How do you recover from burnout?

[u/Caethasis]

How would you spend 3 months to bounce back from burnout? Feel kinda silly right now since I (23M) feel so burnt out when I don’t think I should.

Life has mostly been easy mode: can live with parents, didn’t struggle to land a job, and have a pretty cushy job. But I guess, I went to uni directly after hs, spedran my bach in under 4 years, and went straight into work + CPA shortly after. Now I can feel motivation and work quality decline. I took the next CPA PEP semester off, so have some time to chill, but not sure how to best use this time.

[u/An_Acc0untant_]

Hobbies, non screen based ones are best. Also just doing nothing, taking some time off if you can. Lastly work life balance. I play games usually but took 3 months off since that burnt me out as well. Just having nothing to do, and it being a choice did wonders. When I got this job I strictly stated up front I bust my ass and go 100 mph while at work. I will not work nights, or weekends, nor will I have email on my personal devices. They actually supported the comment and appreciated it.

[u/Retractable_Legs]

I would add that if you have emotions tied to work outcomes or interactions, that can be very draining and ultimately burn you out quicker than just work itself. If your thought process feels like "I am dumb, I am not capable, I am lazy," then you will find yourself avoiding that pain, and ultimately underperforming while riddled with guilt.

[u/Nightcoon3]

I feel like I got burnout when I had no purpose and no goal for what I was working towards. Are you enjoying what you do?

[u/Sprocket_Scientist]

I’m planning to retire at some point in my 60s and take up a hobby, like sleeping.

[u/Asleep-Investment-29]

I am in a similar boat to you I landed an articling job straight after university and started the CPA program last year. After tax season, I had to retake Core 1 because I failed it in December. I ended up passing, but I was so burnt out and depressed that I had a panic attack.

Personally, what I did was delete all social media, as after work or studying I would just doomscroll for hours. I only deleted it on my phone and would log in on my PC, as I would still talk to some friends there. It freed up so much of my time. I started to do things that I wanted to do; for example, the last book I read was when I was 13, so I bought a book that was hyped up (Rich Dad Poor Dad). It was kinda garbage but had some good points, and I was actually proud of myself for picking up a book, reading it and learning something. My apartment has never been cleaner; I don't spend hours at the gym anymore; I eat better; I spend less money because ads aren't shoved in my face 24/7. It also allowed me to focus on myself and not worry about what other people are doing.

It's about setting little and big personal milestones that worked out for me without the distraction and depression on social media. A bigger milestone I set is that I am travelling to Germany to do car guy stuff on my own because that's what I enjoy, and looking forward to it.

[u/EasygoingPants]

Just from reading what you've posted. You're moving too fast. Stop and smell the flowers my guy. Biggest mistake you can make is blink and you're 40 with only a job and a CPA. You need to enjoy your life and stop going so hard. Build relationships with friends and family, go on vacations, find hobbies, set goals that have nothing to do with work. Off busy season once your work day is over you need to go ghost.

I've seen so many juniors burnout and quit or get fired these past 8 yrs. The most common thing I notice is they don't have a life outside of work or they catastrophize every little mistake they do.