We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lulu Liao. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lulu below.
Lulu, so great to have you with us today. There are so many topics we want to ask you about, but perhaps the one we can start with is burnout. How have you overcome or avoided burnout?
In my line of work, where empathy flows boundlessly and compassion is the cornerstone, burnout can lurk like a shadow, threatening to extinguish the very flame that drives my work. Like many who dedicate their life to service and helping people in their journey of healing, navigating burnout is not just a professional challenge, but also a deeply personal journey of self-discovery and resilience.
Avoiding burnout has been something that has been cultivated through the years. The first step is to realize that it happens and it exists. I may be in hot water for this one but ask your counselor, massage therapist, energy worker, or any other healing arts professional how many clients they see a day. If it’s anything above 7 (and that’s even pushing it).. RUN far far away. There is no way a person can be effective when they are seeing 8, 9, or 10 hour+ long clients a day. Many therapists/healers (and people) I know have trouble admitting this to themselves. They say they don’t get burned out and jam pack their days and wonder why they get sick often or have physical aches and pains. It is completely natural to feel depleted and drained when you are holding space for others (or even just being around people).
I established very quickly for myself that acknowledging burnout can happen was not a sign of weakness, but a courageous act of self-compassion. I had to confront the reality that I was not invincible and that my well-being was non-negotiable. This was in place, not only for myself but for those who depended on it.
With this realization came the necessity of setting boundaries, both with my clients and with myself. I learned to honor the sanctity of my time and energy. I have set office hours and divide time for work, family, self, and friends in a way that I can show up presently for everything. I embraced the power of saying no to friends/family who were probably used to the “free advice” before this became a profession. I realized that my capacity for holding space was not limitless and that it was okay to prioritize my own needs.
In tandem with boundaries came the cultivation of self-care rituals, small acts of kindness and nourishment that replenished my spirit. Whether it was a morning meditation/yoga class, a leisurely walk in nature, warm bath, a heartfelt conversation with a loved one, or buying myself pretty flowers, these moments of self-care became anchors in my life.
But perhaps the most profound transformation came from embracing the inherent impermanence of both suffering and joy. I realized that burnout or feeling lack of motivation some days, like all things, was transient, a passing storm that would eventually give way to the gentle rays of renewal. In embracing this impermanence, I found solace in the ebb and flow of life, knowing that even in the darkest moments, the light of healing remained within me, waiting to be reignited.
I am stronger, more compassionate because of these practices, and infinitely more attuned to the delicate balance between giving and receiving. To anyone who may find themselves ensnared in the grip of burnout, know that you are not alone. In today’s society, many are caught up in the vortex of doing more, but the saying that we need to put on our own oxygen masks first applies for this too. We cannot pour from an empty cup
Embrace the journey with courage and grace. The more you feed yourself, the more space you will have for others.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
As a holistic therapist I use an integrated method in my practice (e.g. multi-sensory, somatic experiencing, movement, experiential, mindfulness, sound, breath & energy work). For many years I, as a client, felt misunderstood & failed by the traditional therapy system. Many clients come to me because they’ve spent years in regular talk therapy with no progress. That is why I have created a unique approach that address the whole system (mind, body, and spirit) as well as multicultural and various intersections that we are all a part of.
My passion for this work largely stems from my own experiences with overcoming the pains of grief/loss, trauma/abuse, addiction, multicultural issues & more, & being frustrated by a system that didn’t get me.
I pride myself on making healing fun for everyone! I guarantee that we can navigate tough emotions and laugh at the same time! This human experience is tough and being able to find playfulness along the way is important.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge stand out as particularly impactful in my journey are empathy, self-awareness, and learning integrative healing techniques.
Empathy is the cornerstone of my work with others. It’s a quality I’ve had since I was young and has grown even more through my life experiences.Developing empathy involves active listening, perspective-taking, and a genuine willingness to engage with the experiences of others, I think if people want to develop this skill, they can practice reflective listening in their personal and professional interactions, seek out diverse perspectives, and engage in empathy-building exercises such as role-playing or journaling from different points of view. Many people listen to respond instead of listening to hear. I love the St. Francis Prayer reference to not so much seek to be understood as to understand. This will go a long way.
Self-awareness is also very important because we all are responsible for our own emotions and navigating these can take a while. But learning about our own emotions, biases, boundaries, strengths/limitations, and identifying areas of personal grown will help everything you do and make interacting with others so much easier. To cultivate this, practices such as mindfulness meditation, journaling, reading various self-help books or taking courses, or even just asking others can be invaluable.
Our health system has come a long way and has a long way to go. I’m so grateful that we are now considering more holistic methods of treatment. I recommend everyone go on their own journey to experience the wide range of modalities out there. There are so many workshops, conferences, free resources, and people doing amazing things. Go out and have fun with it.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Yes, Yes, and Yes!! I can collaborate with just about anyone because of my diverse skill set. I am available for speaking engagements on various mental health topics, am a therapeutic yoga instructor, facilitate breathwork workshops, and have training in somatic and other holistic modalities. I always joke, I can make anything a workshop and have had the privilege of working with so many professionals from hair dressers to astrologers to corporate executives.
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