How do you get going?

My life changing burnout began in 2020 and has never really gone away. It ebbs and flows, with an acute episode kicking in in the winter months in most of the years since. The only year that didn’t happen was when I was on Mirtazapine.

Even in the non-acute periods I am not the person I was before. My passion for most things is greatly diminished.

So I try to take pleasure in simpler things like  walking in nature, reading a book or just sitting with my cat on my lap.

My job forces me to get out of bed, engage with the world and do actual tasks but it is so much more of a struggle than it used to be because I just don’t care anymore. But it is good that it gives me some structure and human contact.

I wish I could tell you some concrete way of fixing it.

It isn't about fixing it but living with it. I can tolerate the symptoms of fatigue fairly well. I know what sets me off, when I need to rest, and am more aware of environmental factors. I'm fairly content with the simple life. I'm just bobbing along now and have been doing for a while.  I know change does me good but don't want to end up burnt out again, and the fact I cannot sustain attention for very long means I'm struggling to commit myself to anything new.

Bandwidth is much less these days. I'm just concerned im going to end up more isolated than I intend. I also understand what you say about your passions being diminished and this feeds into my point about attention.

I very much empathise with this, especially the bobbing along. My previous answer originally ended saying that I feel like my life is in pause mode.

I have found one thing which does energise me, physically and mentally, and that is going to Spain or Portugal and walking in the sun. I can easily do 100km in a week. I am very aware of switching into a different mental state when I’m away and the physical effort is good for me.

Unfortunately this isn’t something I can work into my daily routine.

I very much empathise with this, especially the bobbing along. My previous answer originally ended saying that I feel like my life is in pause mode.

I have found one thing which does energise me, physically and mentally, and that is going to Spain or Portugal and walking in the sun. I can easily do 100km in a week. I am very aware of switching into a different mental state when I’m away and the physical effort is good for me.

Unfortunately this isn’t something I can work into my daily routine.

I'm sure Mediterranean sun would work wonders and I understand the novelty factor works well for attention when being in a dif fervent environment. I try to get outside even on a drizzly day if I can!