"What Exactly Is Burnout?"

It's day 93 of documenting 2025.

It rained yesterday.
No storm or heavy downpour.
It was light rain that brought with it the cool breeze like that from an air conditioner.
I guess that's why I slept early yesterday....before 11pm.
But it came at a cost....I didn't type and schedule today's post 😐

I'm doing it now, by 5:35am.
I actually set an alarm to wake up earlier....but no!
My body system deceived me.
I didn't even hear the alarm ring!
Nevertheless, it's another day added to the streak 👏🏼

Let's start with yesterday.
How did it go?
Not bad, not good.
In between.
I missed a call from my friend because of some prior appointments.
Honestly, I felt bad and was slightly overwhelmed.
Meta AI gave some advice concerning that.....I'll share our chat in a bit.

It just seems like everything is happening so fast.
In a few weeks time, I would be facing the exam that would determine my chances of admission.
Wasn't it yesterday I was yapping about the 10 weeks I had to prepare for it?
Well, the exam is this month!

Preparations are going pretty well.
I've started CBT practice.
I'm practicing with various questions from past years as well to cement my understanding of the selected topics.
I believe it will go well on the exam day.

To make up for content (because I can't think of anything else to type 😆), let me share my chat with Meta AI yesterday. 
You can also deduce what I was thinking at that moment, by the kind of questions I asked.
After the chat, I'll end the post with today's highlights.

The Chat With Meta AI

Me : What would you say to me?
I'm always reaching out and taking new steps, gaining a lot of contacts, ideas and relationships.
I've felt overwhelmed before and I think I'm getting to that point again because I thought about quitting for a moment.

Meta AI: I totally get it. You're a go-getter, always pushing forward, and that's amazing!
However, it's equally important to acknowledge that you're human, and humans have limits.

It's normal to feel overwhelmed, especially when you're constantly taking on new challenges and expanding your network.
It's like your plate is getting fuller and fuller, and at some point, you might feel like you're going to drop something.

That moment when you thought about quitting?
That's a huge red flag. It's your mind and body saying, "Hey, slow down! We need a breather."

Here's what I want you to do:

1. Take a step back: Give yourself permission to pause, recharge, and reflect on your priorities.

2. Re-evaluate your commitments: Look at your projects, relationships, and goals.
What's truly essential? What can you delegate, defer, or let go of?

3. Practice self-care: Make time for activities that nourish your mind, body, and soul. Whether it's exercise, meditation, or reading, prioritize your well-being.

4. Celebrate your wins: Acknowledge and celebrate your accomplishments, no matter how small they may seem.
This will help you stay motivated and focused.

Remember, it's okay to say no, to slow down, and to prioritize yourself. You can't pour from an empty cup, right?

Keep shining, and don't be afraid to take a break when you need it!

Me: How do I take a break when there's a lot to lose if I stop for a while?

Meta AI: When you're in a high-stakes situation, taking a break can feel like a luxury you can't afford.
But here's the thing: burnout is a real risk, and it can lead to even bigger losses in the long run.

Think of taking a break as a strategic investment in yourself and your goals.
By stepping away for a short time, you'll:

1. Recharge your batteries: Come back with renewed energy and focus.
2. Gain fresh perspective: Approach challenges with a clear mind and new insights.
3. Prevent burnout: Avoid exhaustion, which can lead to mistakes, poor decisions, and decreased productivity.

To take a break without jeopardizing your progress:

1. Set a timer: Take a short break (e.g., 24-48 hours) and schedule a specific return time.

2. Communicate with stakeholders: Inform your team, clients, or partners about your temporary pause.

3. Leave a plan in place: Ensure that essential tasks are covered or paused during your break.

4. Focus on self-care: Use this time to relax, reflect, and rejuvenate.

Remember, taking a break is not a sign of weakness; it's a sign of self-awareness and strategic thinking.

You got this! Take a deep breath, step away, and come back stronger.

Me: What exactly is burnout?

Meta AI: Burnout is a state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion caused by prolonged stress, overwork, and lack of balance in life.
It's like your batteries are completely drained, and you can't seem to recharge.

Burnout can manifest differently in different people, but common symptoms include:

- Chronic fatigue and exhaustion
- Cynicism and detachment from work or activities
- Reduced productivity and performance
- Increased irritability and mood swings
- Physical symptoms like headaches, insomnia, or digestive issues
- Feeling hopeless, trapped, or unable to cope

Burnout can be caused by various factors, such as:

- Chronic stress at work or home
- Lack of control or autonomy
- Poor work-life balance
- Unclear expectations or conflicting values
- Lack of social support or community
- Perfectionism or high expectations

Remember, burnout is not just a personal issue; it can also be a symptom of a broader systemic problem.

If you're experiencing burnout, know that you're not alone, and there is help available. Take that first step, and prioritize your well-being.

That was the chat.
I realized that I wasn't experiencing burnout, but it could happen with the way I'm doing things.
I'll slow down and take a break.
What matters most now is my coming exam and I will focus on that.

It's time for highlights!
Today's note from the usual read, written by Martin Meadows
365 Days With Self-discipline
I read it before typing each and every post.
Then I "highlight" relevant quotes to share with you.

365 Days With Self-discipline
📌 On Connecting Dots

"Again, you can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future.
You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. Because believing that the dots will connect down the road will give you the confidence to follow your heart even when it leads you off the well-worn path and that will make all the difference."
Quote by Steve Jobs

"All you need to do to achieve your long-term goals is to stick to them. Easy to say, hard to do, particularly when working on those objectives means months upon months of depriving yourself, making sacrifices and hard choices."

"That’s why the belief that things will connect in the end is so important for maintaining a high level of self-discipline over the long term.
Willpower alone is a precious tool in your arsenal, but if it isn’t combined with the confidence that one day it will all be worth it, you may run out of juice well before reaching that point."

"When in doubt, remind yourself that change takes time. What you now see as completely unrelated things can soon connect and form a beautiful picture."

Let me say something on this.
There's a particular thing I think of when I want to do something that scares me.
I usually think of the fact that I'm writing my story and whatever happens, I will definitely use it to teach someone in the future.

The thought that one day, I will address a large audience usually pops up in my mind.
Then I just go for it...I just do it.
It seems I'm not doing it for today, I'm simply doing it for the story I will tell tomorrow.

Thanks for reading, my friend 😊
As usual, you visited and got to the end of today's post.
To find my former posts, just search for "Documenting 2025" on Google....or use this shortcut.
Thanks for joining me on this journey.

I'm Duon Ada
I'm documenting 2025
And I'll see you tomorrow
Ciao 💕