Work Prompt #17: Have you ever experienced burnout?
Welcome back all, I hope you are all taking it easy on yourself at work this week.
Last week we discussed: Do you struggle with self-doubt and negative self-talk? Thank you to all who participated and shared their thoughts for discussion. I enjoyed them. I hope you all did too. If you didn't share yours, please share them here and I look forward to reading and discussing them with you.
It is something that many people can relate to, yet it's often shrouded in silence and stigma. Burnout can manifest in various forms and impact individuals in different ways.
This week's prompt: Have you ever experienced burnout?
The feeling of burnout is like being trapped in a cycle of exhaustion, frustration, and disillusionment. It's a state where your mind and body feel drained, and your motivation and passion dwindle. I am looking forward to discussing it and sharing experiences to support each other in this journey towards emotional well-being. Let's use this space to discuss and share our struggles and challenges to support each other better on this front.
@ASilentObserver
Have you ever experienced burnout?
Way too often if you ask me. I try my best to pace myself, but my mom has this medical issue she's not taking seriously and I just found out my dad's health is also declining. Which my mom isn't taking well and is pouring her stress onto the rest of us and there is still a lot to get done around the house. Exams are coming and my grades are slipping down, I can't focus in class and now I'm scared I won't be able to graduate. Dad's pressing me about college and I don't know where I want to go. My poor sisters trying to get into school but everything always seem to go wrong when she tries and it just feels like everything is in shambles and I got to hold it all together.
@JollyRacher I am sorry to hear you are experiencing burnout due to your family responsibilities and academic pressures, Jolly. You are taking a lot of responsibility for holding things together, which can be overwhelming. What matters most to you right now?
@ASilentObserver
Right now, probably my writing and exercising. The two things that single-handedly keeping my sanity afloat. Both make me feel good and give me this boost I didn't know I needed. Writing helps me mentally and exercising helps me physically. Also, 7 cups is good for me. Knowing there's a lot of people going through a lot of stuff. Talking to people here, playing games, and feeling like I'm not alone. It's nice.
I’m sorry about all the pressure and stress . I can’t help but notice, it sounds like your Mom really trusts you to discuss her worries and your Dad, even though he’s not at his personal best, continues to be motivated by guiding you toward a solid foundation to build a career and reminding you to think about and apply to higher education. You also are very compassionate with your sister and her situation.
Although the pressure and burnout is there, so also is the love and support from you and your family. That is such a meaningful thing to be surrounded by 💚
The description sounds like a regular day at work.
For me there's a lot of factors. The main thing I guess is that I really don't have a say in any of it and I have to keep at in until something else comes along and that in itself can be stressful.
I just try to get through the day without causing too much trouble.
And like today. I felt guilty for taking Friday off because I had gotten my workload done early and it was more than normal. I had one thing left to do which was due this week. Nope. It was due Friday.
I had my quarterly reports to deal with last month (which had some 125+ lines), my dailies which are now 3,930 reports that I have to view in a month, the monthlies (those had over 60 more names last month) & I'm supposed to remember when random assignments are due.
No matter what I do at this job, it's not enough.
@Enthenia I hear you enthenia. It sounds like feeling powerless and lack of control contributes to your stress at work. You took a well-deserved break but then felt guilty about it. That feels difficult. What other factors contribute to your stress?
@ASilentObserver well stress on a different matter. Trying to get the third assignment done for my programming class and keep getting errors. I've been working on it off and one since Sunday. I've completely redone it three times, looked at articles and forum answers but nothing seems to help. This adds to the tension regarding work because vI really don't want to be stuck there.
Have you ever experienced burnout?
Quite often, yes...I will get really excited about a new business adventure, study for days on end, or work towards that goal...only to feel burnt out in the end...Been working towards my real estate license for a while but...idk...not really feeling it...I still need to finish the classes though, I only have 1 month left to finish everything and I REALLY need to get it done. Just been stressed about life and things going on...
One of the nurse's husband is also working towards a Real Estate Agent license.. He was laid off from his previous work as an Engineer in Physics. He had failed the English test 2 times before passing, and is now finally starting on the courses.
I really hope you can achieve this, it will be a good option of work given the circumstances you're in. You can do it! I'm rooting for you!!!
@ImpudentIncognito
@Jaeteuk Hi Jae! It's good to see you. I'm pushing myself back into finishing my classes. I'm hoping to get it done this work (currently working on them as we speak). I feel a little bit more motivated now after reading your message, and also due to this timeline crunch I'm on. My lease ends in June, and I plan on moving with my (long distance) partner to his city or we might go to a new city entirely. He's already done with his classes for CDL, he's just needing to get endorsements. We're both currently broke. It's just been a crazy couple of months. I quit working due to recovering from physical ailments. But...I think I'm ready to get back on that workhorse. I am (at the very most) capable of working remotely -- and luckily there is a LOT of realty work that allows for remote work!
I want to start a new chapter in my life, away from the trauma and hope that my son has a better future and education. I'm ready for a new leaf.
Anyways, how have things been going for you? Are you currently looking to work as an English Teacher in Korea? How is the job in the medical field currently going? Are you doing OK?
I'm so glad to hear you haven't given up yet! Having a deadline/limited timeline I feel is often what can motivate us to get working on what needs to be done. Moving in with your partner, you have been waiting for this for so long. I'm happy for you that you are finally able to take the next step, and open a new chapter in your life. Definitely a positive change for you and your son. A well-deserved new beginning for you, after all the things you have been through, with traumas and physical ailments. The beauty with Real Estate, is you can do the work, no matter which State you're in, and can be both done remotely or face-to-face with your clients.
