How to Know If You Are Suffering From Pandemic Burnout
After two years of social restrictions, painful losses, and deteriorating work-life balance, many of us are tired and struggling with pandemic burnout. Statistics show that burnout was already at an alarming rate before the pandemic, and by June 2021, 74% of American workers claimed to have experienced it, thanks to Covid.
I share all of this because if you’re struggling with pandemic burnout symptoms like weariness, apathy, and defeat, I want you to know you’re not alone!
AND what if there’s more to these struggles than just the events of the last two years?
It may seem like everything’s up in the air, but I believe you can find your feet again, even amid all the frustration. How? By choosing to forget about what you can’t control (just for a moment) and focus on what you can control.
Ask Yourself These 3 Questions if You’re Struggling with Pandemic Burnout
1 — Have I stopped Dreaming and Started Settling?
I know what you’re thinking: “What does that have to do with anything, Jen? I’m burning out because I have two kids at home, my marriage is a mess, I have too much responsibility at work, and I get no support from my boss!”
Those are all valid frustrations, and I’m not diminishing them, but hear me out. When we stop dreaming, aren’t headed in any particular direction, settle for our circumstances and lose our drive to fight for more, we die a little inside each day.
I’ve discovered that age is a huge factor in this area. Many women genuinely believe they’re too old to start again. They worry they’ve peaked, won’t be able to learn anything new, can’t make the same money if they switch career paths this late in life, and battle all types of other fears.
That type of thinking will starve you of any hope and motivation to shoot for more; you can’t help but feel exhausted by life in that state.
2 — Are My Values and Choices in Alignment?
When we don’t live into our values, our dignity and self-worth take a beating.
Each person yearns for autonomy. Whether we’re aware of it or not, we violate that deeply human trait every time we relinquish control of our lives instead of dancing to the beat of our own drum. I believe that’s why so many people hate their jobs. Most don’t stay out of joy and fulfillment; they do it out of fear that they can’t afford to leave. And that’s no way to live.
Have you taken the time to dig deep and understand your values and beliefs?
If so, how closely do your current choices and circumstances align with them? If you sit back and analyze things, how much is genuinely outside your control, and what can you change by making different decisions?
3 — Am I Taking the Necessary Actions to Get Where I Want to Be?
Personal integrity is one of my deepest values, which is why I left my last job during the pandemic. The leadership vision and I were out of alignment, and my integrity constantly felt under attack. I had two kids heading into college, and I was scared out of my mind, but compromising my values was not an option.
So I took action.
I chose to fight for myself, do the interpersonal mindset work and start this business.
Many of you want more out of this life. And I know you’re tired and miserable. But are you willing to do something about it, or will you continue tolerating your situation even though you deserve so much better?
May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears.
-Nelson Mandela
Redesigning Your Energy: The Key to Feeling Alive Again
I don’t care how old you are; it’s never, never, NEVER too late to begin again! I reinvented my career at 45, and I’ve never felt more fulfilled than I do now. If I can do it, you can do it too.
When dealing with pandemic burnout, sleeping more, eating better, exercising, and other forms of self-care are vital. But it’s also crucial to grab hold of a vision and decide to fight for yourself no matter what. A sense of purpose will help free you from a state of constant defeat and misery.
Last time, I unpacked how understanding your energy type, becoming more self-aware, and identifying self-sabotaging behaviors are keys to getting unstuck in 2022. I also believe these eye-opening revelations will reveal how to start recovering from pandemic burnout.
If you’re ready to redesign your energy, connect with your deepest values, and climb out of your rut this year, hit me up for a free career clarity consult! Together, we’ll uncover the root causes of your agitations and formulate a strategy to help you take control of your life in 2022.
