How are You?
Hello Rakstars,
How are you? No seriously, how are you? It’s funny – we ask this to each other every time we see one another, whether it’s meeting someone in person or over an email. Even, over a MS Teams call.
Hey!
Hi, how are you?
Good. How are you?
Good.
What does Good really mean? Does it mean you are flying high with the sky as no limit or does it mean you are stressed, depressed and blessed. Everyone’s good seems a little different. The phrase – How are you? – is just a courtesy of being nice, but in today’s world, it doesn’t mean anything. If people were honest with how they were, the conversation would go a little like this:
Hey!
Hi, how are you?
Tired, haven’t been able to sleep.
Oh no, sorry to hear that. Hope all is good though.
Yes, just no sleep has been affecting me lately. How are you?
Well, I hope you can get a good night’s rest. I’m super excited.
Oh, how so?
In a couple of days, I’m taking a trip to Europe for my anniversary.
That sounds like a lot of fun.
It sure is.
In the end, even though we are not good as per the definition of good – which we sure you know it but if not, it means fine. What can be the major cause? Well, if you haven’t guessed it by the title, it’s burnout.
School
Burnout can look like different things to people depending on their social circumstances. The first time you ever experienced burnout may have been in an academic setting. School!
Uncertainty, trying to get that grade and everything in between, helps to cripple that fear within students. Standardized testing and life’s expenses can cause students to be drained and mentally exhausted. The pressure cooker of education is a breeding ground for burnout.
Workplace
But burnout doesn’t end there, no it does not. Once a student transitions to the workplace, burnout intensifies to the real world. Jobs, gigs, side hustles and the 24/7 challenge of being the professional person you ought to be vs your authentic self where the pressure to climb the corporate ladder intensifies with every colleague, every manager and every boss.
Social Media
Did you think that was enough? No way! There is one more aspect that creates another burnout. The desire and influence of social media. The constant pressure by peers to have an active social media channel where you create unrealistic expectations. Where you compare your life to others, creating stress upon yourself.
Welcome to the Burnout Epidemic!
Life doesn’t have to be this way. Yes, these burnout stressors are not able to be erased or let alone, gone in a flash. But one thing’s for sure, they can fade depending on you. Remember Rakstars, you are in control of your own life. Which means only you and you only can recognize when you are feeling too overwhelmed. Thus, you know when it’s time to combat the burnout.
You must prioritize your mental health and well-being. If faced in a situation where you feel it’s all too much. Stop and breathe! Take a break. Walk away. Then come back to the situation. Let your mind heal in the situation’s absence. This is the only way you can come up with viable solutions. If this doesn’t help, then talk to someone. Anyone! If you are shy and can’t afford a therapist. Go to your librarian. Speak with a stranger on the bus. If you can’t handle the stress, then do not. Adjust your life accordingly. Try flexible work arrangements, stress management programs, go part-time as a student. Learn to love yourself first. This can help alleviate your burnout.
However, Rakstars, if you know you have experienced burnout in the past, then you know that you need to work at your pace that suits you. This means take those breaks and prioritize your self-care.
- Set boundaries with yourself: Don’t overbook your calendar, say no to people and know when it’s time to hit the bed.
- Practice Mindfulness: Write in your journal, meditate and do things that make you happy.
- Maintain a Healthy Work-Life Balance: Work and exercise. Work and take care of yourself. Work to the point where you feel you have done enough and can switch to your life. Remember you can’t spend the whole day working, you need some time to add your life into it, thus the work-life balance equilibrium.
Work = Life
(What we try to aim for)
Work > Life
(Big No!)
Work < Life
(Depends on your needs)
Rakstars, try to create a vision of yourself where you value the culture of rest and rejuvenation. This is the way to break that nasty burnout. Don’t get yourself to the burnout stage. Plan in your calendar some time for your self-care activities whether it’s taking a walk or a facial. You need it. You deserve it. It is essential so that you do not face the bad burnout. Your body and soul will thank you.
Burnout is a multifaceted challenge created by pressure of society and life comparisons. By understanding and acknowledging about your past burnouts and your current burnout, you must implement strategic supportive measures. Prioritize your mental health so that you can create your own path to calmness.
No one is going to do it for you. Schools, corporations, social media – they are running their own show. Rakstars, you are in charge of your show. So take center stage and rock on your day!
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- Photo by Tara Winstead
