Ugh there are so many bots in the burnout space I think I'm yet to find another human account posting advice :(
Recently lost my job too hence why I have the time to be on here. Using the opportunity to translate my PhD research into burnout programs :) & try help ppl on bsky
I'll add that the more specific you can be when seeking support, the more likely someone will support you.
Say exactly what and how you need it. Identify specific people who might be able to do it. Ask without guilt. People mirror your emotions and don't like feeling guilty.
Hey, my whole page is dedicated to burnout - you might find something helpful there.
#1 thing when you're at the end of your rope is reach out directly to people asking for support in specific ways so you can recover and realign to what's important to you.
All the best.
Classic.
Contrary to popular opinion, taking a break is not really the most effective way to address burnout anyway. But, as you keep going, steer towards what feels more rewarding and energizing... It will help.
Ok love how you first invited people in to help you and then looked to the upside while still acknowledging the downside of the situation.
Two excellent ways to keep burnout off your back.
When you start reaching out for practical help from more people, the world expands, and your safety net grows. If you let a fear of being told no hold you back, you'll never learn how much support is really out there. You just need to find your people, and then keep reaching.
There is a lot of uncertainty in the world right now.
Burnout is related to fear, body learning the world is risky. Keeping an eye towards opportunity can help stave it off.
I post about burnout often, in case it might help you.
Never listen to anyone who says you can't have it better. It's almost always self-serving for them to keep you down.
2 things
1. Getting paid money for a thing is known to decrease enjoyment of the thing
2. Working in a field where there's no fulfilment makes you prone to burnout
So there's a bit of a balancing act between protecting your hobbies while ensuring your work is something you care about
Being unrealistic with wishes and demands stops this from becoming a todo list/goal setting that gets added to your workload. This is just for expression, not for action. If it moves you to action thats a convenient bonus, but not the goal.
Goal is to shift from what you don't want to what you do
This is for yourself to process emotions without suppressing them and to try and interpret what the negative emotions are telling you.
To be done alone, don't use this to try to communicate with others. Write it down, talk to a mirror or record a voice note.
Repeat as needed.
Try this process: 5 mins ranting, 3 mins wishing, 3 mins demanding.
Ranting: express anger, complaints, fears, sadness, pain - whatever comes up, no filter.
Wishing: as unrealistic as you want, name what you wish for instead
Demanding: name specific people, and order them around (not irl)
Here's what I've pulled together so far - will add as I find them
bsky.app/profile/did:...
I notice many people in the art space feel lots of pressure to continuously create. Switching to just consuming art or doing different activities can sometimes reignite some energy x
release stress, reframe your situation, realign to values, reconnect with support networks. That's my nutshell version. Ask me anything.
Just remember that burnout is not a personal trait, it's caused by poor reward structures. i.e. most workplaces and unpaid caregiving roles beat people down instead of build them up.
Resolving burnout means finding better environments that are more rewarding. More info on my page if it might help.
when burnout starts creeping in, turning to what feels true to self and most fulfilling is the correct next step.
I love how beautifully you shared this.
The irony of the excess workload being put to GPs because not only do workplaces not gaf about mental health, but don't even trust their staff to be able to decide for themselves when they need a break. Drives me mad.
When you notice yourself burning out, remember to:
Release stress physically
Reframe your situation
Realign to your values
Reconnect with humans
Reconnecting is critical. Ask directly for specific help that will meaningfully improve your circumstances.
It's disturbing how much AI is being used to market this topic. People are so vulnerable in this space already. And the quality of advice I see is so low on average. Really sad.
Hey it's a long process. I've studied psych & mental health for 12 years. My whole account is designated to burnout info & advice. Might be useful.
Please take care. Move towards anything that makes your world a little brighter.
I've been running into SO MANY accounts posting AI generated burnout content that seem to have no or very little human oversight and am getting tempted to make a whole feed of AI accounts just so people can block/mute them more easily ... is that a thing? Would that be useful to people?
Sounds like you're in a rough spot. My whole page is dedicated to burnout and ways to manage it, check it out if you want.
All the best.
Don't overthink to the point of creating more of the problem you're trying to avoid. Post one, celebrate getting it off your plate.
The increased use of AI highlights how meaningless a lot of work is. Especially when you see AI bots interacting with each other more in more. Loss of purpose & meaning is a huge risk factor for burnout. This compounds the workload factor.
If you can get a break, take it. But don't expect it to resolve burnout. Once you've hit that level, your mind has already built up negative assocations with the workplace and it's takes a lot of work to unlearn. Be careful with how much you push through.
Yep. Oftentimes, people can't return to the same workplace and when they do manage to, it's with changes to their role.
Burnout is environment-based - not a problem with you, it's the workplace.
Thanks so much for saying this it will help me get it out sooner for sure! I'll send you a dm when it's out 😊
This is a nice way to put it. The issue with the fast dopamine hits is that they are addictive but not rewarding because there's no effort, passion, love, etc going into it.
The more intentional activities we choose are more aligned with our values.
@raccoonvandal.bsky.social had good advice. My page is also dedicated to burnout. In summary: physically release stress, reframe your expectations, realign to your values and reconnect with your support networks.
