I’m tired boss. I’ve had a really rough semester and I can’t look at my calculus without my eyes glazing over. Now that it’s time for the final I’m looking back at all the concepts I had “breakthrough” moments with… And I got nothing. Can’t remember a lick. I don’t have any gusto in me still, I’m already planning to retake the course but fuck me ive never experienced burnout like this.
Is this normal?
Changing workplace, if possible
Meaningful activities outside work
I’m sure you heard it already, but both are complicated, which is why people often stick with what they hate. But both are so important and true you need to find ways to achieve it.
For me, I found meditation to be the easiest point of entry into shaking my life up. It takes 10 minutes a day, requires near-zero willpower to execute (unlike, say, exercises, which are otherwise great), it helps me ground, relax and find out what I really think of stuff when I’m not pressured by a concrete wall of stress.
After that, YMMV. I found out I can safely gear down and live a better life with less load for a while, even if it means less income (not that I was rich to begin with, but one thing even worse than poverty is living at work you hate). I’ve found inspiration in nature, long walks, and finding small things that matter. I also found it in people and joined some local activism. And from there, I looked for ways to get back to higher income without compromising my integrity.
I still struggle with exercises and sometimes healthy diet, but I fuck off myself and do what I can, and know I do my best. Now I wake up with purpose and get to bed without regret. It’s not sunshine and rainbows, but way better than it was before.
Oh, and I restored my previous income, but with less pain and misery, doing what I like. I’m sure I could again pick a better paying career and earn twice as much as I do now, but screw it, it’s not worth it.