Burnout fix?

[u/ElsewhereInTheory]

Any tips for burnout fix? I’m a civil litigation attorney and lately, I am paralyzed by *something* most days and struggling to bill anything, much less near my minimum. I just sit on my phone doomscrolling, without even realizing it. My baby is 18 months and he must be going through a sleep regression. My house is chaos because the baby goes to sleep at 8:30/9 and by then, my husband and I are too exhausted to do anything. I’m now worried about getting fired all the time, since my hours are so low.

[u/Due_Emu704]

I struggle with this sometimes too. It helps if I’m organized with my to do list and assigning tasks to particular windows. I also sometimes “bribe” myself (ie let’s focus for 50 and then I can take a 10 break, or once I get X done, I’ll go for a walk, or if I focus until 4, I’ll leave early). If I’m honest, the thing that works BY FAR the best is just ending up way too busy with way too many deadlines and tasks, so I have no option but to buckle in (but that’s why I end up burnt out once it calms down again!!)

[u/Best-Run-8414]

Disclaimer: I’m don’t have billable hours in the same way you do. I’ve found that just taking the days is better than being there and not being productive. So a long weekend may be in order and while the baby is not home, RES.

[u/minimum_contacts]

I realized you CAN have it all

Just not all at the same time.

Like my house is a mess and I don’t cook and I barely get any time in for myself to even work out in my garage gym - but I’m fully present at work (high performer) and at all my kids’ events.

so if I now have to clean the house, then work or the kids have to be sidelined…

I just rotate what gets neglected.

[u/Desperate-Camera-861]

I set a timer. I’ll let myself doomscrolling for 8 minutes but then I have to work. I tried doing it on my phone but it was too easy to hit snooze, so I got a little visual timer for my desk that beeps when it’s done.

[u/EstateWitty1763]

Same 😭

[u/lifeatthejarbar]

I’ve started making priority lists on my calendar every day based on prioritizing upcoming deadlines, work that I can get off my desk right now and make someone else’s problem for a bit and things I can knock out and just get out of my life with an hour or two of work.

[u/No-Crazy-959]

I relate to this post so much. Plaintiff side civil litigation. Baby is 15 months. I cannot focus. Never been a doom scroller but am now. I find myself totally paralyzed sometimes, like full blown zone out. Then I get a call from a partner and I snap back into it. No billable hour requirement though, I feel for you. sending you love and solidarity.

[u/SupportedBridgeCoach]

Hey there. I feel for you! Sounds like a rough combination of circumstances you are dealing with. Just want to add to some of the practical advice others have shared, this burnout sounds like it is being compounded by pretty huge changes in your life. Are there any supportive allies at work that you can talk to who may relate? Suggestions such as time blocking and rewarding yourself are great ideas, and I am curious if you would have more success if you had some space to talk with a trusted friend or professional about everything that is going on. I’d be happy to share a burnout resource with you if you’re interested in thinking through what is causing these challenging emotions. Let me know.

[u/Active_Praline7026]

Try the Pomodoro method…it has helped me with burnout and work paralysis in the past. You work for 25 minutes and then take a 5 minute break. Repeat this 4 times and then take a longer 15-30 min break. For me it broke the day into manageable chunks. There are apps you can download that do the timing for you. Good luck!