How do you deal with burnout?

Michaeldoods

Michaeldoods

Regular Member
Bronze Star
Joined
Mar 17, 2025
Messages
52
Reaction Score
70
Feedback
0 / 0 / 0
I feel like I've been burned out for years. If you don't know what that's like, it just feels like every little task you do in work sucks the life out of you.

Yeah yeah, I know the answer is simple, just quit your job. But when you have bills to pay and can't just up and quit without losing your home, then you know.

I feel like I need to make work just a little more manageable until I can find something better or until some of my projects start panning out. Does anyone here have any tips on how to handle burnout?
 
Michaeldoods said:
I feel like I've been burned out for years. If you don't know what that's like, it just feels like every little task you do in work sucks the life out of you.

Yeah yeah, I know the answer is simple, just quit your job. But when you have bills to pay and can't just up and quit without losing your home, then you know.

I feel like I need to make work just a little more manageable until I can find something better or until some of my projects start panning out. Does anyone here have any tips on how to handle burnout?
Click to expand...
Honestly...

Everyone deals with it differently, what works for me won't work for you and so on.

What's your routine like? Do you have one? Are you working ALL the time? You need downtime if so.

I can often keep burnout away just by hitting the gym, taking regular breaks, making sure I have a weekend to myself or with the family, no work. I do one long run a week and just have music blasting when I run and I find that tends to help recharging.

Last year I suffered badly with it, I just had enough. A combination of work and life stress, I wasn't enjoying what I was doing at all, I ended up having a total of 16 weeks off with phased returns back to work. I just had enough, I was even going to sell up! I really hit rock bottom I took days and weeks off just doing nothing or anything other than my day to day I hated myself for it as well, I've never been a sit on the sofa guy and do nothing but I just had no motivation I think I was burnt out with depression as well.

It's hard to talk to people about work as every business is different, even if you talk to someone in the same industry, it's all different plus I often find talking to other business owners, they are never that honest or transparent either which doesn't bloody help on times.

Since then I now set aside 1 day a week for personal development even if it's a lazy day and gym or whatever or I try to do something totally different on that day I've been finding that helps a lot.

So my advice:

Take "me" time.
Start running
 
Typical "hustler" mentality burnout, thinking every moment of the day should be about making "more", people needs to adapt their time/money debts so they can live too.
 
Dopious said:
Typical "hustler" mentality burnout, thinking every moment of the day should be about making "more", people needs to adapt their time/money debts so they can live too.
Click to expand...
correct
relaxing is a big part of gains
 
t2van said:
Honestly...

Everyone deals with it differently, what works for me won't work for you and so on.

What's your routine like? Do you have one? Are you working ALL the time? You need downtime if so.

I can often keep burnout away just by hitting the gym, taking regular breaks, making sure I have a weekend to myself or with the family, no work. I do one long run a week and just have music blasting when I run and I find that tends to help recharging.

Last year I suffered badly with it, I just had enough. A combination of work and life stress, I wasn't enjoying what I was doing at all, I ended up having a total of 16 weeks off with phased returns back to work. I just had enough, I was even going to sell up! I really hit rock bottom I took days and weeks off just doing nothing or anything other than my day to day I hated myself for it as well, I've never been a sit on the sofa guy and do nothing but I just had no motivation I think I was burnt out with depression as well.

It's hard to talk to people about work as every business is different, even if you talk to someone in the same industry, it's all different plus I often find talking to other business owners, they are never that honest or transparent either which doesn't bloody help on times.

Since then I now set aside 1 day a week for personal development even if it's a lazy day and gym or whatever or I try to do something totally different on that day I've been finding that helps a lot.

So my advice:

Take "me" time.
Start running
Click to expand...
I absolutely love this... How we handle burnout varies from person to person and it is usually about developing a pattern that works for you or establishing a routine.

