Navigating the Burnout Epidemic: A Vision for Change

My husband, my father, my nephew, my 2 best friends all of them have gone through a burnout. I noticed that when people asked them how they were, they found it hard to state openly - and acknowledge to themselves - they were having a burnout. Like it was something to be shameful about, like you weren’t tough or strong enough compared to others to deal with it all.

I personally believe that burnout can actually be a blessing in disguise. Although it doesn’t feel like a blessing when you are in it, you could consider it as a signal of the universe that it is really time for change. That you are on the wrong path.

I was asked by Keephub to write a column about it, as it is a topic that is often communicated about except by the ones in it or by those that support a loved one. Please find the column below. Hopefully it inspires. There is nothing to be ashamed of or to fear…let’s not keep things a secret, let’s talk about it!

In a world where we're constantly on the go and under pressure, burnout has become a big issue. It's like a storm that can hit anyone, but we often still keep it secret and don't talk about it. This is especially true for high-ranking executives. There's this idea that they should be tough and not admit when they're struggling.They often disregard the early symptoms of burnout because they feel incredibly responsible for continuing the daily operations and are aware of their role model status...

But it's time to change that. Bosses and leaders should openly show that they care about their own mental health and well-being. This is, in my opinion, truly leading by example. Talking about burnout is the first step in making things better at work for all workers. This way, you are truly role modelling as a leader because more employees than you think are struggling with their mental health.

Did you know that two types of people are at a greater risk of burning out than everyone else: women and workers under 30. Nearly half (48%) of 18-to-29-year-olds said they feel drained and women (46%) report higher levels of burnout than men (37%).

I overheard many conversations in the workplace in the last couple of months questioning how it’s possible that so many young people have burnouts. Questioning if this is correlated to the effects of the Covid Pandemic or to the intensity on social media and keeping up appearances

My husband, my father, my nephew, my 2 best friends all of them have gone through a burnout. I noticed that when people asked them how they were, they found it hard to state openly - and acknowledge to themselves - they were having a burnout. Like it was something to be shameful about, like you weren’t tough or strong enough compared to others to deal with it all...

What is Burnout? Burnout is when you feel completely worn out, both physically and emotionally. It's like a battery that's been drained.

The Crucial Phase in Burnout

One often-overlooked phase in recovering from burnout is the time between being sick and getting better. I refer to this phase as the 'luminous phase'. It’s a grey zone. A crucial transitional period where recovery and rehabilitation take place before re-entering the workforce.

This is a critical time when people are changing and growing. It is a time of transformation. To return back to yourself, listen to your inner voice and intuition of what’s right for you. Afterall, burnout is an indicator that you are on the wrong path.

I personally believe that burnout is actually a blessing in disguise. Although it most likely doesn’t feel like it, it’s a signal of the universe that it is really time for change. You are on the wrong path.

As soon as you accept this and see it as an opportunity to reinvent yourself and your life, to make new choices regarding your career, to seek a new job that fulfills your desire for living your life with more purpose, live life with more ease, to enjoy it more, to spend more time with the people you love, on what you love to do and how you can bring your energy and talent to work in a perfect job match. I promise you one thing.

There is nothing to be ashamed of or to fear…let’s not keep things a secret, let’s talk about it!

It's time to break the silence, create supportive workplaces, and prevent burnout from happening in the first place. By addressing burnout and taking steps to avoid it, we can build healthier workplaces and help people rediscover their passion and energy.

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