How do you navigate burnout? (hexbear.net)

submitted 4 days ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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I've been finding myself struggling with insane levels of burnout over the past few weeks and was wondering how others navigate it. I used to feel similar burnout as a child/teen and just withdraw for months or at one point years at a time with minimal socialization or just let hyperfocus consume me and get absorbed into a singular hobby often at the detriment of other things. When both of those don't work I would just set myself up to be overwhelmed with an impossible stack of tasks to induce anxiety as a driver. The first two I feel I can't do anymore due to being a lot more disastrous in adult life and also antithetical to what my current goals are.

I recently finished a master's program and around when that high ended I noticed the burnout creep in. I am trying to set other goals such as organizing a local chapter of the org I joined but all of my current goals are hinged on other people and their pace which I don't want to rush but I feel this soul-deep exhaustion creeping in that I know tends to suck me into listless and lethargy. I can't fully rest, but can't charge forward to maintain the runner's high anymore either and it's driving me a bit nutty.

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[-] [email protected] 8 points 4 days ago

Burnout SUUUUUUUCKS

It's this vicious cycle where you're exhausted but need to force yourself to do something, which just makes you more exhausted for the next thing. It compounds until doing anything just makes your burnout worse.

As much as possible, don't try to just push through.

Ultimately, you need to start ending your days with some gas left in the tank. How to do that is very personal.

For me, I needed to just sit and bask in doing absolutely nothing for about a month. I've noticed that getting out alone in nature is very recharging for me, and make time to go just go chill by a stream when I feel burnout creeping in.

I would also recommend being diligent about keeping your mind OFF the things that you're burnt out by. Meditation is useful, but I'll also notice my gears start turning on some stupid work thing and will trucker shift my thoughts onto something else.

For me, getting distracted with TV or video games doesn't help that much. I try to make time to just sit with my thoughts. Your brain will want to pump more stimulation into itself, but I'd recommend at least trying out setting aside some time to be bored. A walk around the neighborhood without headphones is a nice way to just let your mind wander.

Overall, I highly recommend taking burnout seriously as early as you notice it. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to fix it.

[-] [email protected] 3 points 3 days ago

GOOD post

[-] [email protected] 4 points 3 days ago

A walk around the neighborhood without headphones is a nice way to just let your mind wander.

Sadly when I go for walks if I don't have headphones or if the birds aren't particularly bricked up that day, the only thing I can think of is how loud tinnitus is or how surprised I am my hearing hasn't gone yet with how noticable it is. catgirl-huh

Thanks though I'll consider what I can try to do with that in mind.

this post was submitted on 31 May 2025

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