Believe A New Job Will Cure Your Burnout? Here’s Why It Might Not

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Burnouts can seriously harm a person’s health, leading to extreme tiredness and fatigue. When we hear this word, we immediately think of a toxic work environment where people are asked to perform at full capacity all the time, have no breaks, and work extra hours without being paid with super high stress levels. Of course, burnouts are often associated with particularly stressful careers; however, you may need more than changing your profession to solve your issues. Understanding why a new job may not be the solution is crucial to deciding whether or not this is the right action for you.

Note: The content of this article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for advice tailored to your individual circumstances.

Burnout’s Not Instant

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Burnout is not an instant thing. It’s death by a thousand cuts. It takes most people months or even years of overwork, problematic clients, and other similar issues before they have a serious case of burnout. True burnout isn’t just “I need a vacation,” but a moment where you feel like you’ll break if you have to go to another meeting.

If you’re experiencing job fatigue, a vacation alone will usually be enough to help prevent it from turning into burnout.

Workplace Roles

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A common misconception is that switching jobs will help you get rid of burnout, but this is only partially true. Burnout can be caused by a wide variety of different things, and some of them have nothing to do with your job. A toxic work environment is only one of the many reasons why you might have it. Ask yourself if you would still do your job if you had a better paycheck or boss. Would you?

Rarely A Solution

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We have all experienced (or at least heard of) workplaces that seemingly suck the life out of employees. If your environment is toxic to the point of you dreading work because of politics, then yes, a new job might be the cure for your burnout.

Some workplaces can permanently destroy your motivation, so it’s best to get your resume up to par sooner rather than later.

Burnout Symptoms

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The most insidious thing about burnout is that it tends to happen gradually. The lack of focus you feel, the lack of motivation, and even the way you lose interest in what you’re doing are all symptoms that worsen the more burnt out you get. These can make it hard for you to apply for a new job in the first place.

In other words, if your workplace is the reason for your dismay, it makes sense to get out as soon as you feasibly can.

Relax Before You Return

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Remember how we mentioned that burnout is often “death by a thousand cuts?” If you are feeling burnt out, it often makes sense to relax before trying to find a new job. You need time to recover, particularly if you used to work long hours.

Taking time for your own (often neglected) self-care is a good way to gain a new perspective on your career. Sometimes, taking a break from work can help you gain perspective on the causes of your burnout.

Toxic Industries

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If your job is in an industry that’s notoriously cruel to its workers, then getting a new job in the same industry is not going to work out in your favor. For example, it’s become common knowledge that teachers are dropping out of the education field because they can’t take being bullied by students, parents, and administrators.

Some industries are simply toxic to work in and are basically asking for burnout to happen. Should this happen, it’s not a new job you need. Relocating to a country where the industry’s culture is less toxic is usually the best cure, especially if you like the work but hate the industry.

Hating Your Work

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Though it’s never openly discussed, many of us chose a career because we were pressured to pursue it. Or, we thought the money would make it better. Or, perhaps, it was a personal choice that quickly revealed itself to be the wrong one.

Whatever the reason, there are a lot of people out there who hate their jobs with a burning passion. If it’s the actual work you hate, you are burnt out because your career isn’t a good fit for you.

Career Change?

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If your industry is toxic nationwide or you plainly hate the work, trying to find the same job elsewhere doesn’t make sense. Now would be a good time to consider getting a job in an adjacent field that isn’t as terrible. For example, if you were an ER hospital doctor, becoming a general physician might be easier.

Some industries have adjacent industries that are far lower stress.

Internal Pressures

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Are you the type of person who doesn’t hold up boundaries? Who tends to act like a perfectionist, expects themselves to be the person who does it all, and can’t delegate responsibilities? If you have a personality that tends to people-please, chances are the source of your burnout isn’t work at all. It could very well be you. The solution? Start prioritizing yourself and accept the fact that you will make mistakes and cannot be there for others 24/7.

Putting Yourself In Exploitation

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When you are a people-pleaser, a workaholic, or a perfectionist, you tend to attract exploitative bosses. Even when they don’t exploit you, there’s a good chance that you might end up overworking yourself or beat yourself up over perceived slights. This level of anxiety to perform up to par can be a huge source of burnout. This, however, doesn’t mean it’s your fault! Nonetheless, understanding whether you are attracting these people may help you choose those you surround yourself with more carefully.

Addressing Your Issues

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If you have been getting burnt out in every arena of your life, it might be time to consider medical attention. More specifically, it may be time to get therapy. A therapist can help you figure out the root cause of your people-pleasing and also give you the tools you need to establish boundaries. Therapy itself can be a hard process, but it’s well worth it.

Prevention Is Key

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An ounce of prevention is truly worth a pound (or five!) of cure when it comes to burnout. Make time for yourself. Learn to say no to projects you don’t like, workplaces that don’t treat you well, and people who demand too much of you. It will prevent you from having a hard time. This may be difficult initially, but you can start small. For instance, instead of saying yes to helping your friend move to a new apartment, budget time for it, for instance, by helping for an hour.

Parental Burnout

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Even though we often hear about burnout caused by job pressure, many other types exist. For instance, parental burnout is caused by the tendency to put all our efforts into our kids, neglecting our needs. If your burnout is caused by your family situation rather than your work, changing jobs won’t bring any benefit, and it may worsen the situation, leading to more stress.

The Challenges Of Changing Job

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While for some people, changing jobs may be the real solution, for others, this may cause even more stress. The anxiety of being unemployed coupled with the stress of having to provide for your family and the need to find another job better than your previous one may all be extremely overwhelming. So consider twice whether this is the right choice for you before resigning from your position.

Finances

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Changing jobs also means dealing with less money than usual for some time. This can be highly stressful, especially if you are not used to it. For instance, you may decide to avoid your usual weekly massage to save some money, which may cause you to accumulate more stress. Financial stability is crucial to avoid getting anxious and worried for many people.

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