As for myself, remember I had that Acute Diverticulitis the past February? Well, I finally had my colonoscopy this past Monday, and the doctor gave me a thumbs up after my procedure. So, I'm guessing everything looks fine now. I can finally have a sigh of relief that nothing serious resulted from that episode. It's something I do not want to experience again though. It took me 3 weeks to recover, couldn't work.
I've somewhat gave up on trying to find work in Korea as an English Teacher, because their work visa requirement consists that I either have a Degree or Diploma. I have neither, although I did start studies for a Diploma, and have stopped 1/3. Especially after being involved in a financial scam where I lost 20k. I haven't given up entirely though. Since January 2024, I have been sending out an email to a company I want to work at in China. Sending out the email, as a Job Offer to be an English Teacher, I send it out once a month, on the last day of each month (so that if the company sees my email, it is the 1st of the month). Also, my brother and I are giving a second chance to starting our own business. I did a pre-launch last June, and published a book on Amazon. My brother paid extra money on the same program, where we now get a one-on-one coach/mentor to give us more guidance to succeed in this re-launch. So hopefully, that goes well.
As for my work at the hospital. A colleague finally retired, her last day was yesterday (I did not attend her retirement party at work). The other problematic new hire started last week. I feel she still acts negatively towards me, so I try my best to avoid interaction with her. We also have another new hire, another staff of the same status as I, a Casual (which means, we both work shifts to cover the permanent staffs' vacation and sick days). She's also the daughter of one of our clerk ladies. I've trained her for 2 days last week, and will have 3 more days of training with her in May.
Otherwise, I think I'm doing okay. I'm hoping this re-launch of our Publishing business will succeed, and that I can either quit my current job, or work the minimal amount of hours to keep my job. And possibly earn enough so we can have a family vacation (haven't gone on vacation with the whole family, parents and brother. Can't even when was the last time we went on vacation together). So that would be nice, I also hope to hear from that company in China. Whether they accept my job offer or not. It would be cool if they accept it though, it will be a dream come true.
@ImpudentIncognito
@ImpudentIncognito Yes, burnout can definitely happen when we push ourselves too hard, Impudent. You have had some big goals and interests in the past where you've put a lot of energy into them, but right now you're feeling a bit drained with finishing up your real estate classes. What's contributing most to how you're feeling stressed these days?
I'm experiencing severe work-related burnout right now. I will need to find a new job in the next nine months or so, but I have no interest in any job in my career field. In fact, I have no interest in any other jobs whatsoever. None. And by none, I mean none.
I hate my career field (and feel a lot of contempt for my colleagues), but it's the only thing I've ever really done. If it paid better, I'd probably just embrace the misery and stick with it.
Obviously, I have to be employed, so I will have to figure something out. I also need the health insurance.
Yes, I am depressed. Yes, I'm have a therapist who I see regularly. Yes, I'm on medication. No, I can't afford to retire.
@hematite43 Hi Hema, it is good to see you in the forums sharing your thoughts. I appreciate you for opening up here with us on burnout. It sounds like you are feeling stuck in a challenging situation with your career. The thought of continuing in this role despite the burnout and contempt for your colleagues can be difficult to consider. And the limitations of your financial situation make changing paths even more pressing. If I can ask you, what aspects of your current role cause you the most stress?
@ASilentObserver
What I find most difficult is interaction with others. Over the past several years, I've run extremely low on empathy and compassion. I also don't have the same value for the field in which I work so I always question the point in doing any of the work.
burnout is so real and i'm sorry to everyone at risk of or facing it right now. please try to carve out time for yourselves, even if it's just little pockets of self-care. i hope you all get a vacation soon 🥰
Do I experience burnout?
Oh boy do I. I am a University student and sometimes I become overwhelmed with all the due dates and studying. It becomes easier to just walk away from it. Problem is when I do I'll stay in my room for days and then my work becomes late, or too late to be accepted. Consequence my grades drop. Secondary consequence feeling depressed. It's a cycle I find myself in. Breaking it seems impossible.
@RisingPhoenix1987 That sounds like a lot of pressure, phoenix. What would you like to do in this situation?
I'd like accountability to someone. Being a distant online learner I don't feel like I have that. I'm more free to be distracted or go to my room. Whereas when I took seated classes there was no getting out of it. I also need someone to just sit me down in front of my laptop and say look your going to spend this many hours working on this, when your done than you can relax or curl up in a ball in your room. It just all boils down to me needing someone to make me feel accountable.
@ASilentObserver Thank God no, but a lot of times I was close
Sometimes I feel like I’m never going to recover from burnout. I have been working consistently since I was 16–now 42–and honestly it’s exhausting. I feel like it’s viewed as “wrong” to say I’m tired—emotionally, mentally, and physically tired. I’m a good employee. I barely take any time off—not that I have much anyways. 😔 And yet…I’m always stressed about my job and personal life, which doesn’t help to lessen burnout. I honestly can’t think of a time when I wasn’t burnt out.
@Olive1Q82 you have been experiencing burnout for quite some time now, feeling constantly exhausted and stressed without much respite. I get it you are feeling overwhelmed by these prolonged periods of exhaustion.
@ASilentObserver
I'm experiencing relationship-related stress that is quite unbearable. I feel depleted. Wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.
@hardworkingBeechwood6063 I am sorry to hear that you are going through such a challenging time with your relationship right now. Feeling depleted can be tough, beech.
@ASilentObserver yes, but at school, not work. I was completely and constantly burnt out at my uni, and it was one of the reasons I dropped out. I know I have poor understanding of my own energy levels, so I decided to choose a job that will match me and won't follow me home. It may sound like I'm not ambitious enough or didn't make it far from the outside, but in reality I'm just playing a little 4D chess with having it all thought out for the long-term.
@sadcat13 It sounds like you have been through a lot and made some choices based on what would help you in the long run. How do you feel about these decisions?
@ASilentObserver never regretted it a single time 😊