Let us talk about burnout.
To some people, burnout is a badge of honor. They wear it proudly, as if
being burnt out means they are the hardest worker in the room. "Oh yes,
I am burnt out from work," they say, and they mean it as proof. Proof
that they are dedicated. Proof that they are deserving. Maybe even proof
that they are successful.
But I am here to say that burnout is not a badge of honor.
Burnout is a warning sign. It tells you that something is off. It could
mean you have not managed your time properly. It could mean you have
neglected your health---physically, mentally, or emotionally. Somewhere
along the line, you stopped putting yourself first.
And here is something I always tell people: work will always be there.
It is not going anywhere. The real question is, how are you managing
your time and your energy?
Now, what exactly is burnout?
In my own words, burnout happens when you no longer find joy in doing
what you once loved. It is not the same as disliking your job. This goes
deeper. You used to be excited to go to work. You used to feel
fulfilled. But now, it feels like a chore. You no longer want to get out
of bed in the morning. You feel flat. You feel tired even before the day
begins. You are just not motivated anymore. That is burnout.
It is not the same thing as depression. Depression is a different
condition that affects every part of life. Burnout is specifically tied
to your work. But just because it is work-related does not make it any
less serious.
I believe burnout has now been recognized by the WHO (as actors
influencing health status or contact with health services) and it means
more people are talking about it
Burnout often happens when people stop resting. They stop taking breaks.
They take work beyond where it is supposed to go. I have experienced
burnout before. And I can tell you, it came from a place of not taking
care of myself. I was pushing and pushing, thinking that if I just
worked a little harder, it would all be worth it. But that was not
sustainable.
I do not do that anymore. I realised that work will remain work. What I
needed to do was start prioritising my health.
One of the simplest ways to manage burnout is to actually take your
annual leave. Go on holiday. Stop taking work home. Create clear
boundaries. When it is time for work, give it your best. When it is time
for rest, unplug completely. Be present with your family. Be present
with yourself. Recharge.
If you ignore burnout, it does not just affect you. It can lead to
mistakes at work. It can cause you to miss important signs. It can make
you underperform. And that can lead to consequences like disciplinary
actions, or even losing your job.
So when you start feeling that loss of motivation, that constant
fatigue, that emotional distance from your job---it is time to pause and
pay attention. Your body and your mind are telling you that something
needs to change.
And sometimes, even after taking a break, you may still not feel
recharged. In that case, maybe it is time to consider something deeper.
Maybe the job itself no longer aligns with who you are or what you want.
And that is okay. Not every job is forever.
Whatever you do, always remember this: your health comes first. Your
mental health, your physical health, your emotional health. Everything
else can wait.
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