Signs you’re overwhelmed even if you seem “just fine” on the outside
Burnout isn’t always dramatic. Sometimes it doesn’t even look like collapsing or quitting your job to move to the countryside (no judgement if that’s your big dream). But more often, burnout is ever so quiet. It creeps in slowly, very politely and it’s the kind of exhaustion that smiles on the outside, while internally wondering if lying on the sofa forever is a viable future and current life plan.
Some people won’t realise they’re burned out, until they’re deep in it. They might say, “I’m just tired,” or “I’ll be back to normal after the weekend,” or “It’s for sure the weather.” And maybe it is sometimes the weather – especially when living in the UK – but burnout has its own way of making itself known.
Here are some signs of the quiet burnout many people miss.
1. You’re exhausted… but rest doesn’t help
You go to bed early. You cancel plans. You wake up late. You take a long weekend. And somehow, you still wake up feeling like you need to go back to bed.
Burnout isn’t just physical tiredness, but it’s emotional, mental, and sometimes a bit more existential. Rest can help, but it can’t fix the underlying pressure or the ongoing stress.
2. You feel “meh” most of the time (I believe that could be a scientific term)
You’re not exactly sad… but you are not excited either. You’re somewhere in between “I’m fine” and “I don’t care that much.” Life feels muted, and everything seems a bit “meh”.
This is one of the clearest signs of burnout; the slow loss of interest in things that once felt meaningful or energising.
3. Your patience has really run out
You used to be able to handle small annoyances. Now you want to shout at your coffee for cooling down too quickly.
When you’re burned out, the capacity shrinks. The window of tolerance becomes tiny. Small tasks feel enormous and minor frustrations suddenly can feel a bit more personal.
This isn’t a character flaw but it’s a nervous system running on empty.
4. Your brain feels like it’s running 56 tabs at once
You might recognise some of these:
- Forgetting simple things
- Struggling to concentrate
- Making decisions feeling harder than they should
- Starting ten tasks and finishing… two in the best case scenario.
Burnout affects cognitive function. Your brain is trying but it’s just too tired.
5. You’re emotionally checked out
This one is often overlooked. You might find yourself feeling numb, not reacting to things that would normally excite you, avoiding people (even the ones you like), a vague feeling of being distant.
Burnout can create a sense of being disconnected from others, from your life, and sometime also from your own feelings.
6. You’re functioning but only just about
This can be the “quiet” part of the quiet burnout.
You’re still working. You’re still showing up. People might even say, “You’re doing great!” In the meantime, you’re thinking, “If one more person emails me ‘just circling back,’ I’m going to lose it.”
Burnout doesn’t always stop your life. Sometimes it just makes living it feel somehow more difficult.
So what can one do?
Burnout isn’t cured overnight, but here are some realistic places to start:
• Be honest with yourself: name what’s happening. It’s not weakness, it’s just awareness.
• Reduce what you can (even slightly): not everything can go, but some things can be postponed, delegated, or declined.
• Prioritise small moments of recovery: not gigantic self-care gestures, but only small ones. A walk, a cup of coffee, five minutes sans screen, a deep breath – tiny pauses can also matter.
• Talk to someone: burnout thrives in silence. Speaking about how you feel can give you perspective and help you slowly rebuild.
Final thoughts
If you’re feeling stretched, numb, or not quite your usual self, it isn’t a sign that you’re failing. It’s a sign that you’ve been doing your best under pressure. Burnout is a very human response to an overloaded life, and recognising it is often the first step towards feeling more like yourself again.
**Proofread with a little help from AI. The thoughts, feelings, and the questionable sense of humour are entirely my own.
Language of Self 