Like many women, I’ve always had a problem with comparisons (also related to perfectionism). In the past, it was difficult for me to have confidence in my creativity and ideas. Because I knew there are always smarter and better people out there. To add more fire, I compared my progress to the expectations I had set for myself. And unfortunately, this has only grown in the post-pandemic world, as more of us look to the digital realm for connectivity. Burnout, mental exhaustion, and the fear that what you’ve achieved is never enough. We always give ourselves reasons to strive for more.
I have long been confused by the word “enough”. It is inherently subjective and completely dependent on our or other people’s definitions. increase. By chasing an indeterminate end point, we keep asking for more. And the vicious cycle of productivity continues until the breaking point is reached for the fleeting gratification of success.
Today, I’m going to talk about what causes mental fatigue and share ideas on how to escape the pressure to be productive for the sake of being productive. It’s time to leave the culture of #girlboss and hustle behind—and move forward into a new era of gratification.
Featured Image of Ashley Robertson’s House Matty Gresham.
This article is for informational purposes only. It is not, and is not intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We always recommend consulting your healthcare provider.
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What is Mental Fatigue?
I’m sure we can all relate to the occasional desire to stay in bed all day. Mental exhaustion can come about for many reasons. Of course, there is also the stress of a tough job. Or perhaps you are caring for a small child or an aging parent. Whatever the cause, mental fatigue has increased, especially since the pandemic began. Almost 75% workers reported feelings associated with mental exhaustion. These symptoms include:
- Inability to concentrate or get work done
- Lack of motivation at work and in personal life
- Feeling depressed or hopeless
- Feeling overwhelmed or anxious
- I get tired no matter how much I sleep
in the article of better up, Certified Integrative Wellness & Life Coach, Alaya Cooks Campbell, likens the cause of mental fatigue to physical damage from overuse. Both tennis elbow and carpal tunnel develop from repetitive stress. Mental exhaustion is similar, but it just puts too much stress on the mind.
#Farewell to the Girl Boss?
Before 2020 saw a slew of female-led startups, the notion of the girlboss lingered. Coined by Nasty Gal founder Sophia Amoruso in her 2014, this girlboss was meant to stand as a powerful counterpoint to the patriarchal work structure. but, Samhita Mukopadhyay wrote in The Cut, the term quickly became synonymous with ‘hustle culture’ with a ‘feminist-lite twist. An optimistic, almost religious desire to succeed in business and life. “
And while the concept of girl bosses has been largely dismantled, the hustle still remains in many circles. I spend extra time building my side hustle. So the narrative feels like an inevitable double standard. You become a project in parallel with your work.
When hustle culture is all around us, how do we let it go?
I’ve long felt that hustle culture evokes a new era of the American dream. What does relentless effort and pushing ourselves bring us closer to the promise of fulfilling our dreams? This is his 2023 version of the white picket fence. We want not only financial security to complement our efforts, but also the self-esteem and image of worth associated with success.
But through this constant hustle and bustle, I often feel something closer to existential worry than deep-seated fulfillment. Is this really all? Input: Hedonic treadmill.
hedonic treadmill
A hedonic treadmill defines the experience of sprinting towards a goal, achieving one, then chasing the next one. As a result, we are never satisfied with the present. Whatever you achieve, always ask for more.
Here comes the frustrating ambiguity of “enough”. Given the way pleasure treadmills work, it’s clear enough is a fleeting pipe dream. What should I do? It’s time to rethink our priorities and focus on what really brings us satisfaction.
How to Heal from Mental Exhaustion and Seek Satisfaction
To escape the treadmill of pleasure, you must learn to find meaning in other areas of your life. While we may have once wrapped our identity entirely in our ability to tick off tasks from our to-do list, it’s time to look beyond the pleasure treadmill for purpose. It’s a dead end cycle.)
Of course, easier said than done. But when we learn to be grateful for what we have around us and to express gratitude for what we have, we develop a sense of contentment. Let’s take a look at things that connect more deeply with our values and help us prioritize what really matters to us.
have a good rest
If you can, stopIn the middle of work? Step away from your computer for about five minutes, pour yourself a glass of water, and take a few deep breaths. If you’re spending extra time without a pressing deadline, shut things down and sign off for the night. When Slack or notifications pull you back to the screen, it becomes difficult to reflect meaningfully.
reflect and refocus
Now that you have space for yourself, ask: Really satisfy you? What activities or rituals make you glow when you think about them? Pull out your journal or create a digital document to describe how you are currently spending your time and how you would like to spend your day. Write down how you feel when you compare The two can look very different when often due to mental fatigue.
A few years ago a friend gave me the best advice I’ve ever received. Trust me you never have to prove your worth.
Take advantage of social media
enjoy the process
Our way of thinking about growth is often focused on the end goal.Yes, we may be aware of the steps required to get what we want, but we’re thinking about grinding them instead of the actual process funWhen thinking about your goals, consider not only the goal itself, but also the path to reach it. Ask yourself: Do you like the way you change along this path? Do you like the process of learning, supporting others, working with new people? You can clarify why you are living your life and whether it really represents the life you want.
Connect with the present moment through gratitude
Gratitude helps us develop awareness of all the good things that are happening right now in our lives. If there’s one way to escape the pleasure treadmill, it’s to connect more deeply with the present. As you reflect on your journey so far, appreciate how you grow as you move toward your goals. This allows you to shift your focus away from the results and into the here and now.
Remember: You are more than what you do
A few years ago a friend gave me the best advice I’ve ever received. Trust me you never have to prove your worth. Over the years she has seen me pursue more and more work and take advantage of every opportunity that has been given to me. I knew I was looking for a way to carve out an identity for myself. I wanted to express myself as a competent, productive, and successful person. I thought it was the only way I could and was really worth it.
Little by little, I am beginning to learn to be someone separate from what I produce and my day job. Remind yourself that you have inherent value. And it’s been a process, but little by little, I’m starting to see signs of growth.
PS Looking for a realistic morning routine? Let Camille’s AM Ritual inspire you.
