Burnout: we’ve all experienced it. You feel unstoppable one day, getting everything done and feeling like an overachiever. Some time goes by, and suddenly all you want to do is rot in your bed on your phone. You know it’s bad, and you know you have work to get done, but you just can’t help it. It just feels like doing anything is too much at this point.
This issue is universal, and nothing to be ashamed of. Unfortunately, however, it’s unproductive and might even last a long time. Since you have a lot to get done, there’s luckily ways to get past burnout, and plenty of ways to avoid falling into this trap as well.
When trying to be productive, it’s extremely important to remember that you aren’t a machine. Although it may seem like you have the energy to do it all on some days (and maybe you can), it’s not good to push yourself into an unhealthily productive situation. Eventually, just like everyone else, you’ll grow tired of this and burn out. In order to avoid this, it’s important to set realistic expectations for yourself.
Always remember that a planner and calendar will be your best friend. By keeping track of your responsibilities and planning when to do things, you can maximize your time. Instead of getting a lot done in a short amount of time and then taking a long hiatus due to the burnout, do a manageable amount of work every day, successfully avoiding that period of burnout.
It’s also important to remember to schedule time for yourself. It’s good to schedule so you can leisurely work at your own pace without getting overwhelmed, but it’s also important to take those breaks. Burnout is your body’s way of telling you that you’re doing too much. To avoid losing control of your productivity, be in control of the breaks before they control you. Find what you love to do and what relaxes you and schedule the nonnegotiable time to do it.
Now, let’s pretend you didn’t do any of this. You’re stuck in a period of endless burnout and you have no motivation to do anything. You know you have many responsibilities that need your attention, but you just don’t see that happening.
The key to this is to not beat yourself up over it. We’re all human, and we all need rest. Taking that break is exactly what you need. Stressing yourself out over your situation will only exhaust you more. Once you accept that you need a break and choose to take that break, you will already be on your way to getting past the burnout.
Finding ways to refresh yourself also plays a huge role in getting through burnout. “Taking a break” doesn’t have to be doomscrolling until your mind is numb. It can also be going out and doing something you love, hanging out with friends, or taking a rest day where you read a book or watch a movie. By using your time in a way that makes you feel like you get something positive out of it, you’re already resetting your mind into productivity mode, whether you feel that way or not. Just the mere action of doing something might help you feel a bit more rejuvenated.
Another great motivator is reminding yourself why you need to get things done. After you’ve taken your break, you realize you still have a long and untouched to-do list. This isn’t something to fret over. The list is long because it’s filled with things that are meaningful to you in some way. Maybe it’s classwork, extracurriculars, or things you need to get done for your loved ones. These may be daunting tasks at times, but they’re all important to you for one reason or another. Reminding yourself why these things need to get done might help you find the motivation to actually sit down and do them.
If you’re at a loss for things to do during your personal break, you can also journal or create a vision board. If you take some time to reflect on what matters most to you and your goals, you might find the motivation to get back up from the burnout. Your to-do list isn’t a waste of time and reframing the tasks as doing something you find meaningful is the perfect way to fight the fire of burnout.