Still, there were silver linings. First, mercifully, the black hole of burnout provided an escape hatch from my hard head and dissertation web. Second, passion and direction lay not in traditional academia but by independently exploring my creative ideas and energy. These were now the compelling questions. Burnout can be both obscure and obvious.
Many people wonder if they are just exhausted, have an attitude or are a bit depressed.
Burnout is the gradual process by which a person, in response to prolonged stress and physical, mental and emotional strain, detaches from work and other meaningful relationships. The groundwork is being laid for apathy, callousness and despair. Now this isn't an easy exploration. For example, while living in New Orleans, a fellow approached me during a break in a workshop. We had just covered the phases of burnout.