Burnout is closely intertwined with communication, in my experience. Let me explain.
What causes burnout? Unrelenting work stress, usually. But what causes work to be unrelentingly stressful? Unhealthy communication with other people.
Maybe you dread having to give an update to your manager every day because the schedule is always behind. Maybe you work in customer service and have to deal with unreasonably angry people all day. Maybe your coworkers make offensive jokes and you don’t feel safe sharing your personal life.
You can’t change your workplace or other people’s behavior, but it is important to stay employed to keep your income. Your brain goes on the defensive. Now, you can continue to communicate at work but not outside of work. No more evenings with friends. No chatting after class. No responding to texts.
Now, all of your communication is unhealthy work communication. You become socially isolated. The burnout gets worse. You tell your therapist you are so tired of conversations and she asks you, “well, what are we doing here then?”
