I’ve experienced burnout throughout work and education since I was sixteen. Usually around once every 12-18 months. I’ve accrued a lot of associated trauma.

For context, burnout for me is extreme depression and executive dysfunction lasting for months at a time to the extent I stop all work and social activities.

  • Buglefingers
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    6 months ago

    I can offer some suggestions based on anecdotal experience: First: find something that shares a foundation with a hobby or interest but is not that hobby or interest in itself. I.E. you like doing auto work for a hobby, do not go into automotive but look for things mechanically inclined instead. You need to protect the hobbies from the burnout/job.

    2: Realistically, think about how social you are or are capable of and find something in that industry that is close enough to that level of socializing.

    Tertiary: Burnout is more often a matter of when and not if. Having to put in excess time and labor or struggling outside of work because of it really adds to burnout mentally. So find a job that either compensates you enough or live a lifestyle that allows you to be comfortable with whatever compensation you’re getting. Don’t get me wrong, its easy to say “just make more money” but a lot harder to do so which is why lifestyle is extremely important too.

    So to put it all together, I would say find something you’re fundamentally interested in, that is not your hobby, find something that is adequate to your social capabilities, and make sure to take you time, and not be committed to that one place. The feeling of being stuck, or like it’s a necessity, adds to the feeling that it’s a must and that stress adds to burnout.

    For me, I chose CNC Machining because I’m mechanically inclined and I’m not the most social. The pay is decent enough to get by on since I live fairly frugally too. Edit: Except when it comes to bugles. I need a lot of that shit. Lmao