For me, I've realized that going to play football and spending time at the park on the weekend is like fuel for me for the coming week, and I usually feel good with myself afterward

Also bout once a week... I try to go to the park and work for 3-5 hours then chill there for another hour before leaving.
 
Burnout is a common issue that many entrepreneurs face, but it often depends on the circumstances you're in. Simply going out and stepping away from work can be helpful, and it's even better if you have someone to talk things through with.

Engage in activities you currently enjoy or used to enjoy. If you're unsure what you want to do, try something you've seen in a video or a photo that you've always been curious about. You never know where it might lead—you could end up discovering a new hobby that genuinely interests you.

The goal is to keep yourself engaged with other things that can distract you or help you disconnect from the burnout.
 
t2van said:
Honestly...

Everyone deals with it differently, what works for me won't work for you and so on.

What's your routine like? Do you have one? Are you working ALL the time? You need downtime if so.

I can often keep burnout away just by hitting the gym, taking regular breaks, making sure I have a weekend to myself or with the family, no work. I do one long run a week and just have music blasting when I run and I find that tends to help recharging.

Last year I suffered badly with it, I just had enough. A combination of work and life stress, I wasn't enjoying what I was doing at all, I ended up having a total of 16 weeks off with phased returns back to work. I just had enough, I was even going to sell up! I really hit rock bottom I took days and weeks off just doing nothing or anything other than my day to day I hated myself for it as well, I've never been a sit on the sofa guy and do nothing but I just had no motivation I think I was burnt out with depression as well.

It's hard to talk to people about work as every business is different, even if you talk to someone in the same industry, it's all different plus I often find talking to other business owners, they are never that honest or transparent either which doesn't bloody help on times.

Since then I now set aside 1 day a week for personal development even if it's a lazy day and gym or whatever or I try to do something totally different on that day I've been finding that helps a lot.

So my advice:

Take "me" time.
Start running
Click to expand...
I just feel like I’m working all the time. Like it doesn’t even feel like a routine, just droning away on some mindless tasks. Work cracks a whip on me sometimes so that isn’t helping.

I really appreciate you sharing what you went through here man. It really helps to know about others who have gone through this.

I think I do need some me time. I used to have hobbies I enjoyed before work became my life. I think I’ve got to find a way to make that time for myself.

Thanks again man.
 
Michaeldoods said:
I just feel like I’m working all the time. Like it doesn’t even feel like a routine, just droning away on some mindless tasks. Work cracks a whip on me sometimes so that isn’t helping.

I really appreciate you sharing what you went through here man. It really helps to know about others who have gone through this.

I think I do need some me time. I used to have hobbies I enjoyed before work became my life. I think I’ve got to find a way to make that time for myself.

Thanks again man.
Click to expand...
Are you self employed or working for somone?

Just confused on the cracking the whip comment. Might be able to suggest some tips depending on how you answer.
 
Got a bit of free time now so...

If your working for your self and you got burn out it can be a real shit. More so because the circle normally goes like:

I need money > no work coming in > spending time working bringing work in > no work comes in > fuck it.

That's a sort of cycle I think people find them selfs in. It can also be because they work ALL the time and not take time out.

Regardless of the issue your better off easing your self back into it. So my advice to anyone would be to set

3 goals for the day (don't make it shit like, I'll have breakfast)

Give your self 3 daily jobs to do (make them different if possible daily)

Day 1.

Craft Email
Start outreach research
Pitch for some work on some platform.


Once you do them 3 things I you want to take the day off thats OK. If you feel you can keep working take a job from tomorrow and tag that onto the list then stop for the day.

Work through the week doing Day 2, 3, 4 & 5 the same weekends you have totally off.

This ay you can ease back into work Start to build up a routine for your self and get used to just working to a productive job list.

As your headspace improves tack on an extra job each day just so you start to develop a work ethic for working at home or working for your self. It's hard but it helps.

It helps with procrastination as well because as long as you complete whatever jobs you assign your self taking the rest of the day off isn't so bad.
 
