Burnt-out or Just Bored?- Spot the Invisible Storm

You're in your cubicle, sitting at that same old desk. You're staring at that presentation that's kept you busy for as long as you can remember. The coffee has gone cold, you feel that knot in your chest and your only thought is– “what am I even doing?” 

You notice that you are losing interest in your work. You are not fuelled with the same passion as you were in the beginning of your career. Almost as if your motivation has been lost in the fog and now you're just being dragged by your anchor. 

Let us try and decode the situation. 

Have you ever considered the possibility that you may be experiencing a complete state of emotional, physical and psychological exhaustion– what is known as burnout?

Or maybe there's a chance that you are exhausted, not because of stress but because you're not learning anymore. You are understimulated– in simple words, you're bored. 

Burnout and boredom can often mimic each other. In both cases, that “Monday” can feel dreadful. You may fantasize about quitting or wonder if you have “lost your wind”. Both of them are a storm in with their own destructive forces. But telling them apart is important if you want to remain afloat for the remaining voyage.

Seeing through the muddy waters 

When you experience burnout, your stress system- our beloved hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis is over-activated. The same hormone which earlier made you productive– cortisol– is now draining you out. This can feel like no amount of rest is ever enough. Motivation seems to have gone on a long voyage with a secret map and an unknown destination. Ripples feel like high tides and the Captain is struggling to recover. 

On the flip side of the deck, we have got boredom. This means that your “party chemical” or dopamine has not been as active as it used to be. Dopamine seeks novelty, anticipation or reward– anything that it can look forward to. It is like a ship just lurking in the ocean, waiting for that one strong wind to arrive. For you dear Captain, this means that time seems to have stopped. Every minute feels painful. Every task feels meaningless. You are on the search for the treasure of excitement but your compass has malfunctioned. 

Now that we know the difference, what can we do?

• Pause and feel the breeze

Reflect on what may actually be happening. Are you truly exhausted or just need a new challenge? Sit with your thoughts, Listen to them. Observe what is happening in your body. Allow yourself to feel. Evaluate whether you need to change the course or drop your anchor for a while. 

• Reconnect with the waters

Ask yourself what your work means to you. What is something that fills you with purpose? Research demonstrates that work that is seen in a positive light feels more meaningful. This reflects itself mentally as well as in behaviours such as making fewer errors or being more cooperative. Instead of viewing work as a chore, try to start a conversation with it. Develop an emotional attachment. Create meaning in everyday life– maybe explore new hobbies, revive old friendships or begin a personal project!

So Captain, before you decide to jump ship, consider what is going on. You cannot sit your way through a storm. Neither can you sail in still waters and no wind. The ocean remains endless and bewildering. And sometimes the problem is not that you do not know how to sail, you may just be catching the wrong wind.