How do you know when you are burnt out?

[OhBeAFineGuyKissMe]

Just as the title says really. How do you know if you have reached burn out?

You should know your own limits. If you feel like you’re burnt out and putting too many hours in you probably are.

i know some will think I’m a bad teacher for this but I stay only 1 hour max after my contracted hours IF necessary. Otherwise I just tidy up get ready for tomorrow and go. It’s the only way I can function. I don’t bring work home, I work at work. I will do anything and everything to have some balance because if I don’t I’ll get very ill and for me my health comes first. Mental and physical. If I’m not well I can’t teach well. I plan 2 days ahead. No more no less.

I know not everyone will agree but it’s how I function best.

Dont overwork yourself is my advice. Do what you can and the world won’t end if you don’t get everything done, make priority lists so you know what’s urgent like data etc and you know what’s not urgent.

If you're asking the question, you may already be there.
I know I'm struggling when basic tasks seem insurmountable.

When you realise you haven't been doing everything on your to-do list and the thought of going in again tomorrow to have yet more piled on you just feels so insurmountable.

When you are sobbing in the toilets and then in the head teacher’s office. When your head feels so muddled that you can’t get anything done.

When you are so SO tired but you can’t sleep as your head is racing with everything you need to do. I just want to hide under the duvet and not have to function at any level in my life.

I agree that if you’re asking the question you’re probably there, or extremely close, and need some time to regroup.

I emailed my line manager on Wednesday that it was all getting too much, which was a very hard email to write. He asked to meet that day but didn’t show so I went home after waiting an hour. I did get an apology text, but no reason given. Couldn’t meet yesterday or today. Not had any further contact. Feel totally flat and defeated now.

I love my job (and additional responsibility) but I can’t cope with it all. Don’t know what to do as my next step.

Take some time off. Use it to regroup and clear your head

Sounds like you are at burn out.

I cried in work to a colleague last year as I was so overwhelmed. I find my resilience deserts me, so any staffing issues etc push me to my limit and I have to rationalise how important theses things really are in life.
I cried to DP and she helped to get HT to listen to me. I worked out a 4 day week for a while. I'm now ft again and I'm at the end of my resilience and I'm done. Meeting this week and thinking of resigning but will discuss part time. Life is too short.

Take a day or 2 off with stress. You've expressed your issue and it's for them to come to you now.

Good luck!

When I start snapping at my own children.

it sounds like you’re already there. Take some time off. You can call it a ‘migraine’ or ‘flu’ for a few days, see if you feel any better after a rest, then ask your GP to sign you off if you need more time.

My body has made a decision for me and I now have a bad cold and am having a duvet day.