Burnout Starts Quiet: Learning to Step Away From the Screen
I’m on my computer nonstop—writing, editing, building content for clients. Once I sit down and start working, time disappears.
Next thing I know, the sun has moved across the sky, I haven’t eaten, and I haven’t left the house. No sun. No air. Just screen.
It doesn’t hit like a crash. It creeps up. Quiet. Subtle. That’s the danger.
How to Tell You’ve Been Stuck Too Long
•You can’t remember the last time you stood up.
•Your eyes are dry or burning.
•Your shoulders feel like stone.
•You’re tired, but wired.
•You realize you haven’t even looked outside.
3 Simple Questions I Now Ask Myself
1.) Have I stepped outside today?
2.) Have I moved my body—at all?
3.) Do I feel energized, or just… drained?
Sometimes just asking is enough to snap me out of autopilot.
Tiny Shifts That Make a Big Difference
•Set a timer for every 90 minutes. Get up, move, stretch.
•Drink water away from your desk.
•Step outside for 5 minutes—yes, even if you’re busy.
•Put your phone down during meals.
•End your day with a real sunset, not a screen fade.
The Work Will Wait. Your Body Won’t.
I love what I do. But I’m learning that rest isn’t optional—it’s part of the process.
So this is your reminder (and mine): move. Breathe. Touch grass. Let the sun hit your face.
Because the work will still be there. But you—you need light, movement, and space to keep going.
Next thing I know, the sun has moved across the sky, I haven’t eaten, and I haven’t left the house. No sun. No air. Just screen.
It doesn’t hit like a crash. It creeps up. Quiet. Subtle. That’s the danger.
How to Tell You’ve Been Stuck Too Long
•You can’t remember the last time you stood up.
•Your eyes are dry or burning.
•Your shoulders feel like stone.
•You’re tired, but wired.
•You realize you haven’t even looked outside.
3 Simple Questions I Now Ask Myself
1.) Have I stepped outside today?
2.) Have I moved my body—at all?
3.) Do I feel energized, or just… drained?
Sometimes just asking is enough to snap me out of autopilot.
Tiny Shifts That Make a Big Difference
•Set a timer for every 90 minutes. Get up, move, stretch.
•Drink water away from your desk.
•Step outside for 5 minutes—yes, even if you’re busy.
•Put your phone down during meals.
•End your day with a real sunset, not a screen fade.
The Work Will Wait. Your Body Won’t.
I love what I do. But I’m learning that rest isn’t optional—it’s part of the process.
So this is your reminder (and mine): move. Breathe. Touch grass. Let the sun hit your face.
Because the work will still be there. But you—you need light, movement, and space to keep going.
Published on April 19, 2025 16:04
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Tags:
author-life, mental-health, self-care, writer-s-burn-out, writing, writing-community, writing-fatigue
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