Lots of us are desperate to come off the watch, advice columnist Eleanor Gordon-Smith writes. One strategy might be to cut the corners you can
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How can I heal from burnout while having to do the exact same things that contributed to burnout? Over the past seven years I have worked in government roles and endured intense bullying and misogyny. At the same time, nice colleagues were also scared or bullied into silence. I am on a contract with a truly lovely team but it is short-term and I’m now having to apply for yet more jobs.
I have lovely friends and we all support each other, I utilise the work employee support service and have an excellent therapist, and I feel comfortable financially as long as I keep earning what I’m earning.
On the whole I know I am managing and surviving, but I am exhausted. I can’t contemplate a holiday because that comes straight out of my savings, I can barely contemplate looking at job listings let alone doing an application, and goodness forbid I have to perform all the necessary fakery in an interview. I just can’t hack it! I wish I had a trust fund or a husband who can pay for my bills. I would just take three months off to heal and look after myself, then hit restart and begin working again.
