Pandemic Burnout: I'm Just Tired

I shared on my stories on Instagram yesterday this post by @mswjake and it really hit home. It’s about pandemic burnout and signs that well, you might be suffering from burnout. The post talks about becoming frustrated very easily, always being tired no matter how much rest you are actually getting, searching for control when there isn’t any. I felt so many of the things that he was saying and I bet that a lot of you are as well.

We’re almost a year into this pandemic and while things look like they might be getting better, we still have a long way to go. I just had two family members in the hospital with Covid. I had another family member previously who had tested positive also. She didn’t have to go to the hospital, but I checked on her every single day in fear she would get worse. I watched an Instagram story yesterday of a woman sobbing because her father has been in ICU fighting for his life because of Covid. She talked about how she was having to make choices about his life and it was horrible to watch this woman in so much pain. I know people who have died as a result of Covid. Over 500,000 lives have been lost. It’s incredibly sad, frustrating, and exhausting.

Pandemic Burnout

I’ve lived through a lot of experiences, but dealing with pandemic burnout has been interesting. It’s been stages of emotions that vary day to day. Here’s some of my thoughts since this has started….

There’s a new virus on the news…..interesting….
Do we wear a mask? Do we not wear a mask? Should we take this seriously!?!? What do we do?!
I’m in Ohio at my parents and things are definitely getting concerning. There is no food. Why is there no toilet paper?!??!
At first it was exciting to be able to stay home and not have a jam packed schedule. I could finally say no to the parties and get-togethers I didn’t want to attend! YES!
Getting groceries delivered was fun. I no longer had to go to the grocery store! YAY! Until it wasn’t fun…
I normally work from home, but having more than just me at home all of the time was not so fun
What do we do now? I’ve read, I’ve watched everything there is to watch on Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+
Ok, I’m really, really bored….
Do you think we will have to cancel vacations?!?
I want to visit my family…I miss them.
How many time can I make banana bread?!?
Cancels dream vacation
Cries a lot. Doesn’t understand why people don’t take this seriously
Cancels Christmas with family
People are dying. A lot of people are dying.
What are clothes? I’m in pjs all day everyday.
I’m tired of being at home. I’m tired of the news.
“No, I can’t go to your party.”
I’m tired of seeing everyone else be able to see their family and friends…
I’m tired of being tired
Vaccinations are happening…
I’m sitting in my car in a parking lot for fun…..
I’m over telling people to back up when I’m at the grocery (this happens a lot)
People aren’t wearing masks or social distancing STILL (almost a year later)
Do I go home now to visit my family? Is it safe? Do I risk it? I really miss my family…..
My niece calls me and tells me she misses me and just wants to hug me…
I feel bad for restaurant workers, health care workers, teachers….anyone who has to deal with humans on a day-to-day basis. They can be horrible
I’m tired of listening to my husbands conference calls
I miss sitting outside sipping on margaritas and eating chips and salsa in the sunshine
I miss the smell of bookstores
Remember concerts?
I celebrated my 40th birthday party, at home, not in Europe like we had planned. Also, I had fortnite decorations because my mil ran into target to get something quickly to decorate for my birthday. Not exactly how I had planned this celebration. (She didn’t know what fortnite was, ha.) FORTNITE. Let that sink in for a moment.
I’m over this….
Can this just stop….
Should we make homemade bread again?

If you’ve been feeling some feelings because of pandemic burnout, please know you aren’t alone. I received so many messages in response after I shared that Instagram post. People are tired of all of this. People are just plain tired in general. We’re dressing up just to walk around our houses at this point. A lot of us are now working at home, so if we aren’t venturing out much, we’re home all day long for days. It’s a lot to process.

Being around other people 24/7 can be a lot to deal with. Have you learned anything new about your significant others since all of this started? I polled my IG audience and asked them this same question and the responses were hysterical. We’re all dealing with pandemic burnout on top of so many other things going on in our lives. If you don’t feel burnt out, then please know I’m jealous.

If you feel like you’re the only one struggling, you’re not. If you find yourself crying and feeling frustrated easily, that’s ok. If you miss your family and friends, I get it. Do you feel like you have lost your creativity? Me too. Do you get angry at your partner or your children just because? I’m guessing a lot of us have those moments.

This is all a lot to process and there are days where I’m so happy and feel like I can do this. Then there are those days where I’m just so frustrated and angry. Ask my husband, it’s a toss up of what I’ll be like daily. Things aren’t going to go back to normal, but I’m longing for some good news and things to take a turn for the better. I’m ready for my family members to be vaccinated. I’m ready to not have to worry about my SIL teaching because she isn’t vaccinated. I’m ready to not have to feel my hands super dry because I’m washing them and using hand sanitizer so much. I’m ready to not have a massive stockpile of wipes and cleaning products because I’m cleaning all.of.the.time.

My point with this whole post is pandemic burnout is real. So if you are wondering “why do I feel like this?” Well, it could be that. We will get through this. We will have good days and bad days. If you’ve noticed your anxiety getting worse or that you’re possibly dealing with some issues of depression, please seek help. I myself had to switch medications because mine was getting a lot worse. Please know that it’s ok to talk to someone. This is all a lot.

How I De-Stress

I’m not going to lie to you and tell you that doing a face mask will take away all of your problems, but I will tell you that every night, I try to do at least one thing for me. This helps me tremendously. Whether it’s reading for an hour. Putting on a face mask. Painting my nails (since I’m not getting manicures at the moment) watching a show on Netflix (Currently watching Peaky Blinders and Poldark) Just the simple act of taking time for myself has helped me a lot.

I deal with anxiety, so there are moments where even ordering groceries stresses me out. Ask my husband how many times I’ve cried recently about food. HA! So to work on myself and my anxiety, I’ve had to make some simple changes.

Less TV
Less social media
Less scrolling online reading the news (I have to take a break from the news every once in a while)
Watching what I’m eating again (more real food and not just junk like I was)
Journaling
Taking days off when I need to and not feeling bad about it
Talking about my feelings out loud. Letting them process.
Drink more water and get more sleep
Try to get outside and just be outside for a bit. Enjoy the sunshine or a quick walk
Try to get dressed, do my hair, and put on makeup (it makes me feel “normal”)
Taking the time to clean and organize my home (this has been incredible)
Trying alternatives to help with anxiety like CBD

If you take one thing from this post, please know that everyone deals with major events differently. Some people, like my husband, are totally fine. He doesn’t mind staying home, eating at home, and not doing much. He’s always been this way. Me on the other hand, witnessing him thriving, questions why I feel so horrible. DO NOT COMPARE your situation to someone else’s. It’s ok to feel how you feel! We are all different. Also, please do not hesitate to talk to your doctor if you think you need help. Sometimes that’s very much necessary.

What do you think you’ve been experiencing when it comes to pandemic burnout?