NAVIGATION
IN THE MIDST OF CHAOS: HOW ARE YOU REALLY?
by Rhiannon M. Kim
We are experiencing heightened levels of overwhelm every day. For some of us, this overwhelm may not register as “too much” because the ways oppression and other forms of harm have shaped our nervous systems. The baseline level of stress and overwhelm for People of the Global Majority, LGBTQIA+, Disabled, Unhoused, and people with identities marginalized by society not captured is often higher than for those with more access to power and privilege (Brown et al., 2020; CDC, 2025; Fehling, 2024; Williams, 2018). Stress and burnout may even feel “normal”. If we are able to pause and truly tune into our hearts, minds, and bodies we may realize the depth of our distress.
We live in a culture that prioritizes urgency, progress, and overworking ourselves and deprioritizes intentionality, awareness, and rest. Tricia Hersey’s book Rest is Resistance: A Manifesto (2022) wrote: “Many people believe grind culture is this pie-in-the-sky monster directing our every move, when in reality, we become grind culture. We are grind culture. Grind culture is our everyday behaviors, expectations, and engagements with each other and the world around us” (p. 23). This leads to burnout.
Burnout and overwhelm present themselves in a variety of ways, and none of them are good for us or for those we are in community with. They can manifest as cynicism, chronic fatigue, exhaustion not explained by other medical conditions, misdirected anger, emotional numbness, emotional distance, unable to access empathy for self and others, feeling a lack of purpose, physical pains not explained by other medical conditions such as headaches, stomachaches, and other aches. This is not a comprehensive list.
At this moment, I invite you to pause. Take a moment to tune in to how your body, heart and mind are responding to what you just read. What are you feeling? If you are thinking “this isn’t me; this doesn’t apply to me,” I would ask you to reflect on what makes you so sure. We can experience happiness and joy, be in a loving community, and still be burnt out. For some people, acknowledging that they feel burnt out may feel like a personal failing or that they do not love the work they do; neither of which are true. Burnout is a systemic issue that impacts people and impacts people differently. People can love their work and be overworked and/or feel compelled to overwork themselves.
If you are in a leadership role, it is essential that you take the time to listen with curiosity, humility, and receptiveness to the people you lead about how the work culture is impacting their well-being. They will be the best source of information and insight on how to change the company/organization/team culture to address burnout.
In order to care for ourselves and each other, we must practice tuning in to ourselves with tenderness and compassion and being honest with ourselves about how we are actually doing even when it’s uncomfortable. Similarly, while none of us are responsible for other people’s emotions, we are responsible for reflecting on the impact we have on others, taking accountability, and making changes when we are contributing to unease/dis-ease for others.
A Reflection Practice
Take some time to reflect on the prompts below:
- Am I experiencing any of the above characteristics of burnout? (more here: When Experiencing Trauma and Overwhelm)
- What stories am I telling myself about my burnout?
a. Am I blaming myself? Shaming myself? Judging myself?
b. Am I cursing out my boss/supervisor? - Let those stories play out. Write, talk them out, draw, create a collage – do anything that will help you process.
- Are there any people in your life that you know who have solid boundaries around their work? What do you notice about their relationship to burnout? (note: we may make assumptions and not really know their levels of burnout, so maybe ask them how they’re really doing at some point).
- What is one thing (or two or three) that you would like to do to change your relationship to your approach to work
- Who are people in your life that could be supportive as you make these changes?
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CDC. (2025, May 16). The Mental Health of People with Disabilities. Disability and Health. https://www.cdc.gov/disability-and-health/articles-documents/mental-health-of-people-with-disabilities.html
Fehling, K. (2024, March 11). LGBTQ+ mental health and the role of minority stress. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/building-a-life-worth-living/202403/lgbtq-mental-health-and-the-role-of-minority-stress
About the Author
Rhiannon M. Kim, Ed.D., CGS-RBA (she/her), is biracial/mixed Korean and White. She was born and raised in Vermont. She currently serves as an adjunct lecturer at multiple higher education institutions and is an educational and organizational consultant working with teams and organizations to embed more sustainable, heart-centered and equity-centered principles and practices into the work.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
This month’s member spotlight is a feature on Wubet Jean-Baptiste (she/her)!
From Scarsdale, New York, Wubet is the President of the African Student Association (ASA) at the University of Vermont! VT PoC was also fortunate to have Wubet join us as our Summer 2025 Intern.
news FROM THE NETWORK
OPEN NOW: VT PoC 2026 Newsletter Interest Forms!
We’re looking for writers and community members to spotlight for our 2026 newsletter! Fill out the forms and we’ll get back to you.
Don’t Forget to Take Advantage of VT PoC’s Resources!
Looking for new opportunities or ways to get involved?
We offer a variety of resources to support you—personally and professionally!
We want your feedback!
We want every new VT PoC member to feel informed, connected, and supported from day one. Currently, new members receive a detailed welcome email and are invited to join a brief (30-minute) virtual Welcome Orientation each month. We’re seeking your feedback:
Is the welcome email too long? Does a Member Welcome Orientation interest you? Do you have suggestions for the onboarding process?
Share your thoughts in our short poll! Your feedback will help us ensure our welcome process reflects our community’s needs.
VT PoC’s The Things in Between: Full Playlist
Explore key topics like life insurance, personal credit, financial planning, and business entity basics to gain valuable insights to support your financial journey.
