On March 11th, we reached our year mark since the moment that COVID-19 restrictions came into play, and it’s been hard. All of us have been separated from family members, friends, and distancing ourselves from others. It’s okay to not be okay. While we’re starting to reach the end, it is clear that there are struggles left to manage, and with the threat of a third wave caused by new variants, there is still much uncertainty.
COVID burnout is a very real reality within the university community. Speaking with co-students, profs, and staff at the university it is obvious that we are all exhausted. So why aren’t we treating each other with understanding and kindness?
During the past year, more work has been loaded onto staff, faculty, and students. Students have been given more school work to make up for time that would normally be spent in person. Profs have had to adjust to online teaching and manage all the technical aspects that go with it. But along each step of the way, acting like this is the new “normal” has been emphasized. It’s not. It is okay to be overwhelmed during this time period. It is okay to ask for more time on assignments, open about stress, and about the overwhelming workloads without feeling like you’re complaining. Mental illness, relationships, school, home lives, finances, etc. have all been impacted, oftentimes for the worse, by COVID-19. We are not expected to have it all figured out.
I’ve spent the last month anxious, tired, and depressed because my body was telling me it was done. I didn’t have time to take a break with the demands that COVID-19 has placed on me, but I made time because I had to. It is more important than ever to remember and be aware of COVID burnout. This is not over, but with self-care, and by reaching out to others, it doesn’t have to be as hard.
We are in this together.