The Inevitable November Burnout

It hits with a vengeance. October goes cruising by — the epitome of fall, with all of its colors and promises of a peaceful semester — only to lead right into November. Like driving a race car, there is no swerving burnout; I will be soaring through the months until it causes me to stop suddenly, with a whole stretch of road left. 

November, of course, is rich with experience. There is the exciting Thanksgiving break and the inevitability of seeing the accumulation of all students’ effort come December. But, sometimes, having the energy to do any of it weighs me down like methodically placed stones on my back. 

I’ve noticed it especially more this semester. Perhaps it’s the junior year of it all, putting pressure on every career move I make as the one that could make or break my future. Or maybe it’s the new responsibilities I always take on each month, constantly working toward a goal that seems to get farther away with each day. 

I always fall victim to this “November burnout.” I have a grasp on my packed schedule and then — BAM! I’m running straight into a wall, stumbling, trying to find my footing while everybody continues to roll past me. 

I’ve spoken with many friends about this struggle and how to find the necessary balance. But do I truly listen to myself? Am I just falling into the cliché of not practicing what I preach? 

For me, burnout can feel very isolating. At such a competitive school, it’s difficult to make space to take an actual wellness break and prioritize yourself. Instead, I want to keep going. I’m afraid if it stalls, I’ll never be able to get the car to start up again. 

And I feel like, going into every semester, I am unstoppable. I’m on top of my work, my planner is decorated with a thoughtful priority list, and I have scheduled hangouts to balance the collegiate social life. I truly believe I will be able to manage it and prevent full-body exhaustion. That is, until I wake up one day with a familiar feeling of dread and the realization that all my energy has been drained out of me.  

If you’re going through burnout, you’re not alone. As limiting as it can feel, you will find your way to winter break without crumbling into a million pieces. But it’s also okay to ask for a break. Though I know it’s easier said than done, clearing your schedule for a day so you can just curl up in your bed with a calming book could be as productive as any assignment you’re still working toward. This also isn’t to say ditch school until the new year, but as career-focused as Emersonians are, it can be difficult to remember to prioritize yourself. Use these pockets of time and cherish them, rather than forcing yourself to reboot Canvas and stare at the same convoluted instructions. 

As creators, we must remember that our imagination can only grow through consistent care. If we let ourselves slip deep into creative burnout, we limit the possibility of expression. We owe it to ourselves — and the work we are passionate about — to sleep the eight hours, to eat consciously and holistically, and to call the people that lift our spirits. 

I’m aware there is no set “cure” to burnout. It possibly sits around, just waiting to cut the engine when everything else in life is finally falling into place. But we can still put in the effort; we can still care about ourselves when caring seems to be the hardest thing to accomplish. And the burnout will soon cease, giving way to brighter days and work that reinvigorates our minds and our hearts.

• #mental health
• #mindful
• #self-care
• #wellness
• health
• november