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Key points
- The state of boredom can be both mentally and emotionally taxing.
- Burnout is the result of chronic stress and overwork.
- Breaking the cycle between boredom and burnout involves finding a balance between challenge and relaxation.
If you feel like you swing between periods of feeling too busy, and brief periods of feeling not busy enough (and likely meet the criteria for a few ADHD symptoms), this post is for you.
I believe technology wires us to become increasingly less tolerant of boredom. To be honest, I dread boredom more than depression. And that brings me to the next point: I'm obsessed with my job. Most people work to live. Sometimes I wonder if I live to work. I love the work I do so much. I love it so much that sometimes it's as if I can't slow down even when I know I should. If I'm not careful, I can tend to work compulsively to the point of burning out occasionally. Although I've learned the hard way that it's vital for my self-care that I don't regularly work past 5 p.m. or before 10 a.m., I don't see myself fully stopping. Why, you ask? I have made a conscious choice that if I had to choose, given that I'd prefer to avoid both, I'd regularly choose burnout over boredom. Making sense of this has been profound, illuminating, and challenging, unearthing an ongoing conflict between two extremes of my mental, physiological, and emotional states. For many professionals, I believe, feeling stuck between these two can ensnare. Maybe it's the cost of being so infinitely fortunate to love what I do.
For those professionals who struggle similarly, let's see if we can break it down further.
Boredom
Boredom is a lack of stimulation, purpose, or engagement. At its worst, the scariest part of it, I think, is feeling unable to engage in any activity; it's arguably more uncomfortable than perceived. It is feeling restlessness, a sense of being stuck in a rut, or a yearning for more meaning. For some, boredom can be a result of monotony, too many gaps in one's schedule/routine, repetitive tasks, or a lack of challenge. It can feel like a void, where time seems to stretch on endlessly, leading to dissatisfaction. As mentioned, I believe we're all more sensitive to boredom these days because technology enables us to get used to feeling constantly entertained and being able to escape any present experience that feels even mildly unpleasant.
This state of boredom can be both mentally and emotionally taxing. On one hand, it can lead to lethargy and lack of motivation to take action or pursue new interests. On the other hand, it can also spark a desperate need for change or excitement, pushing one to seek out new experiences or challenges in an attempt to fill the void. However, these attempts to escape boredom can sometimes lead to impulsive or unproductive behaviors, creating a cycle of short-lived satisfaction followed by a return to the same, progressively dreaded state of ennui. It's clear to me that the energy of boredom can lead to craving so much stimulation which can lead to burnout, and the cycle continues!
Burnout
Burnout, in contrast, is the result of chronic stress and overwork. At its worst, everything feels dreaded, impossible, and overwhelming in burnout. It is emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion that occurs when one is overwhelmed by their responsibilities and unable to meet constant demands—coupled with a perceived lack of control. Burnout comes with cynicism, detachment, and a sense of ineffectiveness or failure. Unlike boredom, which stems from a lack of activity, burnout is the result of too much activity without sufficient rest or balance.
For individuals like myself who are prone to the cycle of burnout, life can feel like a never-ending series of obligations, with little to no time or energy left for personal interests or self-care. This relentless pressure can lead to a decline in overall well-being, straining one's work, personal relationships, and health. I can attest that exhaustion from burnout is not easily remedied by rest alone (too much rest can leave us bored); it often requires a fundamental change in lifestyle, work environment, or mindset to recover fully.
The Tug-of-War Between the Extremes
For me, the struggle between boredom and burnout is an outgoing tug-of-war as I oscillate between periods of brief inactivity and overwork/stimulation. As said, the energy of boredom can lead to craving so much stimulation that which leads to burnout. Needed rest can then lead to boredom, and the cycle continues! This pattern can create a sense of instability, where I can, if I'm not careful and conscious, never feel truly at peace or satisfied (despite how amazing my life on paper is). The cycle often begins with consecutive long days leading to burnout. When I reach that breaking point, I usually retreat into a state of rest or inactivity for recovery. However, as my boredom sets in what is the time when I rest longer than one to three hours, I then feel compelled to take on new challenges or responsibilities, leading to a resurgence of activity and, eventually, another bout of burnout.
This cycle for me has been deceptively difficult to break. Boredom leads to a sense of aimlessness and dissatisfaction; burnout can cause emotional and physical exhaustion. Finding a balance between these two extremes requires self-awareness, self-compassion, and a willingness to make changes in my life. Ironically, I don't think I'm ready to make a drastic change yet.
Strategies for Balance
Breaking the cycle between boredom and burnout would involve finding a balance between activity and rest, challenge and relaxation. This word, I believe, requires setting clear boundaries between work and personal life, prioritizing self-care, and seeking out activities that are both fulfilling and manageable. It gets complicated though when I honor the fact that my work is so meaningful and so satisfying to me that I often work for self-care as well. I'd be remiss though not to see the truth staring me in the face that I'm called to take proactive steps to address it before it becomes overwhelming.
For me, mindfulness, quality time with my wife, friends, and family, and stress management techniques have been helpful in navigating balance, as they encourage a focus on the present moment and a recognition of my limits. Additionally, seeking support from friends, family, and my therapist has provided valuable perspective in navigating this, intriguing recurring cycle.
Ultimately, I don't believe I'm alone in this. I am sure that the struggle between boredom and burnout is a common experience in today's fast-paced and demanding world. By acknowledging this struggle and taking steps toward balance, I (and you) can work, gradually, towards a more sustainable and fulfilling way of life, in which we are neither overwhelmed by our responsibilities nor left yearning for something more.
To find a therapist, visit the Psychology Today Therapy Directory.
