I have been in the same job (with a promotion so very slightly different) for almost 5 years now. This has definitely been my longest job, by at least 2.5 years 😅 but I have found that the nature of the role is really one of those things where days don’t tend to be the same and all that jazz, but recently I have found myself getting that itchy feet feeling.
At the same time, the job is getting busier and deadlines have been coming faster with more last minute change than there had been previously.
I am definitely on the edge of burnout or maybe I’m in “functional burnout” or whatever that is… anyone else find that boredom or feeling like you need to move onto the next thing contributes to burnout?
Also I started meds back in November so not sure if that is contributing. I have been insanely productive since starting meds but I feel like every day is a hyperfocus day now and I am not sure if that is making things worse.
And if anyone is curious I am a finance business partner working with a sales leadership team, it’s quite interesting really but I am definitely in need of moving onto something else.
People keep telling me I am driven but I don’t think it is that so much as a constant need for stimulation/novelty that drives me forward. Somehow I have made myself important in my organisation and now I have regrets 🤣🤣
The work itself is interesting in that there are new issues, questions or commercial options that people come up with more often than not. So the role itself I like, but the burnout bit…
For the last few months the number of things our rather small team has been asked to do has roughly doubled, so I am working longer hours and taking fewer breaks. I have been having dreams/nightmares about work, having anxiety when I’m not at work because I am thinking about things that haven’t been done, unable to sleep, appetite changes, frustration and snapping at my family, etc. I know I haven’t been in the best place mentally during this time. All of these things have clouded over the elements of the job I enjoy, because instead of being able to think about those or let my mind wander around to consider various options I am forced to make snap decisions and work on outputs instead of the thinking bits of the job.
My boss tries to support but he is under the same pressure and can’t do much about it. My coworkers are okay.
It feels important and I don’t know if that is the problem or not. Everything I do contributes to the top line of a large business but really my actions are a drop in the ocean of a vast and complex system and I am annoyed with myself for letting it get to me this much.
You need to simply cut back, it’s not your business, why would you sacrifice extra hours and your relationships. i have been in your position of doing the extra work, but it was for career advancement and wanting to get to a place where I make enough to live comfortably, once there, there is no reason to go above and beyond to the extent of burning yourself out, take some time out, recover, then do what’s required, do your 40 hours then turn your brain off and focus on yourself and family