Rekindling the Flame Within
From Burnout to Being Lit Up: An Audiobook Journey
In an era where the glorification of busyness has become a badge of honor, Cara E. Houser's "Burned Out to Lit Up" emerges as a beacon of hope and a guidebook for those drowning in the sea of relentless hustle. With the recent release of its audiobook version, the message of this transformative work has become even more accessible, providing a lifeline to those struggling to keep their heads above water in the tumultuous ocean of modern life.
Houser's book is not just a narrative; it's a journey of self-discovery and empowerment. At its core, "Burned Out to Lit Up" is about debunking the dangerous myths of hustle culture that have led countless individuals, particularly women, to the brink of physical and emotional exhaustion. The book speaks directly to those who feel perpetually tired, overwhelmed by the never-ending demands of work and personal life, and disconnected from their true selves and desires.
The recently released audiobook version brings a new dimension to this already powerful work. The intimacy of Houser's voice adds a layer of personal touch and immediacy, making the listener feel as though they are receiving advice from a wise friend who has walked the path of burnout and emerged stronger on the other side. This auditory experience amplifies the book’s central message: that it's possible to move from chaos to clarity, from self-neglect to self-possession, and indeed, from being burned out to lit up.
Houser's personal anecdotes, combined with practical exercises and strategies, make the book a pragmatic guide for anyone looking to reclaim their life. The audiobook format is particularly effective in making these exercises feel more engaging and easier to incorporate into daily life.
As listeners navigate through Houser's stories of decluttering space, mind, and schedule, they are invited to actively participate in their own journey of healing and rediscovery.
One of the most compelling aspects of "Burned Out to Lit Up" is its holistic approach to wellness. Houser doesn't just address the symptoms of burnout; she delves into its root causes, encouraging listeners to rebuild healthy mindsets, habits, and practices. The book stands out for its emphasis on sustainable transformation, advocating for resilience and joy as the cornerstones of a fulfilled life.
In a world where many are losing touch with what matters most, "Burned Out to Lit Up" serves as a reminder that it's possible to lead a multidimensional, fulfilling life without succumbing to the pressures of hustle culture. The audiobook, with its accessibility and immersive experience, extends this message to a broader audience, allowing listeners to absorb its wisdom in a format that fits into their overbooked lives.
Cara E. Houser's "Burned Out to Lit Up" in its audiobook form is more than just a book; it's a movement. It's a call to action for anyone who feels like they are running on empty, sacrificing their well-being for the illusion of 'getting it all done.' Whether you are commuting, taking a break, or simply needing a moment of peace, this audiobook is a companion that guides, inspires, and empowers. It's a testament to the fact that the world needs your spark, and your time to shine is indeed now.
> In your book, you share your personal journey from burnout to renewal. How did narrating the audio version of your book impact your reflection on this journey?”
CH: Even though some of the stories and experiences I share happened years ago, recording them live brought them back clear as day. I have a healthy distance from some of the harder parts of the journey now as I’ve been able to put them into perspective, heal, and see the difficulty for the opportunity it was to learn the life lessons I needed to.
> Who do you envision as the ideal listener for the audio version of 'Burned Out To Lit Up', and what unique aspects of the audio format do you think will resonate most with them?”
CH: The book is a love letter of sorts to my fellow mid-life women who’ve burned the candle at both ends for too long. And of course a guidebook to aid them in their journey back to themselves, back to their unique and beautiful version of rich, full-bodied, joy-filled, lit-up living. Even so, I’m happy to say that I’ve also had folks on both the younger and older ends of the age spectrum as well as men who have read and listened and shared that the book has felt very resonant to them as well.
Audio is special, particularly when read by the author, as it feels like such a deep and personal connection with the writer and the work. I love listening to audiobooks read by the author, and am so happy to have had the opportunity to do this for my book. Although I’ve been told that my voice and tone come across in written work, audio helps it come across all the more strongly. I can tell it exactly how I meant it to be and to sound and to feel, and people can come along on that journey with me.
>What were some of the challenges and rewards of translating your written words into an audio format? Did you make any changes or additions to better suit the audio medium?”
CH: The audiobook is very close to the written one, with a few tweaks made for clarity to help people follow along without the guideposts present in written work. The book is full of storytelling and the audio format is perfect for those elements and adds so much richness.
There was one tongue-twister-type phrase I just literally could not get out of my mouth in a reasonable way that me and the producer decided to change up using synonyms after the 5th or 6th attempt. After several hours at the mic, you get tired and a little punchy, but we had fun with it.
> Your book integrates scientific research with personal anecdotes. How did you ensure that this blend was effectively conveyed through the audio version?”
CH: I followed a similar format for most of the chapters, starting with a story, and then moving on to the science and nuts and bolts of how to implement the learning into day-to-day life, and I think this fidelity in structure helps people anticipate and follow the flow. A few of the chapters have mini anecdotes sprinkled within as well.
There’s also a subtle shift in voice and delivery that helps distinguish between the relaxed tone of storytelling and the slightly more formal way of talking about research and technical information that helps listeners make sense of it.
