"I think I’m one of many in my generation suffering from ‘millennial burnout’. This is not currently a recognised medical condition, and there are no specific stats for it, but many of us are so stressed we’ve been unable to cope." A thread.
"I don’t remember the last time I relaxed. Honestly? I don’t know how to. Every time I try to read a book or watch TV, I think about what I have to do next, or my ‘to-do’ list flashes before my eyes."
"My brain never stops. I’m constantly on hyper-alert about the things I should be doing – but just can’t bring myself to do. And this stress has disrupted my sleep and led me to have mild insomnia." #MillennialBurnout
Millennials are experiencing a specific type of ‘burnout’ was first popularised by BuzzFeed writer Anne Helen Petersen. Her article on the subject points to the fact that the line between work and life is so blurred for many of us that there is no work-life balance anymore.
Plus, we’re online 24/7, so we’re always expected to be available, whether it’s work emails, social messages, or looking for love. It doesn’t even stop on holiday. #MillennialBurnout
'One of the biggest signs you're suffering from this is ‘errand paralysis’, where minor tasks such as going to the bank or replying to that text or email feels impossible.' #MillennialBurnout
'My job is a big priority for me, and I put a lot of pressure on myself to work hard. It means I'm always on – replying to emails at all hours, and bringing my work home at night. But while I'm doing well in my career, my personal life admin is a mess.'
'Then I have a list of appointments I need to make, & a shopping list I know I’ll never buy half the stuff on, like ingredients to make packed lunches for the week in order to save money. I often write myself reminders the night before so when I’m at my desk, they’re at the top'
'It’s my way of trying to stay in control of my spiralling life admin, but when I end up not doing the things on my list, I’m left feeling even more overwhelmed. Then I bury my head in the sand so I don’t have to think about everything I’m not doing.'
And it’s about more than about making lists. I tend to break my life up into compartments: work, relationship, friends & family. I want to give all of them equal attention, but I can’t do that because there just isn't enough time, I feel stressed, guilty, and permanently tired.
I overcommit constantly but always manage to make my deadlines with work. The sacrifices are more in my social life where I’ve ended up having to cancel nights out last minute and let down friends who end up angry and disappointed. #MillennialBurnout
“You can feel stress, insomnia, self-doubt, cynicism, and as though you're in a void, like, ‘How can I possibly succeed when there are not enough resources left for me?’ #MillennialBurnout
'There will be emotional exhaustion, a feeling of dissatisfaction, inadequacy, and also anger, and maybe physical pain that could take the form of Fibromyalgia or constant feelings of ‘unwellness'," #MillennialBurnout
'At the same time, things have changed for our generation. We've internalised the idea that we need to be working all the time, & that being average is no longer enough; we have to always be achieving. Our lives are a lot more 'out there' for everyone to see with social media.'
The idea of what a successful career should look like has also changed for millennials. It used to be about earning a decent salary, but now it feels like we need to do that as well as have a cool, exciting job you’re passionate about. #MillennialBurnout
It’s the same with being healthy. That means going to the gym at 5am, doing a run post-work to get cardio in, eating healthy at every possible opportunity, It’s all about being hyper-healthy, hyper-clued-up, hyper-fashionable - and it’s exhausting.#MillennialBurnout
I know a lot of people think this is another typical ‘millennial snowflake’ issue. But the world changes and generations adapt. I know life was also difficult for our parents and grandparents, with a lot more hard graft, #MillennialBurnout
but things are tough now in different ways. If previous generations knew what I went through on a daily basis, they wouldn’t think of millennials as lazy and entitled. We’re just trying to do our best, and often, it's harder than it looks. #MillennialBurnout
For me, one of the hardest parts about millennial burnout is that I don’t feel I’m ‘allowed’ to be this tired. I don’t think I’ve earned it or done enough to warrant having burnout. I feel like an imposter. #ImposterSyndrome
How it feels to have 'millennial burnout' A read many (like myself) will relate to! End of Thread bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/artic…
