Published on 12, July, 2020
I burnt out a year or so ago and am finding it hugely difficult to regain any enthusiasm for work. I am working now but only part time and take little joy in it, even though my team are lovely and kind and the organisation is interesting. I worry I'd take no joy in any kind of work anymore.
I have had depression for a number of years and do well managing it on the most part now. I do take joy outside work in painting and so on. However work seems to be really difficult to get back to enjoying - I used to have quite a bit of responsibility and did kind of enjoy it at times.
I don't know if it was burn out because of Autism and masking (I was just diagnosed a couple of weeks ago) or just my jolly personality but it happened and I was interested to know people's experience of returning to work so I can learn from you all if that's ok?
I just wonder whether changing jobs to something more interesting might renew the spark a little bit? Perhaps once you feel like you've levelled out again after the burnout so that you're not just adding more demands and changes into a burnout situation, but it might help? Otherwise, it might be that you're just still burnt out and struggling to feel passionate or motivated in general. It's good to hear that you're finding more you-focused things to help you enjoy life - work is a big part of life, but it shouldn't be the main part unless you absolutely love it!
Yes, probably a good idea to change jobs. I did change for a wee bit to helping at a national monument (trying to be vague but weird phrasing there!) I had a great time, I wasn't the best at customer service but was so nice to work outside and not ever look at a computer or emails!
I think it isn't necessarily a panacea unfortunately. It might help, but it might just be time and patience I need.
Thanks for the reply, appreciate it.
No worries, I hope that when you're ready to make a change it helps. Going with that past experience and maybe trying something which contains the elements of that which you liked might be a good place to start. Or you could potentially try volunteering for something first to see whether it was something you liked before committing fully, unless that'd be too insanely stressful!
And yes, it might well just be time and patience and a hell of a lot of self-care too!