So, you have burnout?
We’ve all been there. No matter your course load, whether it’s at your job, raising your family, or academic studies, it is easy to reach a point where you just can’t take it anymore.
This is not a tutorial about how to navigate burnout (that will be a separate post), but, rather, it is a place where you can feel safe to acknowledge and accept the monster on your back. You may be here because you are stressed, anxious, you’ve hit a wall, you’re at your breaking point, or all of the above. You’ve run out of gas and need help, and that is normal- that is human.
Part of accepting this monster is recognizing what it looks like. Burnout may appear differently for everybody, it is not one-size-fits-all. Here are only a few ways that burnout may present itself:
- It has become a challenge to get out of bed in the morning
- You can hardly fall asleep at night thinking about the tremendous workload on your plate
- You feel emotionally exhausted
- You have feelings of self-harm or at risk of putting others in danger
- You wake up in the morning paralyzed by anxiety
These may not be true for you, and maybe you are experiencing a few, but not all, of these things, and that is valid.
Disclaimer: While my page is all about you and how to help you understand yourself better, I am not a licensed mental health expert. If you are experiencing thoughts of self-harm or are putting yourself or others at risk please reach out for help. One resource is the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You are human, and it is always okay to ask for help. If you are 18 or older, please look into receiving counseling if possible. If you are under the age of 18, please try to talk to a trusted adult who can connect you to more resources. You do not need to go through this alone.
It is important to recognize what burnout may look like to you, and to acknowledge that you are experiencing it. During this time, please give yourself the patience and understanding that you need. At times, we can be our own worst critic. It is easy to lower our self worth based on work ethic when times are tough. However, we are not always meant to be productive, nor are we meant to be perfect.
If you are experiencing burnout, understand that this is a symptom of a much larger process. You may be experiencing an incredible life shift at the moment, and you are struggling to keep up with your usual work ethic. Or, maybe you have been pushing so hard that your body is finally out of steam. Acknowledge this, and use this as a time to step back and recognize what is causing your burnout. During this process, give yourself wiggle room to make mistakes and not be perfect. Sometimes the best you can give is the bare minimum, and that is okay. Do not push your body or your mind to overwork itself. Instead, step back and reflect on what you’re going through in life and how you can be kinder to yourself during this time.
If it is a mountain of work that is looking you in the eye and scaring you, then remember that the only way to eat an elephant is through one bite at a time. One of my college professors once told me, “done is better than good”. That has stuck with me and has been an affirmation when I couldn’t give 110% of my effort. Start small, and allow little changes to snowball. Do not expect to build Rome in a day. If a fresh restart is what you need, then accept the gradual process of progress. Start by only working for 5 minutes at a time, and watch it turn into hours of work.
TL;DR If you just can’t take it anymore, that’s okay. That is perfectly normal and your feelings are valid. Give yourself the love and patience that you deserve. Reach out for help if you are putting yourself or others in danger.
You’ve got this, and you are loved.
