Update preventing-burnout.md

Author: probablynotnmp

_articles/preventing-burnout.md

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 title: Preventing Burnout for Open Source Maintainers
-description: Strategies for sustainable open source maintenance and recognizing burnout early
+description: Strategies for sustainable open source maintenance
 lang: en
 ---
 
 # Preventing Burnout for Open Source Maintainers
 
-Maintaining an open source project can be deeply rewarding, but it can also be emotionally and physically taxing. Burnout is a real challenge that many maintainers face. This guide explores strategies for recognizing burnout early and building sustainable practices.
+Maintaining an open source project is rewarding but can be taxing. Burnout is a real challenge many maintainers face.
 
-## Understanding Maintainer Burnout
+## Recognizing Burnout
 
-Burnout in open source maintenance typically manifests as:
+Watch for these signs:
 
-- Emotional exhaustion from constant demands and support requests
-- Cynicism or detachment from the project you once loved
-- Reduced effectiveness or productivity despite increased effort
-- Resentment toward contributors or the community
-- Physical symptoms like sleep disruption or chronic stress
-
-Many maintainers delay addressing these symptoms until they reach a crisis point. Proactive prevention is far more effective than reactive recovery.
-
-## Recognizing Early Warning Signs
-
-Watch for these indicators before burnout becomes severe:
-
-- Dreading opening your email or GitHub notifications
-- Spending nights or weekends on maintenance when you didn't plan to
-- Feeling irritable during interactions with contributors
-- Loss of enthusiasm for features or improvements you previously cared about
+- Dreading to open GitHub notifications
+- Irritability during contributor interactions
+- Loss of enthusiasm for the project
 - Difficulty separating work from personal time
-- Guilt about not responding to issues quickly enough
-
-## Setting Sustainable Boundaries
-
-Clear boundaries are essential for long-term maintenance.
-
-**Define your working hours**: Establish specific times when you respond to issues and PRs. Communicate these clearly in your README or CONTRIBUTING.md.
 
-**Create a triage system**: Not all issues require immediate attention. Categorize issues by priority and severity to manage expectations.
+## Setting Boundaries
 
-**Set response time expectations**: Let contributors know realistic timeframes for responses (e.g., "I respond to issues within 2 weeks").
+- Define working hours and communicate them clearly
+- Triage issues by priority
+- Set realistic response time expectations
+- Take regular breaks
+- Automate repetitive tasks
 
-**Take strategic breaks**: Plan regular time off. Even 1-2 weeks quarterly can prevent accumulation of stress.
+## Building a Team
 
-**Automate where possible**: Use GitHub Actions, bots, and automation to handle repetitive tasks like labeling, closing stale issues, or running tests.
+You don't have to do this alone:
 
-## Delegating and Building a Team
+- Identify potential co-maintainers
+- Document your processes and decisions
+- Mentor new maintainers
+- Create clear contribution guidelines
 
-You don't have to do everything alone.
+## Taking Care of Yourself
 
-- **Identify potential maintainers**: Look for consistent, high-quality contributors who understand your project's vision
-- **Document your processes**: Write detailed guides on how you make decisions, merge criteria, and project direction
-- **Mentor new maintainers**: Invest time upfront to train people who can share the load
-- **Create clear contribution guidelines**: Reduce back-and-forth by clearly stating what you need from PRs
-- **Use issue templates**: Guide contributors to provide necessary information upfront
-
-## Taking Care of Your Mental Health
-
-Maintenance is a marathon, not a sprint.
-
-- **Practice saying no**: You can't accept every feature request. Declining requests is not rude; it's necessary.
-- **Celebrate wins**: Acknowledge releases, milestones, and community achievements
-- **Connect with other maintainers**: Shared experiences help. Join maintainer communities
-- **Seek professional support if needed**: If stress becomes overwhelming, talking to a therapist or counselor is valid and helpful
-- **Remember your "why"**: Periodically reflect on what made you start this project and what you want it to be
-
-## Resources for Maintainers
-
-- [The Maintainers](https://www.themaintainers.org/) - Conversations about the roles and experiences of open source maintainers
-- [Working Open Source](/working-open-source/) - Balancing open source work with your personal life
-- [Building Community](/building-community/) - Creating a welcoming environment for contributors
-- [Maintainer Communities](https://github.com/open-source/maintainers) - Community resources for open source maintainers
+- It's okay to say no to feature requests
+- Celebrate milestones and wins
+- Connect with other maintainers
+- Seek professional support if needed
+- Remember why you started the project
 
 ## Conclusion
 
-Sustainable open source maintenance requires intentional boundary-setting, delegation, and self-care. By recognizing early warning signs and implementing preventative strategies, you can maintain your project and your wellbeing for years to come.
-
-Remember: A burnt-out maintainer helps no one. Taking care of yourself is taking care of your project.
+Sustainable maintenance requires boundary-setting, delegation, and self-care. A healthy maintainer makes a healthy project.