Tangentz
Join us where a group of friends from diverse backgrounds come together to discuss news, share views, and talk about their unique experiences. Each episode offers fresh perspectives and engaging conversations that will leave you informed and inspired.
Tune in now to watch or listen to "Tangentz" on your favorite podcast platform. Don’t forget to subscribe and stay updated with our latest episodes. 🌿✨
Tangentz
Burnout: The Emotional Bankruptcy You Didn't See Coming
Feeling broken when you're actually burnt out might be one of the most devastating misdiagnoses of our time. That persistent exhaustion, the cynicism, the brain fog that follows you everywhere—these aren't character flaws. They're distress signals from a system running on empty.
Throughout our conversation, we unpack the concept of "emotional bankruptcy" and how chronic withdrawal from your reserves eventually compromises your entire stress response system. Rather than recognizing these signs as what they are—clear indicators of burnout—we've been conditioned to interpret them as personal inadequacies. The weight of that misplaced self-blame only compounds the exhaustion.
Certain life circumstances make burnout almost inevitable: relentless caregiving, multiple jobs to stay afloat, high emotional labor professions, or being the person everyone else leans on. Add to this our cultural worship of productivity—what we call "internalized capitalism"—and you've created the perfect storm. We've absorbed the toxic belief that our worth correlates directly with our output, making rest feel selfish and boundaries feel like failure.
Recovery begins with surprisingly small steps. Simply naming your experience as burnout rather than personal weakness shifts the narrative. Giving yourself permission to do less—viewing rest as necessary repair rather than indulgence—challenges the very foundation of hustle culture. We share practical tools including the seven-point Burnout Barometer for daily check-ins and tiny "acts of rebellion" that require minimal energy yet signal to your system that change is possible.
The path forward isn't about returning to your pre-burnout self—that person was already overextended. It's about evolving into someone who values stillness alongside achievement, who sets boundaries proactively rather than reactively, who understands that healing isn't just a means to greater productivity but valuable in itself. Remember this truth when everything feels too heavy: you matter inherently, especially when you're tired.
**Thank you for tuning in to the Tangentz Podcast!** 🌿
We hope today’s episode brought you peace, inspiration, and actionable steps towards a more balanced and fulfilling life. 🌸
Remember, your wellness journey is unique, and we're here to support you every step of the way. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave us a review, and share this podcast with anyone who could use a little extra light in their life.
For more tips, articles, and wellness resources, visit us at https://wrwofficial.com Stay connected with us on social media for daily inspiration and join our community of like-minded individuals!
**Stay grounded. Stay well.** 🌱
**Follow us:**
- Instagram: @wellxrootedxwellness
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/948985443013245
- Twitter: @wrwmedia
- Website: https://wrwofficial.com/
Yeah, let's unpack this. You know that feeling when you like look around, maybe online, and everyone seems to be thriving, hitting all those marks, the mindful mornings, the side hustles, everything looks so balanced. Yeah, and you're just kind of wondering why can't I keep up?
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:It's so easy to slip into thinking maybe there's just something wrong with me.
Speaker 2:And what's so interesting, there is that feeling, that offness. It isn't usually about some personal defect. It's often a really key sign of something else.
Speaker 1:Exactly that's what we really want to dive into today this idea that feeling broken well, so often it's actually burnout.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:And getting that difference understanding you might just be depleted, not defective that's like the vital first step, isn't it?
Speaker 2:Totally, and if we frame it bigger, this whole deep dive is really about helping you reclaim your sense of worth. We want to look at how burnout actually works, how it takes hold, and really reframe how you see that exhaustion. It's not failure. It's often just a sign you've been strong for way too long.
Speaker 1:Right, we're pulling insights from this article. Why You're Not Broken, Just Burnt Out.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:It's a really thoughtful piece. It is it challenges that self-blame thing and kind of points a way towards getting your energy back. So the question for you, listening, is are you maybe ready to look at that feeling of being completely overwhelmed?
Speaker 2:differently, a new perspective.
Speaker 1:Absolutely, and look if this conversation sparks something for you, if you're curious about, you know, nurturing your own well-being more actively. We've got tons of resources over at httpswrofficialcom. Definitely worth checking out Okay, so let's get right into it. What exactly is burnout? What are we talking about here?
