not-so-obvious symptoms of burnout.

I only started learning about burnout after experiencing it myself. But catching its symptoms early can make a huge difference.

It can save you months (or even years) of recovery time and help keep you in a better place overall. So, it’s worth pressing pause, reflecting, and, if needed, getting some support.

First up? Exhaustion. My agenda was overflowing, and even though the tasks weren’t that challenging, I couldn’t figure out what could wait. Everything seemed urgent.

For months, I canceled all my social plans, spent my weekends either sick or sleeping, and couldn’t get excited about anything.

Then came cynicism, which research lists it as another common symptom. And while I wasn’t exactly broadcasting my feelings (except maybe to my closest work friends), any positive vibes I had about my job or career were gone.

I’m usually a positive, easygoing person, but suddenly, everything felt unfair, and I had no energy left to change anything.

Finally, I started feeling inefficient. Tasks I used to do oh-so-easily suddenly felt overwhelming and messy.

Even a small lack of appreciation started to feel like full-blown criticism, and I was constantly second-guessing myself.

Maybe you can relate to one or two of these signs if you're going through a rough patch. If that’s the case, don’t brush them off—take care of yourself and get the support you need.

about the author:

Hi there! I'm Silja, the founder of the wholesome growth club, an inclusive hub for career coaching with a soft spot for introverts and perfectionists. I’m an Amsterdam-based expat, but I love connecting with people worldwide. With a background in recruiting, I know the struggle of crafting a career path that feels truly yours. At the wholesome growth club, we're all about fostering sustainable growth, meaningful engagement, and authentic connections. Our blog is dedicated to making coaching accessible and sharing insights to approach work and life with an extra dose of confidence, slow productivity, and self-compassion. If you are curious to make things happen for yourself, get in touch—we offer personalized coaching journeys that will get you closer to your (dreamy) goals in no time.