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What is this persistent feeling of tiredness you get from going to work? You feel even tired already at 8:00am on Monday Morning? Every time, “Shit, it’s Monday Again!”. If this is you, then you might be part of the increasing statistics of young folks experiencing burnout on a daily basis.
According to a WHO report, Burnout is a syndrome that is thought to be caused by unmanaged prolonged occupational stress. It has three dimensions:
emotions of tiredness or depletion of energy
Increasing mental distance from one's workplace
Thoughts of negativism or cynicism about one's career; and decreased professional efficacy.
There has been a concerning increase in Burn-Out amongst Millennials/Gen Z, the figures are even more adverse amongst Nigerian Millennials as the system is programmed to wear you out till shadows, Goodluck to you if you find yourself working in Lagos, rumor has it that hellfire is positioned towards that city and employers play the devil's advocate (IYKYK).
An average Nigerian Millennial/Gen Z juggles at least multiple jobs to stay afloat in this abysmal economy. We work long hours and many times have to deal with delayed salaries, debt, and difficult bosses who are out to suck the life out of you in the name of paying a ‘6 figure’ salary which if we are being honest is peanuts.
Burnouts are many times a result of not setting clear boundaries: I know this may sound like a defiant act but it’s a sure way to protect your mental health. I was once offered a job at a renowned firm in Lagos as a programs officer, guess what? The firm was offering me N60,000 and also expected me to work on weekends. At that moment, I wondered if God forgot Nigerian bosses when he was giving out hearts?
Because ideally, feeding and transportation already takes out the bulk of the salary, so what’s left for my healthcare, savings, and other black swan events? Let's not even forget that some employers disdain you for taking side gigs to make ends meet. They bombard you with a myriad of tasks both relevant and irrelevant, gaslight you, and maximize every opportunity to downplay your skills and expertise.
Is all the above not enough to trigger feelings of exhaustion, isolation, frequent illness, low self-esteem, and the apocalypse itself?
So, my dear, setting boundaries is a skill every millennial/Gen Z should hone and exercise daily. It might make you look bitchy or difficult but the reward, in the long run, is peace of mind, long life, and prosperity. Will the company fold up if you stop overstaying beyond work hours, saying NO to working on weekends, or saying NO to job opportunities that don't align with your values and career aspirations?
Many victims of burnout often think/feel they have to go over and beyond to prove their relevance. They make themselves saviors in the organization, are accessible 24/7, have little to no life outside work so they can be their employer's bestie. Victims of burnout can attest to losing valuable relationships because they barely have time to keep tabs with friends, rewind, and catch up with other activities outside work. Sadly, these same bosses will deny them deserved promotions and still underpay them. So at the end of the day, who you epp?
Do you also know that overstaying your welcome in an organization can result in constant exhaustion, the kind that makes you feel like you are choking despite not having so much to do? You become critical and cynical of everything that goes on at work. To even do the job you are being paid has become monotonous and chaotic. The vibe you once had for what you did is no longer there and you are merely just going to work to avoid being part of the statistics of unemployed Nigerian Youths. After all, a bird at hand is better than a bird in the air, innit? Honestly, waking up every day to spend hours in a place you feel unfulfilled is never worth it. What's the point when you consistently lack the energy to be productive or constantly feel unsatisfied?
There is so much more outside a toxic work environment or an environment where you don’t find a sense of fulfillment and purpose. I have had the opportunity to speak with individuals who had once been victims of workplace exhaustion. When they finally moved to better places where they felt more seen, heard, and part of a functional community, from their description, I could tell, it was like moving from purgatory to Eden. There is no denying that work itself can be demanding but with a fulfilling work environment, it feels like building a sandcastle on the beach, fun!
You are the architect of your life. You must muster the needed courage to chart a new course when the old one doesn’t serve you anymore. Maybe you need a break or a change of scenery. Maybe you just need fresh air and this could mean pivoting to a new career entirely, taking a break off work, or simply exiting a work environment that kills your vibe daily.