Burnout at 22: When Achievement Pressure Becomes Emotional Exhaustion

The Pressure to Achieve Before 25

By 25, I need to have achieved this, this and that…. I am now 22, am I close to achieving my goals? Is there any measurable progress?

Every day, there is pressure to keep going on. Every minute of rest feels like there is something that you need to do. The yearn to live the life that one desires pushes you to just keep going. Rarely, do we listen to our bodies. ‘I’ll be viewed as lazy, one who doesn’t fully show up,’ and all other phrases that come to mind. Our achievements define our identities. But should this be the case?

Burnout

In bid to keep up with our goals, we stretch ourselves a little more than we can handle. Along the way, we are suddenly hit by burnout. Surprisingly, the signs show up early but are rarely noticed because of the fast-paced world that we live in. The Cambridge dictionary defines burnout as “extreme tiredness or a feeling of not being able to work anymore caused by working too hard” (Cambridge Dictionary, 2024). The American Psychological Association defines as “physical, emotional or mental exhaustion accompanied by decreased motivation, lowered performance and negative attitudes towards oneself and others.” It further explains that it results from performing at a high level until stress and tension takes their toll (American Psychological Association, 2018).

The World Health Organization characterizes burnout with: exhaustion, increased mental distance or feelings of negativism and reduced professional efficacy. There is normal fatigue, one which one feels after a long day of work or activity. However, exhaustion from burnout is one where you feel your energy has depleted and even rest does not necessarily recharge you. It may manifest in different ways from one person to another. It is important to recognize when you are about to get burnt out.

What next

Well, self-diagnosing isn’t ideal at all times. At the same time, it is important to understand how you feel and be able to describe it. Getting to understand this makes it easier for you to take the right measures for it.

“I am already burnt out, what next?”

Acknowledgement

The first step is acknowledging that you are burned out. This starts the process to be able to determine the cause. A research article recommends keeping away from the stressors if possible and taking time to focus on your health. 

Let’s picture this, if you take a glass and fill it with water, letting the water represent your personality, then the glass having some contents means your environment allows you to be yourself. In the case that you are burned out, the glass is either empty or close to empty, and at times, you may not feel like yourself. It is advisable to try and do things that help you feel like yourself again; be it cooking, catching up with friends or even sleeping. This slowly refills your glass, and you get to feel like yourself again. Please note that this is not a one shoe fits all, and it may vary from one person to another. It may also be good if you alert your support system. Seeking help may ease the burden to a particular extent. This article here may provide more tips on recovering from burnout.

Identity and Recovery

In our journey of striving to be a better version of ourselves, we may encounter burnout. If it ever finds you, be assured that you can recover. Your recovery journey may differ. However, be rest assured that you will get back on track eventually. 

SHE Centre is here to help you.

Find your community at SHE Space. You were never meant to do this alone.

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Connect with our partner organizations who are ready to walk alongside you in this season.

Written by: Christine Kabiru