Has anyone ever had such a high workload that they've forgotten what a normal workload is like?

[BrainLife]

My workload is huge. I have a caseload. I have reports to write. Training to deliver. Meetings. Emails. Research. Etc. I've reached a point where it's actually impossible to do my job properly, to a high standard. I've actually forgotten what an appropriate and manageable workload is like and I'm struggling, significantly. Does anyone else have a hectic job but one they love? Did you have to leave eventually? Did you ever just carry on to burnout?

When I'm at work I'm in charge of 30 kids at a time, not 4, so no it doesn't really feel like a vacation! I was a SAHM for a little while. Admittedly for only 2 dc, but it was a piece of cake compared with being at work. Plus of course, you still have to actually do parenting stuff when you have a job.

Until very recently I was a primary headteacher the workload combined with the responsibility was immense . If there wasn't a crisis you'd be waiting for the next one !
It's strange now I have so much more headspace even though I'm doing a masters course and hold down 2 part time jobs they all have start and finish times , if I'm unwell I won't go to work .

I'm not thinking and planning all the time .
Also because of changes in my life , kids leaving home etc my new life provides the same level of 'extra' income that my old life did . I don't even work full time now !

Yes i worked in mergers & acquisitions for a few years. I would get to the office at 7am and not leave until 10pm or later.

It was stupid, people were all stressed and tired and it had become an unproductive cycle where 90% of the people had to work long hours to get things done because they were too tired/stressed to perform well and it was pure presenteeism, dickheads competing for who could work the longest hours.

When i left it was amazing. People aty new job gave me funny looks when i wasn't walking out the door at 5.05, I got my life back.

Yes - over the past two years on a major project. My part was on the home straight but the project was delayed for six months as others weren't. I don't know what to do with myself. I've been working from home and finishing early etc.

That said I start my new role next week while keeping responsibility for my part of the project and managing team etc. so this relief is only short term.

I may not be a parent of 4, but I also brought up a DC (with SNs) while working FT and also dealing with a DH with long hours (and a period of 4 years where he spent just less than 2 weeks here and just over 2 weeks on the other side of the globe every month during the crash when DC was in early primary school).

I don't think that trumps the workload in work - it's just different. Very very different. As you have a far better idea about the timelines and expectations and are far better able to manage relationships and have more control over the outcomes than working at the various roles I have done in my career (mostly in 1 civil service department but across a very wide range of issues).

@Sheri99 what do you thinking working parents do when we're not in work? 🤣 Usually all annual leave is spent looking after the kids too.

And being a parent isn't a job. It's a lifestyle choice.

Another teacher. I work 4 days but easily do 5 days work in this time and am very efficient. I know I do more than many of my colleagues who are on a higher pay scale than me, which is somewhat galling!

However, I now refuse to do anything at weekends. The effort of setting and keeping to this boundary felt huge - almost physical - but I'm glad I have done it (can't say the same for evenings or my day off, however -that's the next target)

@Babbahabba I agree with you wholeheartedly. But you will find a lot of SAHMs say that they have a "job."