Do you believe burnout disease is real? School, work, life, for anything really. I’ve been discussing it with my therapist lately, and I 100% believe it is a real issue. She gave me a handy little tool to kind of self diagnose what level you are currently at so you can take some steps into resolving that issue for you. She sent me the “Burnout Self-Test Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI)” which I will put the link in right here: https://www.prc.nm.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Burnout-Self-Test-2.pdf

I am struggling with burnout myself currently. Between the two full-time jobs and school full-time and house chores and just daily activities that need to get done I am just dragging at this point. I fully plan to discuss with my PCP about burnout and steps I can take to get better. I actually will be seeing her tomorrow so fingers crossed we get some answers.

But, I feel like my burnout is directly linked with one of my jobs. My main job that I have had for many years now I like, I truly don’t mind getting up and doing that job. School doesn’t really bother me, I get stressed out a bit at times but what student doesn’t? But this other job, I have been here for about a year and a half now, and I constantly feel like they are punishing me with what they call our “daily assignment.” When I started we rotated assignments had the opportunity to do all of the things, but now even though they constantly tell me I am a hard worker and great at my job and they are happy they have me I get stuck with the one assignment I loathe every single day. I am no longer apart of the rotation apparently. So, I wake up already dreading my day, making my mood terrible before I actually even get out of bed. Which I know isn’t good for anyone. And I can just hear it “Well Serenity if you hate it so much why don’t you just quit?” Well even with both of my jobs in this economy I am still paycheck to paycheck so I need a second job and at this rate maybe a third. I don’t want to leave until I am confident I have something to replace it. But, interviewing when you are always working also makes it that much more difficult.

Hence speaking with my PCP. I took the test and rank as high-level burnout in all categories. I know a lot of places now are considering burnout disease legitimate and will approve it through some form of leave for your job. Which exactly the route I am looking into at this point so I can focus on finding a job I enjoy more. I highly recommend if you are feeling like you are at the point of breaking due to burnout, go speak with your PCP. See what steps you can take to make sure you do not get completely burnt out or if you are already there what steps to take to get better. No job is worth you getting burnt out and hurting yourself in a sense. If you have questions about how my process went after I speak with my PCP tomorrow feel free to reach out and ask I will happily share what I did and the outcome.

Make sure you are taking care of yourself. Coming from someone who understands how difficult that statement can really be, I get it, but we need to make sure we are putting ourselves first even if it is just sometimes. You’re amazing, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise, including you.