Has anyone here experienced burnout from work? What does burnout actually feel like?
I’m at a point where I’m really beginning to struggle. Everything feels overwhelming, and I’m trying to understand whether what I’m experiencing is burnout.
I work in the care industry. Sometimes there is flexibility and a sense of balance in my role, but other times it becomes far, far too much, very quickly.
Last week was one of those times. I worked all week and late on Friday. On Saturday, I attended mandatory training all day, then went straight back into work that evening and worked until around 12.30am. I had been up since 6.30am to travel to the training. By that stage, I was utterly exhausted and every bone in my body ached. I also had to stay overnight and then work again early on Sunday morning.
When I finished on Sunday evening, I became unwell. I was completely wiped out and developed a migraine.
These kinds of stints happen regularly. I might have a period of calm and balance, but then it suddenly turns into long, demanding, nonstop stretches that feel intense and unsustainable.
Lately, every day feels like a hangover — even though I’m not drinking. I also know that another heavy stint is likely just around the corner. I don’t actively agree to extra work; it’s often added on or expanded after I’ve already committed to what was supposed to be a short or manageable shift.
I’m seriously considering changing jobs and possibly leaving the care sector altogether. I’m wondering if anyone here has worked in a similar role or experienced burnout. What did it feel like for you? And if you changed jobs, was the grass actually greener in another working environment?