Introduction by Brigitte Nadjar (@brigittenadjar)
“Burn-out is a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It is characterized by three dimensions:
feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion;
increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one's job; and
reduced professional efficacy.
World Health Organization(WHO)
"To name things badly is to add to the unhappiness of the world "
~Albert Camus
What is BURNOUT?
Going to work with the feeling of having a lump in your stomach.
Feeling perpetually overwhelmed by what is expected by your hierarchy, without having the material and or temporal means to achieve it.
No longer being able to think about the best way to responding to a request or requirement.
Having the brain constantly occupied with work, like a hellish merry-go-round that turns day and night, spending the day at work as if in apnoea.
Feeling like a simple instrument at the mercy of a boss all-powerful.
Being ashamed or feeling guilty when what’s happening at work is not your fault.
Burnout has nothing to do with an individual's strength or weakness, it can happen to anyone. Knowing how to recognize the signs, in oneself, in a colleague, a friend, a relative, to find the words to say it, it can save a life.
So, take a step back, see what is happening, seek or provide help, so that work remains a means of earning a living and not a means of destroying it.
DROWNING
Until a few weeks ago, burnout was only a video game from Need for Speed franchise. When I looked deeper into it, memories came back from years ago.
"Burnout is a reaction to prolonged or chronic job stress and is characterized by three main dimensions: exhaustion, cynicism (less identification with the job), and feelings of reduced professional ability."
Not everyone loves his/her job(which is very common), however, there is a section which undergoes this level of stress. Unfortunately, many are not even aware that they are suffering from burnout. It's a feeling of drowning with nothing to hold on to. Lockdown has multiplied the level of stress and pressure, employees have to go through
CRAWLING
You don't hate Mondays, you hate your job. You don't crave for weekends, you just want to get away from your stressful work. Workdays drag themselves, while weekends fly away swiftly. You try to survive workdays, crawling painfully towards brighter Saturdays and Sundays.
INDIFFERENCE
It takes everything you have, leaving you dry and lifeless. The feeling of having life and emotions sucked out from you takes a big toll on mind, soul and body. You are not you anymore.
BURDENED
The more efficient you are, the more responsibility you'll be given. The better multi-tasker you are the bigger the burden will get. When you give your 100%, they will still expect you to give more.
So much involved in work that we carry it to our homes. The dreams are occupied with lists of tasks for the next day. The mealtime becomes a formality when we know that there's a queue of people waiting for instructions. Burdened, lost and drawn! Never leisure to spare. Because when one task is done, you have 100 others in parallel waiting to be prioritised. And every time someone asks, are you free? The answer is, 'Not really!'
NOT YOUR FAULT
You aren't weak. You are as strong as everyone else. The problem is not with you. It's the system that considered you as an order-taking machine has to take the blame.
COLLAPSE
BURNOUT IS REAL. It takes a big toll on your mind and body. Getting out unscratched is not easy. Reach out to people. Get medical attention immediately. You won't recover on your own. When you notice someone you know having the same symptoms, be a helping hand. You could save someone's life.
I would take a moment to thanks my close friend Val souls_photography for her continued guidance and support throughout the series. It wouldn't have been possible without her help in conceptualization. Brigitte Nadjar (@brigittenadjar), for her selfless support, encouragement and for providing content of the introduction to the blog.
Of course, my wife and my model Rashmi (@mihappysoul) for helping me at every step and bringing out my vision to reality.
And a big thanks to all my friends on Instagram for their continued support.
I publish my photos in a series of six photos. See them first on my Instagram handle @someonekrishna. Every photo should be viewed in sequence as they are part of a series. Caption/ description is a major part of the photos. In order to understand my photos and the series better, please do read the description.