Canaries

in the mine

There are many ways to see a complex situation. It is not always clear how this can be approached. Here is one.

As there are many faces to most things in life, burnout is one of those complicated conditions that can manifest in various ways, affecting both physical and mental well-being.

One thing I cannot complain about is boredom. Quite the opposite, really. I am currently finding myself in a challenging situation where I’m grappling with various aspects of this beast: burnout. Below are a few of my thoughts on what I perceive is happening and what I am doing about it. I know this is going to be something much bigger than ever before. Growth and development can be painful, but also necessary.

Work overload has become a daily burden, as the demands of my job seem to constantly escalate. The sense of control I once had over my tasks has dwindled, making it difficult to manage my workload effectively. Despite my dedication, the rewards and recognition for my efforts feel insufficient, leaving me with a sense of under-appreciation. Moreover, the breakdown of community within my workplace has eroded the support system I once relied on, making the journey through burnout even lonelier.

These challenges are compounded by an absence of fairness in how tasks and responsibilities are distributed, leaving me feeling overwhelmed by an unfair distribution of the workload. I’m struggling with value conflicts, as my personal values and the values of the organisation seem to clash more often than I would like it. It is adding to the complexity of my burnout experience. This will need to be resolved sooner rather than later and I am on it. 

I have been affected in various ways. This combination of work overload, lack of control, insufficient rewards, breakdown of community, absence of fairness, and value conflicts has left me in a state of exhaustion, both physically and mentally. I often feel overwhelmed and drained, unable to find a sense of balance and fulfilment in my work. It’s crucial for me to address these issues in order to regain my well-being and restore my passion for my profession and for life generally. 

I cannot wait helplessly for others to solve all the problems. I believe others are also struggling, either with the magnitude and the complexity of the situation, or they are burnt out themselves.

It’s clear to me I need to take charge of my well-being. To combat work overload and regain control over my life, I have decided to prioritise my health. This includes adopting a healthier lifestyle, eating well, and staying physically active. I’ve tried to establish some consistency, and I often feel I have no energy for that. Work in progress.

I have also realised that I need to prioritise relaxation and self-awareness. As you can see, I have been also inwards, as it is up to me to see how long I should endure. Sometimes these decisions are made for you: indirectly by your body... we all know how it ends.

I’ve made it a priority to get away from the job when needed. Taking regular breaks and planning holidays used to be the way to recharge and disconnect from work-related stressors - this time it feels different and much more intense. 

I’ve sought social support, sharing my challenges with friends and family who offer valuable insights and a sense of connection. Their encouragement, patience (and also impatience) and understanding provide a crucial emotional safety net during times of burnout.

This is the beginning of a few things (a.k.a. Project Canaries in the mine - as a working title).

This time I get to choose whether I am a canary in the mine or not. The journey continues... until it doesn’t.