VT PoC x VSBLC Legal Webinars: Past Recordings
Missed a webinar? Catch up with our past recordings and stay informed on key legal topics! Learn about starting a nonprofit, liabilities & torts, legal contracts, hiring your first employee, and more!
| Other Resources | |
|---|---|
| Community Health Investment Fund Emerging Need Funding Application Fiscal Year 2026 | University of Vermont Medical Center seeks to address the top community health priorities by investing in local organizations. Applicants for funding must be non-profit, municipal, or other government organizations. Projects must primarily support community members in UVM Medical Center’s Health Service Area (Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties) and applications are accepted on a rolling basis. |
| Register by November 10: BETA Technologies Career Day | Explore Career Opportunities in Electric Aviation! Whether you’re looking to kickstart your career after high school or are an experienced job seeker ready for a new challenge, join BETA Technologies’ Career Day on Sunday, November 16, to explore pathways in electric aviation and advanced manufacturing. |
| Visiting Teacher-Naturalist Program | Calling all teaching naturalists, ecologists, trackers, nature educators, outdoor accessibility advocates, and more! This program is designed to spotlight the expertise, knowledge, and skills of Black, Indigenous, POC, rural, immigrant, disabled, and LGBTQIA+ individuals. This program is designed to help us find experts who can represent identities missing from our current staff, thus broadening the perspectives shared with the NBNC community. |
EVENTS
November 4 — VT PoC’s State of the Network
Join VT PoC for our bi-annual State of the Network where we will discuss our mission, past projects, and future endeavors. Let’s reconnect!
November 6 — VT PoC Membership Orientation: Welcome to The Fam!
New to VT PoC? Or maybe you have been following us for a while but still aren’t sure about all of our resources? Join us on the first Thursday of every month for our VT PoC Member Orientation: Welcome to The Fam!
We are excited to connect and help you get the most out of being part of the Fam!
November 11 — VT PoC Co-Work & Chill: Espresso Bueno
Join VT PoC for co-working sessions around the state! It’s an informal space for chatting, co-working, etc. Come through and chill with us at Espresso Bueno in Barre on Tuesday, November 11, from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm. This is a BIPOC affinity event.
Walk-ins are welcome, and we look forward to seeing you there!
November 16 — VT PoC x Petra Cliffs: BIPOC Indoor Climb
VT PoC is excited to partner up with Petra Cliffs again to welcome BIPOC folks to embark on an exhilarating ascent at our FREE BIPOC Indoor Climbing Night on Sunday, November 16, 2025 from 3:30 to 5:30 PM.
Join us for an evening of adventure, connection and community in a space that will allow folx to reach new heights through boulder and belay!
trainings & professional development
| Date | Workshop | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Month | Vermont Joblink: Interview Skills, Career Guidance, Resume Prep, Etc. | Multiple | |
| Nov 4 | Vermont Nonprofit Summit ($$) | 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM | South Burlington |
| Nov 5 | How Do I Get the Word Out About My Business? – Social Media Edition | 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM | St. Johnsbury |
| Nov 12 | CVOEO Renters Workshop: Sustaining the Rent | 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM | Virtual |
| Nov 13 | 7th Annual VOBA Outdoor Economy Summit ($$) | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Burke |
| Nov 18 | CVOEO Renters Workshop: Finding Housing | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | Virtual |
FUNDING & GRANTS
Thank you to everyone who applied for VT PoC’s Community Impact Grant!
Applications are closed—we hope to reopen this opportunity in the future. If you’d like to learn more or contribute, click the link below!
| Due Date | Grant | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Rolling | Vermont Equity & Justice Grant Program 2025 | Addresses needs that have arisen as a direct result of federal actions and policies. |
| Rolling | Nonprofit Enhanced Rebate | For eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits to purchase qualifying equipment or complete a custom project. |
| Rolling | Nonprofit Capacity Building | Supports consultant fees for nonprofit organizational capacity building work. |
| Rolling | Grassroots Fund: Grow Grants | For groups who have some experience implementing a project in their community. |
| Rolling | Vermont Humanities Rapid Response Grants | Quick turn-around small grants for humanities-focused community projects. Awards up to $1,000. |
| Rolling | Grassroots Fund: Seed Grants | Support for community groups who represent a broad range of voices in their community and who are not being reached by other funders. |
| Rolling | New England Presenter Travel Fund | Supports travel costs associated with researching artistic work that may eventually be presented in New England. |
| Rolling | Community Action Team | Offers general or project support within the broad guidelines and funding provided by the Ben & Jerry’s Foundation. |
| Rolling | USDA Small Business Cost Share Program | Businesses with fewer than 50 employees and gross profit under $1,000,000 are eligible. |
| Rolling | Social Equity: Vermont Cannabis Control Board | Individuals determined to meet social equity status by the Vermont Cannabis Control Board may be eligible. |
NEWS
Mandarin to Close in Winooski
The closure marks the end of the Fong family’s almost four decades owning Chittenden County Chinese restaurants. Another Asian eatery will replace it.
Pizzeria Verità Co-Owner to Open Italian Café and Shop in Burlington
Leslie McCrorey Wells will launch Alimentari on St. Paul Street later this fall. It will complement the trio of Italian restaurants she co-owns down the block.
