If you are burnt out but can’t quit

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I came to this forum to post this exact thing! I'm too close to my retirement benefits to leave now, but I'm so, so stressed out and making myself physically ill a few times a year from it. I have 6 years to go. I really wish I had more flexibility, but I also know I'll appreciate the pension in the long run.

I wish I could care less and coast a little more, but it's just not in me and as I've aged it gets harder and harder to handle the stress when compounded with older kids at home who need me.

A lot of people have pensions here, that's good.

I just have 401K. I guess there are many in that same boat as well.

[Anonymous]

It’s nice that some jobs permit people to coast. If I slack off for just a few days, it literally all falls apart. I have to be constantly on. It’s tiring, I wish my next job will be better.

[Anonymous]

My wall calendar has countdown numbers on it.
I'm like some other PP in that coasting isn't in my nature and the wheels fall off if I'm not at least nudging things along.

[Anonymous]

My responsible self needs me to hang on 10 more years for pension. The rest of me cannot and apparently will not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nothing. I’m a teacher and can’t go easy on myself or cut any corners or multiple people suffer and parents complain.

Thats because the parents are biiiiiig assholes.

[Anonymous]

I hear ya! Same here at cross roads and may just jump the ship~

[Anonymous]

Take vacation days, look for a new job, coast, talk to a therapist or your EAP.

[Anonymous]

I started going every other week to a massage at lunch. It saved me and helped me get back on track.

[Anonymous]

Find something you can enjoy, especially if it is a social connection. Maybe it's with a coworker, or maybe a friend who lives or works nearby who you can meet up with regularly.

If you once felt really excited about your job, it might also help to attend a conference or training or something that gives you a new perspective on it. I have found that this really helps remind me why I care about this work and what I find interesting, even when the day-to-day gets me down.

[Anonymous]

I left a toxic org that was exacerbating burnout, took a summer sabbatical, and found a flexible part-time position with less responsibility.

It was just what I needed. Good luck, OP! Burnout is very real and hardly sufficiently acknowledged or addressed.

[Anonymous]

- Stay away from complaining or negative co-workers. While it may seem validating (they totally agree that the office/department/boss sucks!), it only amplifies your negativity and brings on burnout.

- Seek out colleagues who can talk about things that are NOT work-related. Make it a game - first one to bring up work buys lunch next time.

- Speaking if lunch, get outside the office every day, rain or shine. Even if it’s just down to the corner and back (preferably further.) Change of venue, sun, air, stretching your legs is all good.

- Leave work at the office. Not just literally. But practice not thinking about or dwelling on work-related thoughts when you’re outside work hours. Dreading or stressing about upcoming events or ruminating on past events are both ways to cause burnout. Consider it a meditation practice. When your mind wanders to work, notice it and put the thought in a folder marked “for tomorrow, during the work day.” Then LET IT GO.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:- Stay away from complaining or negative co-workers. While it may seem validating (they totally agree that the office/department/boss sucks!), it only amplifies your negativity and brings on burnout.

- Seek out colleagues who can talk about things that are NOT work-related. Make it a game - first one to bring up work buys lunch next time.

- Speaking if lunch, get outside the office every day, rain or shine. Even if it’s just down to the corner and back (preferably further.) Change of venue, sun, air, stretching your legs is all good.

- Leave work at the office. Not just literally. But practice not thinking about or dwelling on work-related thoughts when you’re outside work hours. Dreading or stressing about upcoming events or ruminating on past events are both ways to cause burnout. Consider it a meditation practice. When your mind wanders to work, notice it and put the thought in a folder marked “for tomorrow, during the work day.” Then LET IT GO.

Really good advice.

[Anonymous]

Found a new job at literally 25% of my former salary. Doesn't matter, as my new job is not a toxic environment and I am so happy! Money isn't everything, as it really cannot by happiness

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Found a new job at literally 25% of my former salary. Doesn't matter, as my new job is not a toxic environment and I am so happy! Money isn't everything, as it really cannot by happiness

Wow thats a big cut, I'm considering taking a 50% pay cut and stressing a bit about that. But I can't wait to leave my current place so I'm counting on the emotional/psychological benefit to make up for the economic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s nice that some jobs permit people to coast. If I slack off for just a few days, it literally all falls apart. I have to be constantly on. It’s tiring, I wish my next job will be better.

My job has a production quota with biweekly quality reviews. There are no kick back and relax moments.