Speaker 2:Well, at its core, it's this state of emotional, physical and mental exhaustion. It's brought on by stress that's just gone on too long or been too intense.
Speaker 1:OK.
Speaker 2:The article we're looking at uses this really powerful analogy. It calls burnout emotional bankruptcy.
Speaker 1:Emotional bankruptcy, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2:Like you've completely depleted your emotional reserves.
Speaker 1:That really lands.
Speaker 2:It's like you've just been making withdrawals constantly, right, instead of seeing hey, I'm in an energy deficit because of X, y, z, you start telling yourself you're not strong enough or dedicated enough, or just not good enough. Exactly, and the article mentions this. Chronic withdrawal can actually mess with our stress response system. Over time Makes us more reactive, less resilient.
Speaker 1:It's that self-criticism spiral, isn't it? Yeah, it just makes everything worse. Instead of seeing exhaustion as a signal like hey, ease up, we see it as a personal failure. So what are some of the key warnings, those alarms that tell us we might be heading toward burnout, or maybe you're already there.
Speaker 2:Well, the article lists several really crucial symptoms. One of the big ones is that deep exhaustion that sleep just doesn't touch.
Speaker 1:Right, you get eight hours, but wake up feeling like you haven't slept.
Speaker 2:Exactly. Then there's cynicism, a sort of emotional detachment, maybe even numbness. Things that used to matter just don't land anymore.
Speaker 1:Yeah, that numbness is really unsettling, isn't it Like watching your life instead of living it? What else should we look out for?
Speaker 2:Increased irritability is another big one, snapping easily, feeling really frustrated by small things.
Speaker 1:Uh-huh, little things feel huge. Yes.
Speaker 2:And difficulty concentrating, that brain fog struggling to focus or remember stuff Very common.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:And along with that detachment there's often a real drop in motivation, even for things you used to love doing.
Speaker 1:And it's so important, like the article says, to remember these aren't character flaws, they're not moral failings.
Speaker 2:Absolutely not.
Speaker 1:They're genuine signals, your body, your mind saying hey, something's really out of balance here.
Speaker 2:Exactly, and it's fascinating how often burnout can wear a disguise. You might think it's just general anxiety, maybe even clinical depression.
Speaker 1:Or even like a midlife crisis. Yeah, questioning everything.
Speaker 2:Yeah, that too, but the article draws a really key distinction between burnout and depression.
Speaker 1:Okay, what's the difference?
Speaker 2:Well, while symptoms can overlap, burnout often has clearer roots in specific ongoing stressors. You know relentless overwork, intense caregiving, constant stress, high emotional labor jobs.
Speaker 1:Things you can point to.
Speaker 2:Right Depression, while stress can be a factor, can also emerge without such obvious external triggers.
Speaker 1:That's a helpful distinction. The article also points out specific situations where burnout becomes almost predictable.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it does Think about a parent who literally never gets a break, just constantly on no downtime. Or someone caring for a loved one with serious health issues. The emotional, the practical load is a mess. People juggling multiple jobs just to make ends meet, or those in jobs demanding huge emotional output teachers, social workers, customer service folks and, interestingly, high achievers too. People driven internally or externally to constantly prove their worth through doing more achieving more Right.
Speaker 1:The perfectionists maybe.
Speaker 2:Yeah, for people in those spots. The article basically says burnout isn't just likely, it's a pretty understandable outcome of living unsustainably.
Speaker 1:That feels really validating to hear actually.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:And that leads into this other huge factor. The article talks about internalized capitalism. Okay, Okay. What does that mean in this context? What does that mean?
Speaker 2:in this context. It's basically how our society has drilled into us this idea that our value as people is tied directly to how productive we are.
Speaker 1:Okay, busy, equals important.
Speaker 2:Pretty much. Rest equals lazy or lacking ambition. The article gives examples like feeling you have to check work email late at night, even if it's not urgent.
Speaker 1:Oh yeah.
Speaker 2:Or feeling like you're slacking if your downtime isn't spent learning some new skill or being productive.
