How do you guys know whether you are on your way to a burnout or whether you are just tired/complaining but have got more in you? I feel I have lost a bit touch with reality especially in these covid times at home 24/7 and I genuinely would be interested in hearing how you gauge your mental state these days?! Is it just me or is working and all these applications/waiting for outcomes/ keeping up with commercial topics taking its toll?! (Sorry for posting this here but definitely the most active thread so trying my luck)
I was actually thinking about this today, and how I'm worried I'm going to burnout, because right now working on my diss, worrying about my apps, and the weight of the lockdown is just making me feel exhausted. I sometimes can't drag myself out of bed and the thought of cooking dinner for myself is overwhelming (I live alone in a studio)
I go between telling myself to toughen up and just get through it, and reminding myself to be gentle/listen to my mind and body, but I'm not so sure if telling myself to toughen up is actually healthy or useful. It's something I'm grappling with. I saw an interesting tiktok (lol) where a girl was saying that we are the cause our own misery and need to work on becoming mentally strong , but that seemed highly toxic because a lot of what we are going through rn is a collective grief. So I tell myself that I'm allowed to complain, I'm allowed to feel sad and overwhelmed, but that I know for my own sake that I can't wallow too long or I'll spiral. So that's a very long winded way of saying to let yourself feel your feels, try to find things that uplift you to get out of your feels, and be gentle with yourself. It's okay to tap out for a day and watch netflix if that's what your body is saying it wants.
Edit: I think you'll also find that letting your emotions out rather than shoving them down will actually allow you to be more focused when you are in a place to work. I think that's the best way to avoid burnout. Be intuitive and listen to what your gut is telling you you need. Lol sorry for preaching