Reframing is terminology in cognitive psychology that’s based on identifying and then changing the view and perspective of thoughts and emotions within a situation.

I have recently been doing an online course about Member Care: what it is to support missionaries on the field. One of the first days of the 30 day course was about our own journeys and the seasons that were like detours; needing to take another route due to an obstacle, bump or problem ahead on the road.  

When I think about my burnout I think of a detour. I was focused on a task but burnout took me off onto another path. The detour at first felt like it took me off track but in the long run it took me further ahead onto my journey. The detour of burnout taught me much about myself, my strengths and my weaknesses, my passions and gave me new vision for what is ahead.

The ‘detour’ is much like ‘reframing’, learning to see something that may be viewed negative that actually can be perceived in a positive perspective. Burnout is not a path that takes you off course but a detoured journey that can give a new perspective in life.