I’m tired of the “get rest” burnout recovery advice. Many of us have to keep working to pay bills and get medical care. So the real issue is not personal, it’s systemic. We need to force the system to support our rest. Not just the rest of the hyperwealthy.

If I might add, the amount of rest it takes to rebound is also *so much longer* than most people trying to give that advice will admit. Where I have seen it work, it’s been closer to a year off than the chill long weekend or whatever that plenty of people seem to think will do the trick.

yes. All of this. Times a thousand. (it me, I am burnout)

Seconded, or at the very least 6 months to some semblance of baseline, but definitely closer to a year to start feeling excited about things again – and that doesn’t just mean work.

Perfectly said. People manipulate us into believing it is our responsibility to figure out how to make the shit system work for us because those people created the shit system for their benefit

And a lot of data shows that’s rest doesn’t even fix burnout. It’s pervasive, and requires addressing the root cause.

* recover

(but on a serious note: I've found doing the small things that bring joy [swimming, reading, drinking tea] helps mitigate burnout. It doesn't 'reset' your mental state, but does curb against the anguish)

Community? Sharing certain workloads and tools.

That is called a "wicked problem". I shit you not, this is a real thing. This has been coined and written about since the 70's, not necessarily the specific tongue in cheek case you offer, but is about the character of absurdio like "chinese finger puzzle" issues: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wicked_...

Here's the worst news. You have to let go of whatever keeps you on the hamster wheel, find a a way to metaphorically turn 90 degress, head into new open spaces (it's gonna suck, but REAL freedom always does). Here's some new ways of looking at REALITY (might help?) www.youtube.com/@M.BrianPalm...

Gotta understand causes first, only then can solutions for ALL of us emerge out of the ashes of this clearly moribund and imploding end of the enlightement work slave/rent only system. You aren't working for yourself, are you? I mean, WE are letting the status quo define our choices, fear does this.

Slowly. Removing stressors, tasks, etc, to the extent you are able. Lower your standards for cleaning, response times to phone calls, texts, etc. Find the “good enough for now.” Again, as you are able, look at lifestyle, career, etc and decide if foundational changes need to be made moving forward.

Im glad you find it useful! I’m a therapist and find more and more people are experiencing periods of burnout or overwhelm. Being hard on ourselves or trying to force ourselves too quickly back to “normal” can just create a series of relapses. Gentleness is key.

All of this is really good advice!

Won’t be a wildly popular answer (for some), but what works for me — and a lot of activists who’ve been at it for decades — is a progressive spiritual community. It feeds and reaffirms; it reminds them they’re not alone, and of their shared moral commitments. (& is a community for joy, fun, sorrow.)

Burnout comes from working an unsustainable pace. You must reconfigure, renegotiating your posture with life. Reset boundaries and expectations. Reprioritize. Ruthlessly manage your time, making explicit room for yourself. Find the things that give you energy and do more of those things. That’s it.

I ended up exiting the system after trying everything else 🥺

Crash out, suddenly quit your job, develop an anxiety disorder and fail to find work for 3 years while living off your parents (in your 30s).

💔Hopefully it’s getting better…it usually does, but it’s hard to see sometimes when we are in the middle of it.

I'm a fan of crying in my car in the Taco Bell parking lot.

I work 12 - 16 hours a day everyday. And I smoke a metric fuck ton of weed

I have not figured it out 😞

Sell all your possessions and become a bag lady living out of a shopping cart ?

YOU TUBE VIDEOS

to me it was time management, to prevent from overthinking stuff when not working

AI has definitely helped in this area. If I would have had AI tools earlier in my career, I may not have burned out. The workload was too big and the hours were horrendous. Simply using it to help proofread communications saved me a ton of time in the year before I quit.

You must set hard boundaries and enforce those boundaries. Person and professional. Stand up for you. It’s hard but it’s working for me

Quiet quit.

Not all positions allow for this, but I tried the best I could before actually quitting. 😂

Don't carry a phone or watch unless they pay for it. Don't answer your phone or look at you watch unless they pay you to. Bill them a minimum of two hours or until you fall back asleep whichever is longer if they wake you.

Turn off your phone...go camping, take a fishing trip...rent a boat and sail to an island There's a life outside your bubble. Now,back to my bubble

I found I was much more content in the post-ambition phase of my career.

This is a long game, but I've found that opting out of everything not essential is freeing. Time you can claw back is the goal. Don't let yourself get sucked into meaningless performances or bs tasks. Refuse to play. Anything you can eliminate that sucks time for no good reason is a win.

We are the 4 Day Work Week Party. Our platform is simple: 🛑 Burnout ✅ 32 hours, full pay 💤 Rest is a right 🎨 Joy is non-negotiable 🤝 Chill is a political stance Work less. Live more. #4DayWorkWeekParty #VoteChill #RestIsResistance

Blankets and hiding

I was fortunate to be able to quit my high-stress and abusive job after almost 10 years. That was 5 mos. ago and I’m still not mentally or physically ready to look for another job. Clinical burnout is real.

If you find out, let me know.

The system wants you to burn out and then blame you for not taking enough baths or whatever. Meditate. Walk more. Drink water.

From personal experience it can take years to overcome, and unfortunately if it comes back it can feel worse. It is easier said than done, but if you can find outlets for the stress, allow space for how your body feels, fight numbness with joy... I’ve seen EMDR help as well.

Daily meditation practice, especially before sleep and when waking up. Far from being a “one-pill-and-you're- good” solution, it requires commitment, but it's truly effective.

Frequent naps.