I’ve been struggling with a really annoying problem lately and I don’t know what to do.
I’m tired… ALL THE TIME.
And I hate it!
Someone please explain this to me…
I’m a CrossFit junkie three times a week.
I eat pretty healthily (I hope that’s a word).
And I’m 22 years old!
22!!!!!
So where’s all my energy gone?
I see people twice my age going out and having a great time and me…all I want to do is take a nap.
That can’t be normal.
In the three years that I’ve been working full-time, it’s almost like all the life has been sucked out of me.
I kind of want to cry.
But it’s not an unusual feeling, really. Research the negative affects of work and you’ll find the following:
Overload.
Burn-out.
Stress.
And then we wonder why so many people are dropping dead from heart attacks.
We work and we work and we work. And when we’re done with that, we work some more.
Because if we do stop, if we do take a break, we’re not committed.
We’re considered lazy.
We’re not the one the boss wants on her team.
I really wish that this attitude would change, though.
I wish that people would be judged by the quality of what they contribute.
Not by how many hours they work.
Because overload….burnout…stress…
I’m way too young to have to deal with that the rest of my life.
And if proving that I’m committed to my work means that I can’t take a break every once in a while for my own health…
I’ll proudly accept my title as Worst Employee of the Year.
Now do yourself a favor and check out this AWESOME infographic about breaks and why they’re SUPER IMPORTANT!
And when you’re done with that…go enjoy your weekend! 😀
Gen Y Girl 
Reblogged this on "Exploring the world of social learning" and commented:
Kayla nails it again by asking the obvious question: have we got the balance right? Our ability to survive and thrive in the Social Age means we have navigate this challenge and take time out!
I absolutely agree with you! I recently read this:
http://elitedaily.com/life/the-20-mistakes-you-dont-want-to-make-in-your-20s/
on a seemingly Gen Y website and I though, OK, maybe this age group is not about me after all. I’m 26, I’ve been working freelance for 1.5 years and I’m happy to have time for jogging, taking photos, partying and travelling. I suppose this is OK. Maybe we are missing something? Should we sacrifice our health and happiness for a career?
Just a friendly advice: if you think you eat healthily and still lack energy, check your carb consumption, with special attention to wheat. Since I cut out bread, rice and pasta from my lunches, food coma avoids me and I have more energy.
Love this! Very true and a good reminder for me…
Great post. I definitely need a break!
I totally agree with you. @maitaifreebird gen y’s are missing something. It’s the thought pattern of babyboomers. Ever since we (gen X’ers) entered the workforce our parents (babyboomers) have made us jump through hoops to enter, stay in and move up in the workforce. You handle your business while you’re at work to demonstrate your commitment to the company and with confidence you take your breaks knowing that there is no legit reason for them to let you go. The over-committed employees, like u said die early. You are the only that can determine when you need a break. There are 2 things babyboomers respect dedication and confidence (not aggrogance).
http://management2012.wordpress.com/
The signs of burnout – on the blog Managing 24/7
Thanks for the follow, Very pleased with your advice to take a break. I have worked 7 days a week for the past three months and soon next month i will be getting a day off per week. which is well needed. Thanks again for stopping by. I hope you like what i written on my site so far.
I was in the same situation until I got involved with Evolv Health, An all natural products company, Its changed my life. just watch the videos, about the company and all the products below that, plus I’m making an nice living at it as well. http://www.miketrusty.myevolv.com And if you would pass it on I would be so grateful,unless you want to join the company and use your contacts for yourself, I’m sure you could make a fortune and be healthy with energy again.
I am currently plotting my vacation as I type!
I love your enthusiasm! As for improving your energy level, try sitting on a rug, legs folded in “Indian” fashion, and pinching your ear lobes! It an ancient acupressure trick. Oh, and be sure to hum “Yankee Doddle Dandy” while doing it!
Sorry, none of that is true…of course! Just felt like tossing a “zinger” at ya. Sorry. Thanks for the visit and I’ll try to have some truly useful information for you to read. I will visit and explore in your neck of the woods too. It looks inviting!
Have a great Memorial weekend.
