what it means to realign oneself, self-actualize, and build on past experiences and knowledge to create a path of wisdom that leads forward into the future [(00:07:58)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=478s). - Mindfulness is a helpful tool in this process, and practices such as meditation and journaling can aid in self-reflection and building awareness of oneself [(00:08:19)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=499s). ## Self-Actualization and Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs - Self-actualization is the main topic of discussion in the newsletter, which breaks down [[Maslow's hierarchy of needs | Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs]] into levels, from survival instincts to reaching maximum potential [(00:08:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=527s). - Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs closely maps to the Burnout Recovery Pyramid, which gauges the level at which to start the recovery process based on the level of burnout [(00:09:10)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=550s). ## Mindfulness, Goals, and Personal Growth - Practicing mindfulness regularly allows for a clear vision of actual goals and helps identify the goals one wants to have in life through self-reflection and awareness [(00:09:51)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=591s). - The point of setting goals is not to hit the goal and stop, but to build a habit system, structure, and creative act of oneself, allowing for personal growth and improvement [(00:10:22)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=622s). - There is no exact version of oneself, but rather a constant mixture of different versions, and learning to pay attention to which version is coming out in each moment can improve one's ability to respond to circumstances [(00:10:48)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=648s). ## Avoiding Burnout and Tuning in to Oneself - To avoid burnout, it's essential to find ways to engage in activities without draining one's energy, and this can be achieved by tuning in to oneself and the world at large, as discussed in Rick Rubin's book "The Creative Act" [(00:11:15)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=675s). - Tuning in to oneself involves understanding one's thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, and recognizing patterns, such as becoming interested in a particular topic for a certain period, like a wave, but then losing that interest over time [(00:11:48)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=708s). - This process of self-discovery can help individuals understand their values, intuition, and instincts, which are built on past experiences and can guide future decisions [(00:13:15)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=795s). ## Humanity, Individuality, and the Concept of "Gal" - In today's world, especially with the rise of artificial intelligence, understanding one's humanity and individuality is becoming increasingly important [(00:12:58)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=778s). - The concept of "gal" in psychology, which refers to the synergy of different aspects of oneself, highlights the importance of recognizing that individuals are more than just one specific aspect of themselves [(00:13:46)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=826s). ## Re-evaluating Value in an AI World - Trying to fit into a narrow definition of oneself can lead to misalignment of values, burnout, imposter syndrome, anxiety, and overthinking [(00:14:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=849s). - In a world disrupted by artificial intelligence, individuals need to reevaluate their value to themselves and the world, and consider how they can create and share value in a way that is authentic and meaningful [(00:14:32)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=872s). - The knowledge economy is based on creating something out of nothing, and individuals need to recognize their role as creators and find ways to generate income that aligns with their values and passions [(00:14:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=889s). ## The Knowledge Economy and Creation - Separating logic from creativity and knowledge from creativity is not always necessary, as they can work together to generate new forms of value and intellectual property [(00:15:04)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=904s). - In the corporate world, creation is done through emails, contracts, patents, and other documents, where ideas are taken from the mind and turned into something tangible [(00:15:29)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=929s). - The creator economy and the knowledge economy are overlapping, with the goal of shortening the time between coming up with an idea, generating value, and executing on that value [(00:15:58)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=958s). ## Personal Branding and AI's Impact - Most people are already building a personal brand and generating intellectual property in their corporate jobs, similar to content creators on the internet [(00:16:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=991s). - Artificial intelligence is expected to shorten the distance between idea and execution, reducing effort, increasing quality, and removing friction in publishing content [(00:16:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=1007s). ## Adapting to an AI World and Idea Generation - To adapt to an artificially intelligent world, people should focus on the idea and practice distilling it down to its core essence, which can be done through journaling and identifying personal goals [(00:17:40)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=1060s). - Practicing idea generation on the side can help build continuity from day to day and work towards personal goals, step by step, recalibrating along the way [(00:18:22)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=1102s). - As you build out your ideas, you'll begin to remember what you want, and you'll start making connections over time by linking your thinking, ideas, problems, and solutions, leading to growth and self-discovery [(00:19:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=1151s). ## Building Ideas and Discovering Value - Throughout this process, you'll realize what you truly value, and the ability to express that value will become the most valuable thing you can do [(00:19:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=1177s). - Identifying how to express your knowledge, information, and experiences in a way that others value is crucial, and this is achieved by discovering your unique voice [(00:19:48)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=1188s). - Finding your voice involves focusing on what makes you happy and excited, and what you deem valuable, through consistent and intuitive practices [(00:20:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=1207s). ## Finding and Developing Your Voice - Developing your voice is a challenging experience that requires learning by doing, and it's essential to consider not only what you want to say but also how you want to say it [(00:20:35)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=1235s). - Reading books, listening to podcasts, and taking in information from various sources can help you generate knowledge and build on it over time to create value for others [(00:20:57)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=1257s). - As you generate a continuity of self, you'll be able to turn knowledge into wisdom, allowing you to learn from past experiences and apply them to future situations [(00:21:17)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=1277s). ## Voice, Art, and Storytelling - The concept of voice is a primary means of communication, but art is also a powerful form of non-verbal communication that allows people to interpret and extract value from it in their own way [(00:21:40)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=1300s). - Art enables people to empathize with others across languages and cultures, and it can be a valuable tool for self-expression and connection [(00:22:10)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=1330s). - Humans have been using storytelling to convey information, share value, and ensure the survival of the species since ancient times, with stories serving as a way to pass on valuable information and lessons learned from past experiences [(00:22:18)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=1338s). ## The Fear of the Unknown and the Hero's Journey - The fear of the unknown is a fundamental human fear that can cause anxiety, but becoming comfortable with change and existing in the unknown can make it easier to navigate the future [(00:23:08)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=1388s). - The concept of the hero's journey, framed by [[Joseph Campbell]], is a storytelling structure that involves a hero who embarks on a journey from the known world to the unknown, faces trials, and returns with newfound knowledge and value to share with others [(00:23:56)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=1436s). - The hero's journey is a classic way of exploring, generating value, and conveying that value to others, but many people struggle to frame the value they generate as they navigate the unknown [(00:25:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=1500s). - To generate valuable experiences that can be passed on to others, it's essential to go back and forth between the known and unknown, and to think about the future and how to walk through it despite the unknown [(00:25:17)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=1517s). ## Being the Hero of Your Own Story - By generating a continuity of self and thinking about the future, individuals can begin to see what their story is and how they can share their value with others, including potentially with artificial intelligence personal assistants [(00:25:42)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=1542s). - Being the hero of one's own story means taking control and making choices that align with one's own desires, rather than living on autopilot and following others' expectations [(00:25:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=1549s). - When individuals don't consider themselves the hero of their own story, they may be living someone else's narrative, and this can lead to burnout and disconnection from one's true desires [(00:25:58)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=1558s). - Taking a step back to assess one's life, identify one's story, and express it authentically can be a powerful way to break free from external expectations and find one's own voice [(00:26:33)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=1593s). ## Sharing Your Story and Its Value - Sharing one's story can be a gift to others, and with the internet, it's possible to broadcast it to a global audience, which can be both scary and liberating [(00:26:53)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=1613s). - The act of sharing one's story and worldview can impart wisdom to others, including future generations, and help them navigate similar challenges [(00:27:20)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=1640s). - By solving problems and sharing solutions, individuals can help others shorten the distance between idea and execution, and make progress more efficiently [(00:27:36)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=1656s). - Natural self-expression and storytelling can make it easier to share one's story with others, and thinking of it as a gift can reduce pressure and make the process more enjoyable [(00:27:54)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=1674s). ## The Creator Economy and the Power of Voice - The creator economy, [[YouTube]], social media, and [[Non-fungible token | NFTs]] are all fueled by the desire to share valuable information, knowledge, and wisdom with others [(00:28:10)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=1690s). - Humans have a natural affinity for listening to stories, especially when told through voice, as it allows for inflection, passion, and excitement to be conveyed [(00:28:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=1729s). - Audiobooks, particularly those narrated by the author, can be a powerful way to ingest information and connect with the storyteller's voice and perspective [(00:29:05)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=1745s). ## The Internet, AI, and the Future of Storytelling - The internet has given humans the power to share their experiences and connect with anyone across the world, a power that has only been available for a relatively short period of time, with the internet taking off in the '90s and progressing significantly in 30 years [(00:29:15)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=1755s). - The rise of artificial intelligence is expected to change everything, and instead of letting fear stop progress, it should be seen as an opportunity to change the way value is shared across the world [(00:29:56)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=1796s). - AI is already disrupting every technology and corporation, and people are starting to be concerned about its impact, but it can also be used to change the way stories are shared and value is communicated [(00:29:57)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=1797s). - The use of AI personal assistants can help filter information and reduce cognitive overload, allowing people to share their value faster than ever before [(00:30:25)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=1825s). - The ability to curate experiences and project value to people across the internet is a powerful tool, and the use of AI can help improve the quality of output and make it easier to express value [(00:30:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=1831s). ## Originality, Intuition, and Personal AI Assistants - The concept of being original and following intuition is important, and tracking thoughts and generating a system of organized notes can help figure out where value lies [(00:30:57)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=1857s). - The data set generated from tracking thoughts and notes can become useful for plugging into personal AI assistants, which can help improve the quality of output and make it easier to express value [(00:31:15)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=1875s). - The idea of a "wisdom bridge" into the future, where past knowledge and understanding are captured and projected into the future, can help continue progress and build on past work [(00:31:45)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=1905s). ## The Wisdom Bridge and Hemingway's Technique - The concept of a "Hemingway bridge" is a technique used by [[Ernest Hemingway]], where he would stop writing at a certain point and leave notes for himself to continue the story the next day, reserving energy and allowing him to kickstart the process again [(00:32:04)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=1924s). - A mindfulness routine has been developed, which involves taking notes afterwards and generating wisdom bridges to link different selves together over time, creating a sense of continuity of self [(00:32:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=1959s). - This skill is considered valuable for connecting to different selves in the moment and bridging between them as life progresses [(00:32:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=1969s). ## The Artist Mindset and a Better System for Humanity - The idea of considering oneself as an artist or creator, as mentioned by [[Rick Rubin]], can help generate value and wisdom to share with the world [(00:33:19)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=1999s). - Embracing this mindset can potentially lead to the development of a better system for humanity to thrive, moving away from siloed and machine-like thinking [(00:33:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=2011s). ## AI Augmentation and Ethical Considerations - Artificial intelligence is expected to augment this process, but it also raises ethical issues and biases that need to be addressed [(00:33:43)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=2023s). - The importance of thinking about these problems together and approaching systems with hope for a better future is emphasized [(00:33:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=2032s). ## Future Topics and Call to Action - Future topics to be discussed include digital identity, online presence, and the generation of personal myth and story over time [(00:34:13)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=2053s). - The value of sharing content, subscribing, and providing feedback is highlighted as it helps grow the channel and support the creator's work [(00:34:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2kveBdiXjo&t=2067s).