Burn out

@Giraffe hey hi hello!! Welcome to the forums, friend!

Oh hey look, you also have an 'alphabet soup' of diagnoses!! Gets very dizzying at times doesn't it? Well you've come to the right place hey, we got neurodivergence up to our eyeballs here 🤣

Feel free to come join the ADHD space and the ASD space!!

Burnout is so tricky hey!! I think burn out recovery is EXTRA challenging these days, cos we live in a very hustle/productivity-focused society, and so like for me, tryna get proper rest can be hard cos I end up riddled with guilt over not doing enough... that in turn stresses me out which then means the burn out gets worse, not better.

I think it's about finding balance - carving out time for rest, having a look at priorities and figuring out where one can conserve energy, and nourishing those parts of us we might have been neglecting, like our creative energy or our spiritual practices, that kind of thing.

I also think this concept was HUGELY helpful for me when I've been recovering from burnout - The 7 Types of Rest Everyone Needs. Hope it helps you too!!

Good to have you with us 😊

Hello there, welcome 🙏

I’m sorry to hear that you’re experiencing burnout. I want to validate how you’re feeling and say that it really is a heavy and tiring thing- mentally, physically, and emotionally. Good on you for identifying it and joining us here. .As another one of our fellows said below, burnout is really tough in the world that expects us to always be productive, always hustling, studying, and working, while paying bills and trying to keep healthy and have it all together.
I share many of your diagnoses. I’m late diagnosed, and in the last few years it’s such a journey. I’m also in burnout, I had realised this before being diagnoses with AuDHD, but I didn’t know why. I thought I just wasn’t doing a good job with life. My first diagnoses were anxiety/MDD/OCD/ with years and years of panic attacks. All of that and work, study, life, Covid, everything really all lead up to it.

I think the first thing after acknowledging where you’re at, is to try to be kind to yourself.

Rest is productive and you deserve it. I think a practical thing you could explore is getting in touch with Student Services. You can apply for an adjustment plan, I think that’s what it’s called. I think your Dr needs to fill it in with request for what supports you might need. For example, extra time during an exam, perhaps flexibility with deadlines.

Another thing is, try to build in breaks. I’m the worst at this, and it does make things harder. Sometimes having a list of breaks can help. For example, sitting in the sun for ten minutes, having a glass of water, making sure you eat, going for a walk, watching a show. If you can, also good to try not to put pressure on yourself with these. It doesn’t matter too much which sort of break, but it’s good to do something you like and that feels good at that moment.

I know it’s really hard. Other thing I realised I do when it’s all a bit much, is isolate. Space for some peace is really good, but catching up with mates, calling family, even patting a dog- these are all good things.

I’m not quite sure how to solve it, it seems we have to ride the waves a bit. I think others will have good suggestions.

Finally, I’m not very good at this, but I reckon you’ve got it- accepting that it’s ok to need to rest and take things at a different pace. We are worthy. You are and lots of people here who know what it’s like, and here to support you.

Take care of yourself mate.

Thank you for sharing that list. It’s really helpful.

Thank you for this perspective, I have always felt guilty for taking breaks which has led me to not really be in the moment and relax.

Thank you for sharing the resources, will definitely be checking the ADHD space and ASD space

Thank you for the advice, I will definitely use the time method and break up my assignments. I think thats why I get so overwhelmed is because I look at the assignment in its entirety and have no idea when or where to start!