It's the First Sign of Burnout: This Subtle Feeling Should Immediately Alert You, According to Psychiatrist Marine Colombel

Because it manifests in many ways, burnout is often subject to misconceptions. As a result, it is not always diagnosed in time.

The Loss of Drive

Before experiencing burnout oneself, it can be difficult to realize what it looks like. When does the relationship with work become problematic? How does burnout impact daily life? What are the first signs of exhaustion? At first glance, we think that burnout is linked to an increase in workload, the disappearance of the boundary between personal and professional life, and persistent anxiety, sadness, fatigue, and stress associated with work. However, ignoring more subtle signals can lead us to overlook the problem and allow it to persist. "Burnout does not happen overnight, and if we can recognize the signs, we can stop it before it takes control of our lives," says Jan Bonhoeffer, a professor of medicine, for Psychology Today.

Between Values and Actions: The Path to Losing Meaning

Finding meaning in what we do can be a lifelong endeavor. While it does not guarantee daily fulfillment, meaning and the search for it contribute to our well-being. This is why the loss of meaning is so consequential, especially at work. No longer finding meaning in what we do is both a cause of burnout and one of its first signs.

Behind the loss of meaning, it is often a conflict of values that plays out, according to psychiatrist Marine Colombel. "Values are deep desires that serve as a driving force in our lives," she writes in her column. They indicate "a direction in life to take."

"Each job also carries its own values. For example, when you work in education, the values of exchange and transmission are important. If you work in commerce, it will be those of communication and sharing," she illustrates. And it is precisely when the values of work conflict with personal values that the conflict of values arises. This opposition can be ethical, but it can also stem from other factors. For instance, the inability to perform quality work due to available resources, or the feeling of doing pointless work can gradually erode the sense of meaning.

A difficult job, physically or mentally exhausting, will be well-received as long as it makes sense to us.

Spotting the Loss of Meaning Before It's Too Late

"As soon as we no longer find meaning in our work, either due to a lack of direction or impossible goals, we put ourselves in a situation of failure," assures the psychiatrist. And this failure can be identified too late. Because the loss of meaning is rarely abrupt and sets in gradually, it is difficult to spot.

To become aware of the loss of meaning, it is essential to take a step back from our relationship with our work. "Before, you cared. About your work, your colleagues, the impact you had. But lately, all of this seems… pointless to you," comments Jan Bonhoeffer.

Not finding meaning in what we do can manifest as disinterest, irritation, but also cynicism. If negativity creeps in gradually, it may be an early sign of burnout.

Cynicism is often a reaction to prolonged stress and frustration. When we feel powerless in our situation, our mind erects a wall of negativity to protect itself. Unfortunately, this makes everything heavier and more exhausting.

Regaining Meaning

Once we become aware of this loss of meaning at work, it is not too late to remedy it. However, it is imperative to question our relationship with work, to redefine our values and ambitions. Marine Colombel recommends starting by asking yourself two questions:

• Does my work provide me with inner fulfillment?
• Is my work a factor for personal growth?

If you answer "no" to either of these questions, it is time to seriously consider ways to repair this conflict of values. Ideally, one should consider finding work that aligns more closely with personal values. When that is not possible, the psychiatrist encourages infusing these values into work. "An informal moment with colleagues, greater freedom in organization, or even developing remote work time can sometimes change our job and restore meaning to work," she explains. Finally, investing in other areas of our lives can bring meaning back to our daily routine.

Sometimes, simply giving more importance to our personal life allows us to rebalance our values and find meaning. Making room for family, friends, and hobbies can help us regain a lost balance.