Are You Burnt Out or Being Exploited?

I came across a Tweet that brought a lot of clarity for me…

“Why I prefer using the term exploitation over burnout: Burnout makes it about worker feelings. Exploitation draws our attention to employer practices and policies which require structural solutions.” -@MLevvantovskaya

This is something I wanted to write about, even though few may ever see the message.

Relevance

As a nurse, I cannot express the amount of times I’ve placed blame on myself for not being able to keep up with the demands of work. Once I shifted my perspective and realized the systemic or situational contributions, pressure was released.

Healthcare providers are not alone when it comes to this issue, though. Unrealistic expectations placed in any work or societal role can create a nightmare for our mental health. Demands are surfacing from multiple areas our lives, which leads me to believe that burnout is the expectation, not the exception.

Why is this Normal?

When did multitasking and hustle culture become the norm? It is all I’ve ever known and I am in my mid-30s. To be honest, I actually contributed the constant busyness and life “add ons” to be a part of my personality. MY PERSONALITY!