Maybe It’s Not Burnout, but Boreout

It seems like burnout, but not due to weariness, but more so in a state of being uninspiring and not exciting anymore.

When the spark fades, and the routine becomes a colourless canvas, the struggle to find inspiration in the mundane unfolds. Boredom to the core, and it could be falling into the state of boreout.

Looking back at the time I was at the peak of the videography field, It’s clear that burnout isn’t limited to long workdays. The breaking point was reached due to the endless hours spent glued to my laptop, editing videos after a long day of shooting, the monotonous routine, and the constant need for iced Americano or Red Bull to ignite my creativity. The exhaustion wasn’t just psychological, emotional, and physical from the task but also from a clear sensation that I was losing control.

But since one of my biggest passions in life is videography, I overcame these obstacles in some way and always kept in mind to view them as an opportunity to advance in my pursuit of the craft. As time passed and job after job, having successfully overcome the burnout, I began to sense that boredom slowly crept in, turning into something that made me feel quite uninterested. Repetition has dampened my creative spark, particularly in post-production work like video editing. The never-ending cycle of boredom discourages me, and I find it hard to break out from the monotonous routine. This is comparable to the burnout-induced sense of losing control.

I was uncertain because the latter is not the same as burnout; rather, it feels more like we already know how to handle it and eventually stop finding it difficult.

At that point, I realised that I used to experience burnout from it, but over time, it started to seem boring and uninspiring. Oh, now I’m in the state of the phenomenon called boreout.

What the heck with boreout?

Understanding Burnout & Boreout

In a world that often simplifies burnout into a tale of overworked individuals, the reality is much more complicated. It’s not just about the quantity of work; it’s about the complex relationship between control, stimulation and fulfilment. This subtle yet impactful phenomenon of boreout needs to be understood, as it might be silently affecting many individuals.

By conventional standards, working diligently is often praised. For some, the amount of work, duties, and aspirations is proof enough of commitment. However, what if working a lot doesn’t necessarily mean we’re immune to workplace exhaustion? Perhaps, in some cases, it’s not burnout but its cousin, boreout, that’s quietly taking its toll.

As recent research suggests, burnout is a complex emotional experience. It’s not merely about the amount of work but the complex combination of weariness, withdrawal, and worry. Weariness is characterised by emotional exhaustion, withdrawal as detachment and indifference, and worry as self-doubt and negative self-evaluation. The common thread? A lack of control over goals and timelines.

While burnout is often associated with intense activity and overwhelming demands, its lesser-known cousin, boreout, stems from being understimulated. Picture this — the monotony of daily tasks leading to irritation, cynicism, and a sense of worthlessness. It’s the slow burn of being stuck in a comfort zone, stifling personal development until it grinds to a halt.

Psychologist Steve Savels explains: “You become irritated, cynical, and you feel worthless. Although you don’t have enough to do, or what you have to do is not stimulating you enough, you get extremely stressed. (…) With a boreout, you get stuck in your ‘comfort zone’ for too long, until your personal development comes to a halt.”

The symptoms of boreout may not scream loudly like burnout but manifest in subtle ways. The constant sameness of daily tasks can breed a sense of discontent, leaving individuals feeling empty and stressed, even without an overwhelming workload.

Identifying Burnout & Boreout

Burnout: Although the study literature uses a variety of terminology to refer to burnout, fatigue, withdrawal, and worry are common characteristics used to characterise it.

1. Weary: The state of being too emotionally spent from working and not having the energy to finish duties. It is linked to a hectic work style that involves handling overload diligently until fatigue sets in.
2. Withdrawal: A loss of enthusiasm for one’s work that results in aloofness and disinterest. This is commonly observed in monotonous occupations, though it can occur in any line of work where one doesn’t feel sufficiently challenged.
3. Concern: Uncertainty regarding the capacity to carry out the task efficiently, gradually forming a propensity to assess work unfavourably. It is frequently associated with an unfulfilled demand for recognition and a lack of trust in outcomes.

Boreout: Like burnout, boreout has different characteristics that help to clarify its subtle but significant nature.

1. Monotony: The daily repetition of duties that causes one to feel disillusioned, cynical, and worthless. This is connected to activities that don’t provide adequate stimulation, leading to excessive stress.
2. Understimulation: Spending too much time in one’s “comfort zone,” which halts one’s personal growth. A gradual burn where work is not challenging, and inspiration is scarce.
3. Stress from Underchallenge: People can get really stressed out even when they aren’t given enough to do or aren’t doing anything stimulating. A lack of difficult job might impede one’s ability to progress professionally and personally.

It is clear from comparing these aspects that, although different, burnout and boredom have characteristics in common concerning workload, emotional health, and the psychological effects of work. It is essential to comprehend these subtleties to successfully handle and manage both challenges.

“Although you don’t have enough to do, or what you have to do is not stimulating you enough, you get extremely stressed.” — Steve Savels

Restoring Energy and Enthusiasm

Setting off on a voyage to reflect, rekindle passion, and replenish the diminishing energy — a persistent attempt to combat burnout and boreout.

When I was able to realign my purpose in videography after learning about the root causes of both burnout and finding out the often overlooked yet impactful boreout, I realised that the secret is to establish balance again and match our work to our emotional requirements, regardless of whether we’re experiencing burnout or boreout. Instead of aiming for complete control, consider adopting a gentle, methodical approach. Reflect on why we started our current venture and whether it aligns with our values. Seek external perspectives through brainstorming sessions with trusted colleagues and experiment with small changes to break the monotony.

Maybe we’re not grappling with burnout, but boreout — a subtler, equally impactful challenge. Recognizing the signs and understanding the intricate dance of control, stimulation, and fulfilment can pave the way for a more balanced and fulfilling professional life. So, before exhaustion takes its toll, explore the possibility that it might be boreout silently nudging us towards a change that aligns better with our emotional needs.