Entering the workforce after college can feel like a total shock. Say bye-bye to the days of sleeping in, late nights with friends, and doing whatever you want, when you want! A 9-5 is a major adjustment, especially in your 20s. As you continue in your professional journey, it's hard to tell if what you're experiencing is the “daily grind” or burnout and a total lack of work-life balance.
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Well wonder no more, check out these nine signs to tell if you've lost control of your work-life balance and are on the road to burnout:
1. Pain.
Never ending headaches? Shoulder and neck pain that just won't go away? Maybe that's your body's way of saying “Hey! Something's off!” It's probably time to step up your self-care routine. Creating an at home spa night can be cheap and easy. Draw yourself a bath, get your essential oils out, and let the stress melt away!
2. Exhaustion.
Not the, “Oh I didn't sleep last night,” type of exhaustion. I'm talking the constant perpetual state of exhaustion. The “fog” that won't seem to lift. Persistent fatigue is likely your brain saying it's on overload! When we feel exhausted all the time, it's our brains way of saying “hey, I can't keep concentrating or making decisions at this level! Give me a break!”
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3. Thin Patience
Short temper? Holding onto resentments? Take note if you're getting short with others as it could be a sign that your work-life balance is off kilter.
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4. Team No-Fun
Seriously, when was the last time you had some fun and truly enjoyed yourself? Take a moment to really reflect on that, because when we're overworked it's easy to lose track of time; and that fun outing with friends that feels like just last weekend? Well it actually may have happened six months ago!
5. Struggling Relationships
When was the last time you were really present for any of your relationships? If you find your friends/family often complain about never seeing you, that's a sign you may need to reprioritize your time. Furthermore, physically showing up for them is only half the battle. Take note if your mind is always drifting to work while your loved ones talk to you, that's a major red flag.
6. Messy Spaces.
A messy external world can actually overload the brain and lead to burnout! If your home and workspace are in a constant disarray, you may be adding to the problem!
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7. Phone-Hand.
If your phone is constantly glued to your hand, you may be experiencing “phone-hand” where the two become one ?. Listen, I get it, it's harder than ever to actually leave work at work. But, just because you get an e-mail at 8 or 10 pm does not mean you need to respond to that email. Take some time to unplug.
8. Priorities?
If you're asking yourself “what the heck are those!?” then you probably need to re-evaluate. Unclear priorities can make it hard to tell when it's time to say “no.” Which often leads to over scheduling and trying to do all the things. Your priorities should align with your work-life balance, which should shape where you invest your time.
9. Seeking Perfection
Perfectionism comes at a cost, often times leading to anxiety, depression, and zero work-life balance. Forget failure as a bad thing, instead think of it as failing forward. Each mistake is a step towards growth. Perfection isn't about having it all, it's about finding contentedness.
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Getting your work-life balance under control is essential if you want to avoid burnout levels. If any of the above situations are coming up in your life, look at it as a warning. Take some time to adjust your schedule and priorities to support your passions and purpose.
Adjust your schedule & priorities to support your passions and purpose.Click To Tweet9 Signs You're Burnt Out With No Work-Life Balance
1. Pain.
2. Exhaustion.
3. Thin Patience
4. Team No-Fun
5. Struggling Relationships
6. Messy Spaces.
7. Phone-Hand.
8. Priorities?
9. Seeking Perfection
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This was literally me this week. No patience, all of the headaches. I seriously need to work on this!
Sending you some positive vibes! Hope you got to relax some this weekend!
This is so spot on. I was totally experiencing all of this at one of my first jobs. Self-care is so important and if nothing else, that job made me learn how to take care of myself.
Exactly!! I am super grateful for the job I got fired from and everything that unfolded afterward for many reasons, but one major one is that it taught me boundaries around my work and a lot about self care and stressful times!
This is so wonderful post. These are great points and must share! Glad that I found this.
hahahahaha, 7/10 of these are me right now, but I think the biggest things are because I’m not taking care of myself outside of work. I haven’t been as focused or drive on my life “after work” and it’s definitely wearing me down. Time to get back into a routine so I can feel better and leave work at work!
Oh no!! But you’re also in an adjustment period with the new job! So give yourself some time! Excited to see the home updates and talk GOT!! We are a little past the firey “looting” scene and at beyond the wall and surrounded!!
Yessss, these are all such important warning signs! Especially the phone glued to your hand, if you feel like you constantly have to be on your phone – it’s definitely a sign that you’re on your way to burn out!
Exactly! I honestly leave my phone at home SO much! at first I had constant anxiety but it feels so freeing now!
It really is! Hope you keep getting some more!
I hope you do and that it helps her! <3
Great post! This past month was crazy and I was definitely feeling some burnout.