Michaeldoods said:
I feel like I've been burned out for years. If you don't know what that's like, it just feels like every little task you do in work sucks the life out of you.

Yeah yeah, I know the answer is simple, just quit your job. But when you have bills to pay and can't just up and quit without losing your home, then you know.

I feel like I need to make work just a little more manageable until I can find something better or until some of my projects start panning out. Does anyone here have any tips on how to handle burnout?
Click to expand...

It's different while working for other people as opposed to working for yourself. If you are working for someone else, consider a side hustle maybe.

I have just had 2 weeks away, replied to about 20 work emails in that time at the most, and I enjoyed the break.
 
MisterF said:
It's different while working for other people as opposed to working for yourself. If you are working for someone else, consider a side hustle maybe.

I have just had 2 weeks away, replied to about 20 work emails in that time at the most, and I enjoyed the break.
Click to expand...
It's becoming real clear to me that I just need to take that time to myself. A side hustle sounds like a good way to get some more independence too.

Appreciate the advice.

t2van said:
Got a bit of free time now so...

If your working for your self and you got burn out it can be a real shit. More so because the circle normally goes like:

I need money > no work coming in > spending time working bringing work in > no work comes in > fuck it.

That's a sort of cycle I think people find them selfs in. It can also be because they work ALL the time and not take time out.

Regardless of the issue your better off easing your self back into it. So my advice to anyone would be to set

3 goals for the day (don't make it shit like, I'll have breakfast)

Give your self 3 daily jobs to do (make them different if possible daily)

Day 1.

Craft Email
Start outreach research
Pitch for some work on some platform.


Once you do them 3 things I you want to take the day off thats OK. If you feel you can keep working take a job from tomorrow and tag that onto the list then stop for the day.

Work through the week doing Day 2, 3, 4 & 5 the same weekends you have totally off.

This ay you can ease back into work Start to build up a routine for your self and get used to just working to a productive job list.

As your headspace improves tack on an extra job each day just so you start to develop a work ethic for working at home or working for your self. It's hard but it helps.

It helps with procrastination as well because as long as you complete whatever jobs you assign your self taking the rest of the day off isn't so bad.
Click to expand...
Damn really appreciate this write up. I can see you know your stuff.
 
You’ve already got really good advice here already, so I’ll just add this quickly.

Something you should keep in mind is that it is not bad to take a break. It’s easy to feel guilty about it, but if you want to feel like you’re being productive, you should remember that you are less productive if you are working constantly and are becoming more and more miserable. People aren’t machines - they need leisure and rest.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forums

  1. Office Outlaw
    1. Announcements
    2. Site Guides
    3. Newcomer’s Camp
    4. The Saloon
    5. Forum Suggestions
  2. Internet Marketing
    1. SEO Discussions
    2. Online Income
    3. Website Building
    4. E-Commerce
    5. Social Media
    6. Content Writing & Copywriting
    7. Pay-Per-Click
    8. Domains & Hosting
  3. General
    1. AI Solutions
    2. Automations
    3. Cryptocurrency
    4. Work Life
    5. Business
  4. Support & Utility
    1. Privacy & Security
    2. Journeys
    3. The Rendezvous Point
    4. Tools At The Forge
    5. Giveaways & Discounts

Trading Post

  1. The Trading Post
    1. The Trading Post Rules
    2. Content Services
    3. Domain & Website Listings
    4. Graphic Design Services
    5. Hosting Providers
    6. Proxy Services
    7. SEO Services
    8. Social Media Services
    9. Software Services
    10. Web Design Services
    11. Miscellaneous Services
    12. Signature Rentals
    13. Wanted: Goods & Services
    14. Partnerships
    15. The Tribunal

Outlaws Online

Total: 156 (members: 21, guests: 135)
Robots: 122

Forum Statistics

Threads
1,859
Messages
23,545
Outlaws
352
Latest Outlaw
liuliuc766
Back
Top