People Are Using the Hashtag #SignsImBurnedOut to Say How They Know They Are Burned Out

On Saturday, Twitter users began using the hashtag #SignsImBurnedOut to share how they act and feel when they are burned out. The conversations surrounding the hashtag highlighted the reality that burnout can affect your mental and physical health.

Mighty contributor Helen Zhang is familiar with how burnout can affect everyday functioning. In her piece, “Why I’m Actually Thankful for My Mental Health ‘Burnout,’” she wrote:

I burned out because I worked myself to the limit. I forgot I am human. Truth is, I set unreachable standards and force myself to reach them. I give myself too much pressure and then beat myself when I hit the breaking point. Burnout is my body’s alarm clock: it wakes me up to the fact I need to slow down.

If you can relate, you’re not alone. Burnout has been a hot topic of conversation in recent years. So much so that in May, the World Health Organization redefined burnout as a syndrome “resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.”

Below, we’ve included the “signs” that let Twitter users know they were feeling burned out:

1. Their Mental Health Suffered

#SignsImBurnedOut I don't need a mental health day…I need a month.

— Persnickety Ricky ???? (@rickchard_rick) November 30, 2019

Psychosis #SignsImBurnedOut pic.twitter.com/c92HFTi46g

— ????Michael – Home is where I want to be… (@quickbear) November 30, 2019

2. They Stopped Doing the Dishes

#SignsImBurnedOut

Instead of washing dishes, you just throw them away.

— Shannon70 (@ShannonWiley) November 30, 2019

3. They Caught Themselves Doing Nothing for Extended Periods of Time

#SignsImBurnedOut
I've been staring at nothing and haven't moved for over 30mins. pic.twitter.com/GF7zWU0Vpj

— JOH-ee, but socially distant ???????? (@JustJoeyJoeyJo) November 30, 2019

4. They Stopped Pretending They Were ‘OK’

#SignsImBurnedOut
I stop being polite and pretending I’m ok pic.twitter.com/K15xK6V26g

— ᴄɪηᖙᎩ @ ???????? (@showyourteethya) November 30, 2019

5. The Best Part of Their Day Was Sleep

#SignsImBurnedOut
The best part of the day is bedtime pic.twitter.com/qpGtxcb8nx

— tracyface ⚘ (@floralcitygrl) November 30, 2019

6. They Felt Like They Had Nothing Left to Give

#SignsImBurnedOut
Burning the candle at both ends resulted in no candle.

— Jan is Staying Home ????????✌❤ (@JanGilson) November 30, 2019

7. They Felt Exhausted All the Time

I wake up after 8 hours of sleep feelinglike I only had one hour. ????????#SignsImBurnedOut

— Mina♡ (@minsayshelo) November 30, 2019

There are more bags under my eyes than at Macy’s. #SignsImBurnedOut

— Kelly Kass (@KelKass) November 30, 2019

8. They Had Trouble Focusing at Work

I spend all day on Twitter instead of doing my work. #SignsImBurnedOut

— Jacqui ????Is it wine o’clock????? (@heyjacqui_) November 30, 2019

9. Their Personal Hygiene Fell to the Wayside

I look and smell like a teenage wrestler #SignsImBurnedOut

— DavaStarr (@DavaStarr) November 30, 2019

If any of these classic signs of burnout sound familiar, you’re in good company. When you’re feeling burned out, it’s important to develop coping strategies that help you live well despite the stress you may feel. For some self-care tips, check out the following stories from our community.

What “sign” lets you know you’re feeling burned out?

Mental Health