If you look up burnout symptoms, you’ll find generic points (e.g., trouble sleeping). Because I’ve hit the wall multiple times in my life, let me share specifics of what it REALLY feels like.
A summary of what burnout really feels like
If I had to sum up all of these points from my own experiences, I would say that, when you are truly burned out, you go from “I’d LIKE to stop” to “I HAVE to stop.” It’s not just fatigue. It’s desperation. And it’s not just wanting time alone. It’s having anything but absolute silence seem repulsive and feeling like one more text is going to smother you. And it’s not just losing your train of thought. It’s having a panic attack because you feel like your whole soul has gone blank. Many of our larger systems only make it worse.
And no. A spa day doesn’t fix it. Neither does people asking YOU what YOU should do to fix YOUR PROBLEM when you’re so exhausted you can’t possibly imagine coming up with any kind of solution alone and would give anything for someone to say more than “I hope things turn out” or “Good luck with everything.”
Say the truth in specifics
My biggest advice? Say exactly how it feels. Don’t describe it in the generics, because we tend to ignore or say “meh” to those like they don’t matter. If it feels like a car is crushing your chest, say it. Or if it feels like people look right through you, say it. If it feels like your muscles are in tears and you would be happy to sleep for a week, say that. Be specific. It’s the only way people will understand you need far more than a few days off.
Exhausted? Take action: Matthew 11:28-30.
Now, let’s be honest with each other. Do you recognize any of the points on this list in yourself? What do you REALLY need? Leave me a note on Instagram.