chapter 12: burnout is just vibes (and strategy)

therapist: burnout isn’t real. it can’t hurt you.
burnout:

• me lying in bed at 2pm thinking about doing work
• me opening a new tab instead of the one i actually need
• me watching “productive morning routine” videos at night
• me needing a break from my break

this'sn't burnout. this's called strategy.

people keep saying things like, “you need rest.”
from what?
i haven’t even started.

you can’t be tired if you never began. that’s newton's first law.

now, i know what you’re thinking: “cake, maybe you’re burnt out.”

wrong. i went through a diagnosis. i opened instagram and saw a reel that said:

“if you’re feeling tired, unmotivated, and questioning your life choices… you might be burnt out.”

and i was like, wow. relatable.

then the next reel said:

“if you don’t feel like doing anything, you might just be lazy.”

and i was like, wow. also relatable.

so clearly, they cancel each other out. being an expert at this, here's what i found:

symptoms of burnout (according to me):

• not doing work
• thinking about doing work
• not doing it again
• being tired after thinking

symptoms of laziness (also according to me):

• not doing work
• not thinking about it
• ordering snacks instead
• calling it self-care
• expecting cashback

as you can see, these are completely different.

i tried fixing it.
i made a to-do list.

1. wake up early
2. be productive
3. get a master's degree
4. change my life
5. drink water
6. $5

i completed none of them. except #6. (i sold bath water.)
but i wrote them all down, which is basically step one, and step one is the hardest step.
so technically, i did the hardest part.

then i tried resting.
people love saying “rest is productive.”

so i rested.
for 6 hours.
then i needed a break from resting.

balance.

honestly, i think the problem is expectations.
people expect too much from me.
including me.

so i lowered them.
all the way down.
problem solved.

in conclusion:

1. burnout is a mindset.
2. laziness is a lifestyle.
3. my therapist isn't real. it can't hurt me.

if you ever feel burnt out, just remember: you’re not tired. you’re buffering.

go take a break.
you’ve earned it. mostly.