Don't let work consume you, take care of you

Workplace burnout is a state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion caused by prolonged stress, overwork, and lack of balance in life. It can result in feelings of hopelessness, detachment, and cynicism towards work and life in general.

When looking for work, I look for something that won't easily burn me out, but at times, some work seems perfect the first time. While you work there, you will begin to notice that it is not always rosy inside.

I remember looking for work so much after service, not like jobs were not coming, but looking at the work schedule, the salary, and the stress involved, I noticed it wasn't worth it. So I dropped it, but finally, I saw one; the salary was average, but the work stress was less, so I taught, and the managing director promised to increase the salary with time.

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I took it because I didn't have to work on Saturday and Sunday. When I resumed work, I wasn't taken to the department I applied for but another, which at first I didn't complain cause it was almost the same thing with that one. Gradually work became hectic.

I wasn't feeling it because we were three handlings the responsibility, although sometimes I burned out, but not as much as when the others were there. Suddenly, one person resigned, unannounced that his salary hadn't been increased as promised, which left the two of us to do the work alone.

Work became hectic, and most days, I forgot that I hadn't had anything at all till closing time. My food has gotten spoiled, and I have to take it back home, sometime I eat both morning, afternoon, and dinner once.

The real burnout started when my second colleague stopped coming too without prior notice; mind you, the first person hasn't been replaced. I have to cover three jobs at the same time; I become the supervisor, the quality control personnel, which was my duty before now, and the storekeeper too, and whenever I get home, I am always exhausted, and I will fall asleep as soon as my head rests on the bed.

I developed serious back aches and constant headaches, and I am always tired. Every little thing irritates me; I snapped at everybody, including my boss, one day. Soon, it started telling on my body. Everybody was like you are slimming down; are you on weight loss. Your eyes are always falling inside; I have to tell the management to employ someone else cause I can't cope alone anymore. I close work very late, and even when I get to the house, my phone will ring is still working.

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At a stage, I decided that I had enough before I collapsed one day because of work; I drew out my schedule for each day, and I let everybody know that I wouldn't be taking work calls after work hours. Did they listened " No"? Did l pick up their calls? "No"? I resolve to block their numbers once I am home and unblock them in the morning as I get to the office.

As for my work duties, once it is twelve or one o'clock, that's my lunchtime, no matter what you need if I am not done. I won't leave that food for you. You will wait till am done, then I will attend to you. Instead of climbing the staircase up and down for the same reason. I ask everybody, as soon they are settled, to write down what they need for their morning work, bring it all at once we head to the store room, and you pick it up.

Once I step into the second office to attend to clients, I won't answer you. I made them understand that I am the only one here now; it is either my way or the work suffers. So everybody has to sit up. That's how work burnout was reduced for me. The stress is still there but not as much as the first time, no more constant headaches, fatigue, and anger. Although few people tend to default at times, the workload has reduced.I handed some responsibility to some people too. I pay more attention to clients and a few other things.

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