Speaker 1:Somehow I feel that little voice of guilt when you actually try to just stop, without feeling like you've earned it first Exactly, or feeling selfish if you try to set a boundary, say no to something else.
Speaker 2:Totally, and because we've absorbed this belief system so deeply, we just push and push way past our limits. Then, when we crash, when we get exhausted, we don't see it as, oh, I overdid it, we see it as, oh, I failed, I'm not driven enough.
Speaker 1:But the article flips that beautifully. It says burnout isn't the lack of ambition, it's a lack of balance.
Speaker 2:Such a liberating reframe, isn't it?
Speaker 1:It really is and this pressure, this societal thing, it can also show up in how people respond when we do try to talk about feeling burnt out. Yeah, the article mentions those invalidating comments.
Speaker 2:Ugh, yes, the unintentional gaslighting sometimes.
Speaker 1:Totally those phrases that just shut you down, like, well, at least you have a job. Or you should just be grateful, yeah, or well you chose this path, so like you're not allowed to find it hard, mm-hmm. Or well you chose this path, so you're not allowed to find it hard.
Speaker 2:I think many of us have heard variations of those Definitely. And what's tricky is how those phrases just minimize the reality of burnout. They imply your struggle isn't valid because someone else might have it worse.
Speaker 1:Right Comparison trap.
Speaker 2:But the article makes such a great point. Gratitude and exhaustion can live side by side. You can be thankful for parts of your life and still be utterly drained by managing it all.
Speaker 1:Yes, and it's OK to say this is too much for me right now. Regardless of your situation or privilege, it's about your limits, no-transcript. So OK, if you're listening and recognizing some of this in yourself. What are the first steps? How do you start to find your spark again? The article has some practical ideas that don't feel huge.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it does. Where do you even begin when you feel that depleted?
Speaker 1:Exactly. Yeah, what's step one?
Speaker 2:The very first one and it's surprisingly powerful, according to the article is name it to tame it.
Speaker 1:OK.
Speaker 2:Just consciously labeling the feeling as burnout, instead of calling yourself lazy or weak or whatever.
Speaker 1:Let's name it the right name.
Speaker 2:Yeah, that act alone starts shifting the blame from you to the circumstances. It externalizes it, like you said, and that's where healing can actually start.
Speaker 1:That makes so much sense. It's not me, it's burnout. What's next?
Speaker 2:The next big one is giving yourself permission to do less.
Speaker 1:Ooh, that sounds radical.
Speaker 2:It kind of is the article really hammers home that rest isn't a reward you earn after peak productivity. It's a biological need like food or sleep. So reframing rest as repair, not indulgence, that's key to breaking the cycle.
Speaker 1:Permission to do less. I like that, so we don't need a massive life overhaul immediately.
Speaker 2:Not at all. The article champions starting micro, tiny, achievable actions.
Speaker 1:Like what.
Speaker 2:Maybe carving out just 15 minutes of screen-free quiet, a short walk outside, no goal attached. Maybe just deliberately drinking a glass of water before your coffee?
Speaker 1:Okay, really small things.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and the article frames them not just as wellness hacks, but as little acts of rebellion against a world demanding constant energy from us.
Speaker 1:Acts of rebellion. I love that framing it gives them weight purpose.
Speaker 2:Doesn't it? And the final initial step it mentions is about reigniting curiosity. Burnout tends to dull everything right.
Speaker 1:Yeah, makes everything feel kind of gray.
Speaker 2:So the idea is to gently explore things that pique your interest, even slightly, but, crucially, without pressure.
Speaker 1:No goals.
Speaker 2:No goals. Watch a random documentary. Plant a single seed and just watch it Doodle play.
Speaker 1:just gently nudge that sense of wonder back online. Those first steps feel doable, which is exactly what you need when you're running on fumes. Now the article also has a more structured tool the burnout barometer. How does that work?
Speaker 2:Right. This is like a daily check-in system, a way to intentionally look at different parts of your well-being. It has seven areas.
Speaker 1:Okay, lay them out for us.
Speaker 2:First is body. Did you nourish yourself well? Move gently, get enough rest, Basic physical stuff. Got it Second unwind. Did you give your brain an actual break from stress, from thinking hard?