Jeff,
Redo…
lol you’re right, 22 is way too young for burnout. You either need a vacation, need to cut short on the food comas, or have got something else wrong with you. Who knows? But thanks for the follow, and keep up with the good blogs. This one was a fun read!
Reblogged this on WOW. FUN. PEOPLE..
Kayla, I couldn’t agree with you more. I think our generation is at a crossroads in the sense that we have grown up in the technology age, but since it is all so new, we as a society haven’t learned what is truly productive and what is downright exhausting. It’s not healthy to be connected to our smart phones or iPads or computers 24/7, yet in many jobs, we are expected to be.
I think there is some real opportunity here to create change and mold the behaviors of the workforce into taking more breaks, but that’s hard because most of us aren’t in positions powerful enough to do this YET. I would LOVE to put together some type of leadership summit for Millennials. Does anyone else have any interest in joining this or advice?
Hi Alexis,
my name is Eva and I have recently quit my Marketing & PR job for a big career break during which I do exactly what I want to. Your idea of a leadership summit for Millennials sounds great and I’d be totally interested in joining. Let me know how I could help you or stop by at my blog mountainsofhappiness.wordpress.com
I’ll never understand how adults can have energy for anything after work. Everyone who has children must have a secret stash of it, or maybe they’re just Superman.
I had a colleague would I had gone through a teaching program together. She was doing PR at a multimillion dollar law firm (tech firm? I forgot). Anyway, after 3 years she had to quit because she was developing a lot of the symptoms that you mentioned here and on the infographic. She actually got carpal tunnel, which turned out to be the reason why she HAD to leave. Anyway, she’s now happily teaching 2nd graders at an elementary school and getting married soon.
As for me, I basically didn’t get any of these symptoms. Because I did a totally different route. As far as fellow tired through, all of that you’ve heard about diet, exercise, etc is all true, but I’ll tell you how I’m overcoming it (slowly…)
Exercise actually get’s me energized – unlike the majority of people who get tired. I do martial arts which also helps in that regard as well. Even for those of you who get tired of exercise, moving around do work wonders. Good luck!
Sincerely,
A fellow Gen Y-er
You need to take a break from work and go enjoy your self. go out doors meet and greet new and old friends. life too short your 22 life doesn’t ends there go enjoy life to the fullest.
I’m 23, pretty healthy, and feel like I can barely stay awake half the time, too. I’ve been trying taking liquid vitamin B12 and vitamin D, but they haven’t been very helpful so far. Deep “yogic” breathing is the only thing that wakes me up, and that’s pretty temporary.
It’s hard to tell whether it’s a physical health issue or just the general, nebulous uncertainty of being 20-something and having that lingering stress hanging over our heads. And if it’s a matter of underlying stress, the most effective way I’ve found is changing my attitude, taking control over my life, and being determined to give myself the direction I need.
I’m trying to make that attitude shift now (thus, the blog). Looks like you’re doing something productive with the 20-something stress, too!
Thanks for posting.
The no break mentality very much comes from previous generations but it’s not their fault. Organisations were built on manual tasks and processes so if you had a break you weren’t productive. Now in a service-based economy we are more productive through innovation and creativity and connecting. All these things don’t benefit from continual perseverance, in fact some may get worse! However, there are still roles out there who aren’t productive when on a break, including a lot of programming/I.T. Roles which are ever increasing.
The culture of consistent work may die with gen y, but until we are boss it will take a while.
Hey Kayla,
only just stumbled across your blog and I know the symptoms very well. In my case it indeed was a burn-out so I’ve taken a break from my corporate Marketing career to become a ski- and snowboard instructor. And here I am – back to my energy levels and even beyond it. Plus, I am lucky to get to travel the world through my job. Stop by at my blog if you’re interested. Looking forward to reading lots more from you!
Ahaa, its good discussion on the topic of this paragraph at this place at this
website, I have read all that, so now me also commenting here.
I know exactly what you mean! This reminds me of me in my early to mid 20s. At least, you have started to recognize the fatigue. You have to find time for you. And do something that feeds your soul!