Sincerely Burned Out
Have you ever had the feeling that you no longer belonged in the places you once loved being in? Those things that once made your heart pound out of your chest, and your eyes light up only thinking about them no longer made you happy.
The friends you once loved meeting, the Sunday walks in the city center while enjoying your favorite red fruits ice cream under the gentle touch of the sun felt like distant memories.
That job you once loved so much. You would wake up in the morning earlier, ready to conquer another day full of complaints, chaos and yet so productive. You loved what you did and you were not afraid to take on whatever the day would throw in your way. You would pour your heart and soul into your work, and you would go the extra mile. Your energy was once so contagious that almost everyone in the team and nearby would feel it. They would not stand a chance.
You wanted to take on more, you started working more, you wanted to feel more useful, more visible, more appreciated by your work peers.
You worked extra hours, skipped lunches to make sure your customers would always come first. Your boss would always rely on you, even during your free time, to help with “urgent” matters.
Was there a report to finish even if it was the end of the day? “I could stay a bit longer to make sure it’s done”. Emails during holidays? “I’ll just connect for five minutes”. Those minutes became hours, and those hours slowly became your new life.
As the days, weeks, months went by, so did your energy. Then slowly, something changed. You changed. You were tired all the time. Those mornings you once woke up ready to conquer now became battles you surrendered to.
The job you loved so much doing was now an endless day of exhaustion and self doubt. You started questioning yourself, felt like you were no longer belonging in the place you once cast your bright so light.
Nothing made you happy anymore. The people you once loved to be surrounded by now felt draining to be around.
When did you stop coming first?
Written by Camelia Pavel