Speaker 1:Mental downtime.
Speaker 2:Third relationships Did you connect authentically with someone, even briefly?
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:Fourth needs. Did you meet at least one of your own needs today? Practical or just something for joy? The article notes that unwind and needs often get dropped first in early burnout.
Speaker 1:Interesting. Okay, that's four. What else?
Speaker 2:Fifth is outflow. What drains your energy today? And, importantly, did that energy feel well spent? Just noticing where it's going? Awareness, yeah. Sixth uplift what tiny thing brought a little lightness or joy, even something small? Finding what tiny thing brought a little lightness or joy, even something small, finding the good bits. And seventh time, did you protect any time just for yourself, time not dictated by external demands?
Speaker 1:Okay, a full spectrum check-in, and the point isn't perfection.
Speaker 2:Not at all. The goal isn't getting straight A's every day. It's about the practice of checking in, noticing patterns, seeing which areas might be running low consistently.
Speaker 1:So, even if the answer is no to a lot of them at first, that's valuable information.
Speaker 2:It shows you where to maybe focus a tiny bit of attention. It's nonjudgmental awareness.
Speaker 1:That sounds really useful. The article also pushes us to think critically about external stuff contributing to burnout. I found that really insightful.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it asks a tough question. Who might actually benefit from you being burnt out?
Speaker 1:Oof. Yeah, that's a big one.
Speaker 2:It is, but think about it. Some corporate cultures thrive on overwork. Some family systems rely on one person carrying everything.
Speaker 1:The strong one.
Speaker 2:Right and social media with all the comparison, can fuel that feeling of inadequacy that makes us push harder.
Speaker 1:So it's a reminder that it's not always just us. There are bigger forces at play.
Speaker 2:Exactly Recognizing those external pressures is step one. Step two is choosing consciously to push back a little to prioritize your well-being.
Speaker 1:Which leads right into the need for a bigger cultural shift away from that constant hustle culture.
Speaker 2:Yes, the article contrasts that with a culture of healing.
Speaker 1:Okay, what does that look like?
Speaker 2:Instead of grind now, rest later. It's rest now, sustain longer. Makes sense, instead of no pain, no gain, it's more like soothe the pain, then grow.
Speaker 1:Jimbo.
Speaker 2:And instead of just push through everything, it's about valuing the pause and process.
Speaker 1:I really connect with that. It's saying healing and well-being are valuable in themselves, not just means to more productivity.
Speaker 2:And burnout recovery. The article says so well, isn't about getting back to your old self, because that old self was probably overloaded.
Speaker 1:Right. That wasn't sustainable.
Speaker 2:It's about evolving, growing into a new, more resilient version of you. What does that evolved self look like? According to the article, Someone who's more comfortable asking for help, who sets boundaries proactively, not just reactively. Someone who actually values quiet and stillness, not just achievement, and who practices self-compassion instead of harsh self-talk.
Speaker 1:That sounds stronger actually. Yeah, More sustainable. Maybe a bit slower, softer, but definitely stronger in the long run.
Speaker 2:Exactly A deeper kind of strength. And again, if exploring this further and finding community around well-being sounds good, do check out httpswrofficialcom.
Speaker 1:Okay, so as we wrap up this deep dive, let's really let these ideas sink in. The article ends with such a compassionate note.
Speaker 2:It really does. It's a reminder you are not a machine. You're not built for constant output.
Speaker 1:Needing rest isn't weakness, it's human. You're not broken. You might just need repair, rhythm reconnection and please hear this if you haven't today. You are doing your best. You matter even when you're tired, especially when you're tired and you deserve to heal, not because it makes you more productive, but just because you're human, inherently worthy.
Speaker 2:So maybe a final thought to leave you with today, drawing from that start micro idea what's one tiny, tiny act of rebellion you could weave into your day, something just for rest or for connection. Maybe it's just five deep breaths, maybe it's noticing a plant on your windowsill for a minute sending that text you've been meaning to send.
Speaker 1:Just one small thing.
Speaker 2:Yeah, what feels doable and genuinely nourishing for you right now, something to maybe mull over.
