What burnout really feels like...

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Hey there,

It wasn't the day I missed a deadline. Or the day I had a meltdown at work. The day I realized I was burning out was much quieter than that.

Last month, I found myself staring at my coffee cup for 15 minutes straight. Not drinking it. Not thinking about anything in particular. Just... staring.

That's when I realized something wasn't right.

We often think of burnout as this dramatic moment - crying in the office bathroom or having a breakdown during a meeting. But sometimes, it's quieter than that. More subtle. Like finding yourself unable to send a simple email, or staring at your coffee cup on a random Tuesday morning.

The thing about burnout? By the time you're googling "signs of burnout," you're probably already experiencing it. And here's what nobody tells you: The signs aren't always what you expect.

The Subtle Signs I Missed

1. The enthusiasm fade: Not a sudden crash, but a gradual dimming. Things you used to enjoy - like brainstorming sessions or client calls - start feeling like enormous tasks. It's not that you hate them; you just feel... nothing.

2. The sleep paradox: Either you can't sleep despite being exhausted, or you sleep 10 hours and still wake up tired. Your body is trying to tell you something, but coffee feels like the easier answer.

3. The social battery drain: You start making excuses to avoid social interactions - even with people you like. "I'm just busy" becomes your default response when, really, you're just emotionally depleted.

4. The decision fatigue: Suddenly, choosing what to eat for lunch feels as complex as a career decision. Your brain starts treating every small choice like it's life-altering.

5. The irritability spike: Small things that never bothered you before start feeling unbearable. A colleague's typing sound. The way someone talks in meetings. Everything feels... amplified.

6. The physical whispers: Headaches that won't go away. Muscle tension that no massage fixes. Your body starts speaking up when your mind isn't listening.

The Burnout Myth

Here's what surprised me most: Burnout isn't always about working too much. Sometimes, it's about working wrong. About pushing against your natural rhythms for too long. About saying "yes" when your entire being is screaming "no."

The Wake-Up Call

For me, it wasn't a dramatic moment. No hitting rock bottom. No public meltdown. Just a quiet morning with a cold cup of coffee and the realization that I couldn't remember the last time I felt truly excited about anything.

Take a moment right now to check in with yourself:

• When was the last time you felt genuinely excited about your work?

• How many times have you said, "I'm just tired" this week?

• What percentage of your day is spent on autopilot?

• Do small tasks feel unnecessarily overwhelming?

• Are you finding excuses to avoid things you used to enjoy?

Your answers matter more than you think.

The Permission You Need

Here's something I wish someone had told me earlier: It's okay to admit you're burning out. It's not a weakness. It's not a failure. It's your mind and body trying to tell you something important.

You don't need to be at the breaking point to acknowledge burnout. You don't need a dramatic story or a complete collapse. Sometimes, it's as simple as noticing that your usual spark is missing.

Think of burnout like a slow-draining battery. You might still be functioning, but at a much lower capacity than you're capable of. The good news? Recognition is the first step to recharging.

Next week, I'll share why most burnout advice fails (and what actually works). But for now, I'd love to hear from you:

• Which of these signs feels most familiar?

• What's your subtle burnout warning sign?

• When did you last feel truly energized?

• What small changes have you been putting off?

Here's to honest conversations -

Raihan | Mindful Maven | Self-Care Canvas

P.S. If reading this email felt exhausting, that's also a sign. Take care of yourself today.

Remember - sometimes the bravest thing we can do is admit we need to slow down.