Published on 12, July, 2020
This is the first year where I really feel I can recognise a few signs of burnout before being actually ‘in’ it. I know it’s not far off. At least I think so anyway.
For me, I feel like I become a little less articulate, seemingly simple tasks become pretty much impossible (an instance at work basically confirmed this today), inertia really sets in (I owe thanks to everyone who helped me learn more about this in a recent post), I tend to lose a bit of social fluency (I think I miss points of etiquette more often than usual) and I become very clumsy.
All of this is happening right now. It’s interesting to sort of sit back and observe it a little before it properly happens this time around.
Do you know your warning signs? Hopefully this isn’t a rude question. Genuinely curious.
Hi Oakling, after the mother of all burnouts, I'm in a similar position now in that I can recognise things. I still don't fully understand burnout (because I think I'm still physically in it to a certain extent) and there's probably different levels but I can recognise some signs now. I think inertia is a big one and frustration with not being able to engage in interests the same. Having more difficulty with tasks and organisation. I think the main one is when I start feeling the frazzle in my head. I can't describe it any better really but this was a perpetual part of my life day in day out which I thought was normal but it isnt!!
While it's still a challenge I would say the fact we can recognise these signs in ourselves is progress.