Yesterday I started a series of threads about burnout (original thread below). In today's thread, I want to share a little more about what burnout feels like.
#burnout #burnoutrecovery
#burnout #burnoutrecovery
https://twitter.com/PastorSoul/status/1435716243781193731
Yesterday I mentioned the four key factors in identifying burnout:
1. Deep emotional exhaustion
2. Diminished sense of accomplishment
3. Loss of identity/sense of self
4. Feeling Hopeless
Let's go a little further down the rabbit hole . . .
1. Deep emotional exhaustion
2. Diminished sense of accomplishment
3. Loss of identity/sense of self
4. Feeling Hopeless
Let's go a little further down the rabbit hole . . .
Anxiety and shame —
These two are so huge I will dedicate a separate thread to each of them later on. However, generalized or chronic anxiety is one of the main causes of burnout. Shame is one of the primary drivers of anxiety. Burnout is always accompanied by anxiety and shame.
These two are so huge I will dedicate a separate thread to each of them later on. However, generalized or chronic anxiety is one of the main causes of burnout. Shame is one of the primary drivers of anxiety. Burnout is always accompanied by anxiety and shame.
Physical problems —
Burnout can show up in our bodies too. We may feel chronic fatigue, restlessness, insomnia (trouble sleeping), hypersomnia (trouble staying awake), or pain in our neck, shoulders, back, or gut. Chronic low-level illness and digestive issues can show up too.
Burnout can show up in our bodies too. We may feel chronic fatigue, restlessness, insomnia (trouble sleeping), hypersomnia (trouble staying awake), or pain in our neck, shoulders, back, or gut. Chronic low-level illness and digestive issues can show up too.
Difficulty working —
Tasks that used to be easy now require much more emotional investment. This makes them seem like giant obstacles to overcome instead of routine work. Everything has become harder.
Tasks that used to be easy now require much more emotional investment. This makes them seem like giant obstacles to overcome instead of routine work. Everything has become harder.
Loss of enthusiasm —
You used to feel energized by your work; not anymore. It's really hard, if not impossible, to get excited about anything. You begin to dread the work that you used to love.
You used to feel energized by your work; not anymore. It's really hard, if not impossible, to get excited about anything. You begin to dread the work that you used to love.
Overwhelmed —
Life is coming at you too fast. You feel buried by a mountain of responsibility and no one seems to notice. Work feels less like swimming and more like drowning. You begin to question your calling, competency, and sanity.
Life is coming at you too fast. You feel buried by a mountain of responsibility and no one seems to notice. Work feels less like swimming and more like drowning. You begin to question your calling, competency, and sanity.
Angry —
You have become angry at everyone and no one all the time. The real person you are angry with is you. You are probably angry with yourself for violating boundaries, ignoring values, or compromising your integrity. These happen in small steps over a long period of time.
You have become angry at everyone and no one all the time. The real person you are angry with is you. You are probably angry with yourself for violating boundaries, ignoring values, or compromising your integrity. These happen in small steps over a long period of time.
Depressed —
Burnout almost always feels like depression (though they are not the same). Your body is telling you that you've been neglecting self-care and it begins to shut down "non-essential systems" in order to get your attention. See a doctor to ensure it isn't physiological.
Burnout almost always feels like depression (though they are not the same). Your body is telling you that you've been neglecting self-care and it begins to shut down "non-essential systems" in order to get your attention. See a doctor to ensure it isn't physiological.
Bitter, cynical, or jaded —
You've been wounded and you don't know who to trust. These three defense mechanisms are trying to protect you but they may just be driving away others and the help that may offer.
You've been wounded and you don't know who to trust. These three defense mechanisms are trying to protect you but they may just be driving away others and the help that may offer.
Critical —
People may start to avoid you because you find something to criticize in everything they do. This is probably your own internal critic pushing its way to the surface. Pay attention to your self-talk. If it's highly critical and never shuts up, that's a problem.
People may start to avoid you because you find something to criticize in everything they do. This is probably your own internal critic pushing its way to the surface. Pay attention to your self-talk. If it's highly critical and never shuts up, that's a problem.
Numb —
We feel so much in burnout that sometimes we shut out our negative feelings. Soon we can't feel anything. People in burnout have been living this way for a while. We often need help recognizing and identifying our feelings.
We feel so much in burnout that sometimes we shut out our negative feelings. Soon we can't feel anything. People in burnout have been living this way for a while. We often need help recognizing and identifying our feelings.
Loss of love —
When we fail to engage in self-care our body and soul suffer. So, they shut down our ability to feel compassion for anyone else. This is called compassion fatigue. It's common among the caregiving professions. Self-care is critical to caring for others.
When we fail to engage in self-care our body and soul suffer. So, they shut down our ability to feel compassion for anyone else. This is called compassion fatigue. It's common among the caregiving professions. Self-care is critical to caring for others.
Isolation —
Burnout can make you feel like you're a dog that the whole world is kicking. So, like an abused animal we withdraw to a corner, hoping no one will see us. Shame and isolation feed off one another. The only way to break the cycle is to get help from a safe person.
Burnout can make you feel like you're a dog that the whole world is kicking. So, like an abused animal we withdraw to a corner, hoping no one will see us. Shame and isolation feed off one another. The only way to break the cycle is to get help from a safe person.
Addictive behaviors —
Alcohol, drugs, and sexual addiction often accompany burnout. More common are binging activities (eating, Netflix, video games, etc.). We are trying to numb the pain and shut out the world. As you know, this only works for a moment and the problem gets worse
Alcohol, drugs, and sexual addiction often accompany burnout. More common are binging activities (eating, Netflix, video games, etc.). We are trying to numb the pain and shut out the world. As you know, this only works for a moment and the problem gets worse
Look over the list above again. How many of these do you feel? The more you see in yourself, the more urgent it is that you ask for help from a counselor, coach, spiritual director, or a friend. (Finding help will be the subject of tomorrow's thread.)
How have you seen these things in your own battle with burnout? What would you add to this list? Are you willing to share your story? Here's mine, it's a blog post titled "The Year I Lost My Mind."
pastorsoul.com/2018/12/18/the…
pastorsoul.com/2018/12/18/the…
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