How do I know if I am recovered from burnout?

[Kumudu]

Nearly 3 months into burnout and I feel more energy , finally updated my CV this week and started applying for jobs; but I can’t wait to close this chapter and put everything behind me.

I have resigned and thought I return to pay the rest of my notice; basically because I don’t like to leave jobs in bad terms, I loved the first few years and want to say goodbye to my colleagues; but as time is approaching I am not sure anymore. I have 3 months notice but will be reduced to 9 weeks discounting 2 weeks sickness and 2 weeks annual leave.

Do you ever recover from burnout?

I feel like I need more time but not sure if this job has put me off work forever. I am not particularly excited about job hunting and having to sell and prove myself again, but it has to be done.

Yes, I can relate to that so much! For me, it was my team messaging me anytime something happened, they wanted support from someone they could trust but basically they dumped everything on me and they were able to forget whilst I was consumed by it because I knew what crap was coming my way!

It isn’t easy to find your path forward but it is possible and you’ve made the first big step by handing in your notice.

As I said earlier in the thread I do still feel my professional confidence is dented but in other ways, I’ve never looked back. I’ve got a much better work life balance and I’ve lost more than 3 stone and joined a gym so I’m much healthier and physically stronger. With more time, I think my confidence at work will come back, I get great feedback so it is just my perception of my ability that is dented a bit.

Hopefully in a year from now, you will be able to look back and see how far you have come too💐

It has its advantages; the time to heal and reflect on the situation, defining priorities, more time for reading, resting and exercising. I also lost a few kilos too; started swimming again which I always love but had not done for a long time. Thanks goodness for the good weather this year.

It will take time to rebuild my confidence but I am sure everything happens for a reason.

Don't go back to see out your notice

Hope you can take it as easy as possible xxx

Thank you.

I don’t think I can’t return, the thought of it started triggering some of the symptoms including the sleep disturbance which had gone back to normal.

My notice is until middle of November. I was thinking I would do the last week; but even that seems a bit much.

Will speak to my company case handler and the doctor this week and hopefully extend my leave until last day.

Thank GOD for the additional sickness benefit and the income protection. But even if I didn’t have it I don’t think I could return; would rather work in whatever job to make some money.

It sounds like the decision not to return before you leave is the right one for you. Hopefully you can now mentally move on from this job, focus on healing and giving yourself the space to do that. Give yourself a bit time before applying for anything else, unless you feel really motivated. Take the pressure off, building back up to full strength is rarely linear and has to be done gradually. Cut yourself some slack, no-one chooses burnout

Thank you; yes, I have already started moving on mentally, normal sleep and peace of mind are returning. Have started looking at jobs but have not applied to many; will cut myself a bit of slack.

I made a mistake to quit my job and jump into completely different job/s very fast. I had that need to prove myself. After 9 months of my burnout, I changed job while I didn't feel good. I stayed for 6 months, then another job for 4 months and then a job I loved but they did not like me, so they fired me. So I had 3 years moving around, without a specific development, still trying to prove myself and move on out of burnout trauma (because I had one. I was scared that is going to happen again.).
I started feeling better after 2.5 years and myself (without feeling depressed) after 4 years. But I had a heavy burnout, I could not even read a text sentence or sleep.
I gained a lot changing jobs.
I regreted I went to such adventure in short time, but on the other hand, I had the chance to see myself in different environments and see what works or not for me, while I am not in 100%. Currently I am looking for a job, but this time I took some months off to feel myself, and it really helped me.
If I looked back, I would start over in a low demand job, and develop slowly, so I have proper time to recover. Once I would feel better, I would jump to more challenging jobs. It was very tiring what I did after burnout, for almost 3 years to change jobs.
Burnout recovery is very personal. I would advise to hear your body, more than your ambitions or to prove yourself at work now. Just give time to yourself with an 'easy' job and when you feel better, you can become more adventurous.
You will feel that you have fully recovered when you start doing more for yourself than other, respecting your boundaries without feeling guilty and in general you feel in your flow.

Thank you for sharing. Sounds like you had a very bad burnout.

I have had 3 months off so far and by the time my notice ends it will be nearly 6 months. I have started looking for jobs but no rushing as don’t want to end up in the wrong role; however I don’t want to have a big gap on my cv which I will have to explain either. I don’t want to be changing roles either for a few years.

That's very good that you had completely out of work for 3 months. In my case I had only 3 weeks out and then I was for 8 months in a reintegration plan, building my hours and workload.
I wish everything goes well! I am sure you will find what works the best for you! :)
In my case, something I have noticed after burnout, I have low or not tolerance to people who cannot respect my boundaries or values. Unfortunately I needed to change jobs because of this and to avoid another burnout. My biggest goal is also I find a long term job that works for me and I feel myself!

Thank you; all the best for you.

I couldn’t face returning to that job so ending resigning and extending my sickness until the end of my notice which is another 3 months.

Burnout is horrendous and can take a long time to recover from. Don't rush back to work! I recommend both the book 'Burnt Out' by Selina Barker and also check out Dr Sarah Nicholls on Youtube who talks about burning out (as an A&E doctor) and has lots of useful information and helpful videos.

I have developed chronic fatigue syndrome and had to permanently retire through ill health and although long Covid is mostly to blame I'm pretty sure that I was actually at the point of burnout when Covid hit me. I'm 5 years in and still struggling. My best advice is to rest as much as you can and don't push yourself too fast.

Thank you for the recommendations, will have at look. I will try to relax and take it easy reg the job hunting.

Sorry to hear about your experience, doesn’t seem a good mix: burnout and long covid.