One of the main emotions experienced during burnout is apathy. It is the emotion behind irritability, sadness, demotivation, indifference—towards everything and everyone—tiredness, lack of energy; this is when we only see the negative. In others and in ourselves.
Memory fails, attention fails, concentration fails. There is less appetite and more insomnia.
What can we do to feel better, with more energy, vitality, and motivation?
As a society, we believe that we must wait until we feel motivated to start taking action.
When the opposite is true, the formula is action = motivation, not the other way around.
What does this mean?
To start feeling motivated, you don't have to wait; you have to take action. Inaction leads to more apathy and robs you of more energy.
Start by setting yourself small tasks. Define three things to do that you know are manageable for you. As you finish one after another, you will begin to feel better. Lighter. More energetic. Little by little, what felt like a huge burden will feel manageable, and then it will feel like something simple again.
Patience, love, and compassion toward yourself. That is the way—even when you are not feeling apathetic.
Another way to realize that we are in a state of apathy is that we find it difficult to look people in the eye, smile, talk, and listen; these things become draining for us.
What is the best thing you can do?
Look into their eyes, smile, talk, listen.
Ask yourself, again and again:
- How would I act if I didn't feel apathetic?
- How would I react if I felt happier, calmer, lighter?
- How would you speak if you weren't irritated?
This is your guide. Your map. Listen to your answers and notice how your mind and body begin to receive a different message: "Wait a second, this attitude belongs to someone who feels good. Let's produce those emotions then."
The problem with apathy is that everything we can do to improve feels contrary to what we want at that moment. And of course, what you want stems from apathy, so how can you expect anything different? But what you want even more is to stop being apathetic, and that's the key.
Permanent apathy—that is, feeling this way for months—is a complex issue that requires professional help to resolve. We have a team of coaches and therapists who can help you.
Complete this form to schedule an appointment with one of them.
May you have a week full of growth and well-being!
