Shimra Ahamed
Burnout Isn’t Laziness: Why Hating Your Job Isn’t Your Fault
Are you waking up drained and exhausted? Do you dread Mondays? Do you feel disconnected from your job? Don’t worry! You are not alone; many people feel this way. But understand that it is not because you’re lazy nor you’re a failure. It’s because your energy level has hit the bottom long before and the recharging rate is not enough.
If you were a machine, you’d be blacked out, and the user would know when to charge you and how long to charge. Unfortunately, there’s no bar attached to us humans to show our energy level, and we do not completely blackout when we hit zero; not immediately but it might build and cause severe damage in the long run.
Why does burnout happen, what might be the real reason, and how to overcome burnout; these are the topics we’re going to explore today.
What is Burnout?
Burnout is the state where you’re mentally, physically and emotionally exhausted due to stress at work. You would’ve loved your job in the beginning, but when it keeps draining you, you may still burn out.
Slowly you would lose interest in what you’re doing, easily frustrated and or find it hard to focus. It’s your body’s way of expressing to you that you’ve been working too much and for too long and pleading you to have a break.
Laziness vs Burnout: What’s the difference?
Laziness is the state where you have all the means to but prefer not to do or postpone doing it, due to lack of motivation. But burnout is when you keep doing it even when you have lost all your energy doing it.
Burnout affects overachievers, who put their whole selves into the work, while laziness is the result of idly sitting without giving any effort to finish the task at hand. But it is more common for people who give their best to feel guilty or ashamed when the outcome of their efforts doesn’t match the previous output, therefore, thinking that they may have not given their best. They fail to understand that the lack of quality is due to the lack of energy and rest. Gradually, the quality of their work starts to decline, even when they give more effort and time into it; leading them to believe that they have become lethargic.
But the real reason why they are underperforming and have seemed to lose interest in what they’re doing is burnout.
What causes you to Burnout?
When you deal with too much stress for too long without any rest or support, burnout may slowly build inside you. Then you start to see the symptoms like feeling tired, empty or unmotivated.
To understand why you might be burnt out or to help yourself from burning out, you need to know the reasons why burnout happens. Here are the few reasons;
- Working too much so that you have little to no time to relax.
- Unrealistic expectations from your leaders, teachers or even yourself.
- Having lesser control over your schedules.
- Feeling unappreciated for the effort you give in.
- Constant pressure from higher ups for perfection or to always be productive.
- Little to no support from colleagues, friends or family.
With all the pressures from all sides, your body and mind will feel you can’t keep going like this anymore and therefore burnout happens. If you think any of the above points applies to you, you should know that even with no visible burnout symptoms yet, you are nearer to it.
How to Overcome Burnout and be yourself Again?
Just like it built up, burnout wouldn’t go away in a day or two. But small steps will heal you slowly. Here are few ways you can try to heal yourself:
- Rest
Give your body and mind time to heal. Sleep, relax and do nothing without feeling any guilt. Your body and mind needs to be free for a while to recover and be ready for the upcoming projects.
- Setting boundaries
If you’re given extra work, you should accept it as it will not be polite to say no and it will help you get a good name around your workplace. But you should also learn to say ‘NO’ when you’re overwhelmed. You should prioritize your energy and time.
- Share
Sharing how you feel with someone whom you trust will help you release your stress you’re holding. If you do not want to share how you feel with your friends and family, you can seek professional help like counselors.
- Do what you love
Reconnect with the hobbies or activities you love. Doing a simple thing like going out for a walk or listening to music that you like will make you feel lighter.
- Take care of your body
When you’re mentally down, improving your physical health will automatically help your mind to relax. Move your body, go for a jog, or stretch your body for at least fifteen minutes, and you’ll see how it helped you clear your mind.
- Considering big changes
If possible, you can try to take a break from the place and people who stresses you. If you can get a job at a better place, you should try it — as staying in the same place and having to deal with being under-appreciated and undervalued can ruin your mental health in the long run.
- Be kind to yourself
Blaming yourself for not doing better is common. But try to appreciate yourself and treat yourself with patience and care, as self-love and care is vital for you to become the person you wish to become.
Final Thoughts
Burnout doesn’t mean you’re lazy or weak; it means you’re exhausted after being strong for too long without rest and support. It’s your body reminding you to take a rest.
It’s okay to take a pause, breathe and enjoy your life once in a while. You don’t have to push through all the pain just to prove your worth to people who forgets to appreciate your efforts. Setting boundaries and taking time to heal will not make you fail; rather it will help you feel alive and more like yourself.
It’s easier to blame yourself when you see your colleagues doing better than you. But understand that everyone is different and you’ll get your limelight one day. Until then, give your best while also giving yourself some relaxation now and then.