> Burned Out To Lit Up includes reflection exercises and actionable advice. How are these interactive elements incorporated into the audio version, and what advice do you have for listeners to make the most of them?”
CH: I read these in the audiobook version at the end of each chapter, exactly as they appear in the written book. I have compiled them all into a free printable PDF workbook that is available on my web site as well, and I direct listeners there to download it if they like so they can have them printed all together to work on.
> What is the key message or takeaway you hope listeners will gain from the audio version of your book?”
CH: That burnout is not a result of having done things “wrong.” It’s a result of hustling and grinding so freaking hard to do it all “right,” (in terms of societal expectations) and still feeling like a failure. And that they already have everything they need inside them to heal and to move from chaos to clarity, from self-neglect to self-possession, from burned out to lit up. I simply provide the guidebook to gently take them through the phases of reflection and adjustment needed to get them back into alignment with what matters most to them.
Most of us get to burnout very gradually, over a period of years and thousands of small self-betrayals, where we put our needs and desires last. In the effort to be everything to everyone (except ourselves), we wake up one day to find we’ve become an unrecognizable shell of the lively, badass person we once were. We get to a point where doing anything at all outside the core essentials for survival feels like a monumental task. When adding a few fun tips you read on the internet or a magazine feels like putting a band aid on a stab wound.
> Describe the impact that burnout can have on one’s everyday life.
CH: Burnout causes disconnection and even a sense of hopelessness that healing can be found. I know I felt that way. It took me nearly years to climb out, and I’m really happy to have written this distilled and highly curated guidebook to help light the way for others to create the lives their hearts most desire.
> In your book, you challenge the lies of hustle culture. How do you think the convenience of an audio format aligns with or challenges the very culture your book aims to address?”
CH: I love this question! I touch on this in the book in the section on the wonders of technology, and it falls into the same non-binary way of thinking that I apply to pretty much all areas of life. Many things are neither good nor bad in themselves. It’s how we choose to partake in them, or not. And how conscious and intentional we are about these choices.
Technological conveniences like audiobooks (which account for 75% of my reading these days BTW!) are wonderful and additive. They allow us to listen while driving, walking, or even waiting in line. The trouble with technology as it relates to hustle culture is when it is given free unfettered access to our precious and finite time and energy, literally sucking our souls to feed the beast of attention-sellers in our modern media marketplace.
When unchecked, it fills every “free” moment with checking news, email, social media, etc. and paints every minute with a sense of frenetic rushing, worrying, dreading, being “productive,” or risking missing out. But when we give it healthy guardrails like choosing what content we engage with and for how long and when we retain the ability to turn it off when needed to be present with other aspects of our lives, we can enjoy its benefits without suffering from its downsides.
> What are some self-care practices or routines that you personally find helpful and might recommend to listeners as they engage with your book?”
CH: There’s a whole section in the book on conscious scheduling and time, and one thing I preach about like crazy because it has helped me and my clients so much is setting up a helpful routine that supports physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. It involves replacing the not-so-helpful habits most of us fall into for the first hours of our day with a set of mindsets and habits that actually serve our purpose and send us into our day ready to give our best.
Mine involves waking up, taking a few deep breaths, thinking of a few things I appreciate in my life, having water and coffee with my husband, getting breakfast and lunch together for the kids, and trail running (most days). I often do 10 minutes of mindfulness exercises or prayer or journaling as well. I do this stuff before I do social media or email. I consume very little traditional doom-scroll type media (just the minimum needed to be a reasonably informed human), as that just leads to hand-wringing, rage, grief, and suspicion.
I focus my time and energy on a few causes I can impact for the better with my time and money, and this conserves energy so that I can enter the world with an attitude of care, generosity, and possibility. This ordering of events feeds my mind, body, and spirit so that I enter the day resourced and more resilient to manage whatever it brings.
> Do you have any plans for future books or audio projects that build on the themes explored in 'Burned Out To Lit Up’?"
CH: Yes! A central theme in Burned Out to Lit Up is the passage from self-neglect, through self-care, all the way to the powerful state of self-possession. It’s about taking responsibility for how we spend our time, energy, and resources, and making intentional choices to align our lives with what matters most to us.
My next book is going to take the theme of increasing agency, purpose, and possibility, and apply it to the workplace. It will be a compendium of Dear Glinda’s greatest hits (Dear Glinda is my weekly career advice and inspiration column). The book will feature a year of weekly insights for readers to shift their perspective so they can increase their level of empowerment, purpose, and fulfillment in their work. The goal is to publish it this year and I’ll likely have an audio version of it as well.
> Any concluding thoughts?
CH: I believe we can avoid so much struggle and even prevent falling into a soul-crushing state of burnout in the first place if we can get our life-work balance in order. This is a theme in Burned Out to Lit Up that will be prominently featured in my next book as well—the notion that it’s essential to order our lives in such a way that work is but one important part of our lives, along with rich relationships, interests, and whatever else lights us up. When ordered properly, both life and the work we do are so much better for it. As I learned and shared in Burned Out to Lit Up, the more we nourish ourselves, the more we have to give to our loved ones, our work, and the world, and the opposite is also true.
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