Timeless Time: Clocked In, Burnt Out
Why are we tired even after so much sleep? Why is there never enough time? Why does doing nothing feel so wrong? Let’s talk about being chronically busy and devastatingly exhausted.
Don’t worry, it’s not just a “you” problem. Time is strange – precious, endlessly spent but somehow never enough. Just like how Alice chases the White Rabbit in Wonderland, we run after deadlines and expectations without stopping to ask why. As of last year, Singapore was ranked the world’s most tired country, driven by long hours and high stress lifestyles. So, who started the clock?
Down the Rabbit-Hole
Nowadays, rest feels like something that is earned only if you’ve “done enough”, but what is enough? As humans, we all strive for perfection, but our bodies have a limit and pushing too far might take its toll on our minds and bodies. Productivity without a pause leads to burnout, illness and a version of unproductivity that’s forced and not chosen.
So, even in our day-to-day activities, we need to remind ourselves that it’s okay to take occasional breaks from time to time. But why does slowing down feel so… wrong?
All in the Golden Afternoon
Photo Credit: CNA
I say the current concept of hustle culture is the problem. Now, productivity and long hours are equated to success and hard work. Resting gets framed as “lazy”, instead of necessary. In the psychological aspect, this guilt is the nagging feeling of shame and anxiety which prevents true relaxation and can cause unwanted stress, even during breaks. Although we know it’s hard to break out of this cycle, recognising it may be the first step to changing the pace of life.
The Pool of Tears
Photo Credit: DDI Blog
Burnouts don't look the same for everyone. Shaped by each individual’s expectations, process and pace, it may not come in the form of breakdowns. Instead, it could come through the lack of motivation or numbness. Here’s a few key signs:
Feeling tired or drained on most days even after enough sleep
Difficulty concentrating or constantly forgetting things
Snapping at others and feeling overwhelmed easily
Sometimes, when taken too far, we can get stuck in functional burnout: A state where one puts up a “facade” to maintain high performance on the surface and suppresses the burnout on the inside, making it invisible for others to spot.
The Mock Turtle’s Story
While sleep disorders and health conditions are inevitable, there are other controllable variables that can affect your rest. While the recommended sleeping hours are seven to eight hours, the quality of sleep matters more. Jolting awake from an alarm going off, waking up from tossing in your heated room, having a big meal or drinking alcohol four hours before sleep – can lead to poorer quality of sleep throughout the night. To get a better night’s sleep, ensure a comfortable environment, avoid the screens (even if it’s hard), exercise regularly and refrain from taking caffeine or alcohol.
Advice from A Caterpillar
In a world that moves too fast, rest comes with guilt and sleep no longer feels restorative. While the hustle culture celebrates constant motion, our bodies keep score, the burnout creeps up on us, way before we realise it. Noticing the signs, prioritising rest and letting go isn’t about doing less. Slowing down isn’t falling behind, but what allows us to last longer. A caterpillar doesn't (rush to) become a butterfly overnight, and we neither should we.
