Is it normal to feel burnout and demotivated?

Ask a Therapist Is This Normal?
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Hello,

I cannot remember when it started, but Ive always felt insecure and emotional. Things took a turn for the worse when I was stuck in a toxic relationship with a manipulative person for five years. He would constantly make me feel bad about myself, cheat on me with others, and self-harm whenever I tried to leave. Eventually, I managed to break things off, but i have never been the same since.

Now that im in a new stage of my life, I feel unhappy with where I am and constantly exhausted. I feel so demotivated to do anything and no longer find joy in the things I once loved. I just want to sleep all day and struggle to find any goals or desires in life. Im living day by day in a repetitive cycle, and at times, I find it hard to even complete simple tasks like cleaning my room or eating a meal.

I want to know if this is normal or if im being dramatic. Will this pass? Does everyone go through this at least once?

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to feel burnout. to feel that i dont want to move on with life and not having any drive or desires. feeling tired all the time and wanting to just sleep

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Hi,
i feel like its really good you brought this out into the open it takes a lot of courage and validating your feelings are like the first step yk. To answer our question… yeah, it is normal to feel burnt out and demotivated, especially with bad experiences in the past and yeah… sometimes those feelings stay with you even when you’ve tried to move on. Its like you’ve almost gotten used to the feeling…

I got advice from a friend really, when that happened. The friend told me that if you feel unhappy, or demotivated or something like that, you should make even just one small change. I know its hard, to take that first step. I think most of us have been there. But once you’ve made that small step, no matter how tiny, like say, wake up just ten minutes earlier or just make sure you’ve eaten even one good meal or maybe just made your bed, you just get into the flow of doing that small thing everyday. And maybe you’ll find yourself feeling better. Can you recall what you used to enjoy? Hobbies, Binging shows, reading? Maybe you wont exactly feel like theres meaning in it anymore… but do it anyways, nnot because you like it now, but so you can remember why, why you used to like it, why it used to bring you comfort…maybe it could also be the small change in your life- like 20min of doing what you liked. Even you feel like you’ve done nothing the whole day, youu can go to bed and say "today, i tried to do something that i used to love. Maybe it wasnt for very long, but i did something else today, and i tried to change this little bit of time in my life.

Everyone goes through this, and its normal yyou feel that way. Its important you get outside perspectives, because its hard to judge your situation when youre the one going through it all. We’re all just human, and all things will come and go. One da you’ll wake up and go “its been so long… why did i let tis toxic little minion crawl under skin, let me feel so bad about myself, and feast on my weakness” one day, it’ll jsut be a memory, and maybe the day will come faster than yyo expected. While you wait, you can tri, bit by bit, and youll see yourself rise stronger.

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Definitely get professional help. Meanwhile while waiting for ur appointment. Consult chatgpt for everything, practice the solutions for some time before seeing if its effective or not. Cardio helps the most, u will feel fresher after. I know no one likes exercise but there will be a point where ur body will start craving exercise. Eat nutritiously too n sleep ur full sleep. Ur current mood may turn ppl away but do try to socialise. Likes, goals n desires have to find new ones often until something sticks butbi think u can do that after therapy. After u get better, ur old likes, goals n desires may come back or maybe not, but its always important to find new ones. Its the same as taking a shower. Im open to hike n chat

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Hi @user1697,

From what you’ve described, it seems like the toxic relationship you endured left a lasting imprint. It’s incredibly difficult to come out of a situation like that without feeling emotionally drained and questioning your sense of self. The fact that you managed to break away from such a manipulative dynamic shows immense strength and resilience, even if it doesn’t feel that way now.

Now, as you’re trying to move forward, it sounds like you’re grappling with exhaustion, demotivation, and a loss of joy in things you once loved. Feeling stuck in a cycle like this can be overwhelming, and it’s natural to wonder if it’s something others experience or if it will pass.

These feelings are a sign that you’ve been through something significant, and your mind and body might still be trying to process and heal. Would you be open to reflecting on when these feelings became more prominent? Sometimes, pinpointing shifts in our emotions can offer insight into what might help.

Even amidst the challenges, you’ve demonstrated incredible strength:

  • Resilience: You navigated your way out of a harmful relationship, which is no small feat.
  • Self-Awareness: You’re reflecting on your emotions and questioning what’s happening, showing a desire to understand and improve.
  • Courage: Sharing your story and seeking clarity shows that you’re not giving up, even when it feels hard.

These strengths are the foundation of your ability to heal and find a way forward.

If it feels manageable, we can think about ways to ease back into a sense of purpose and joy. For instance:

  • Tiny Wins: Could you set a goal to do one small task each day, like tidying a corner of your room or making a simple meal?
  • Reconnecting with Joy: Are there low-effort versions of things you once enjoyed that you could try, like listening to a favourite song or stepping outside for fresh air?
  • Checking In: Would it help to jot down your thoughts and emotions when they feel overwhelming? Writing can sometimes bring clarity or provide relief.

What you’re going through is hard, but it’s not permanent. It’s acceptable to approach things gradually, one day at a time. You’ve already shown so much strength by making it through your past and reaching out now. If you feel ready, consider whether speaking with a counsellor could help. You deserve support, and it’s not selfish or dramatic to seek it.

Remember, healing is a journey, not a destination, and you’re not alone in this. Let me know how you’re feeling about everything, and we can explore this further together. Take care, :yellow_heart:

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Thank you, I truly appreciate your message and advice. I’ll try to follow them and take steps to keep moving foward.

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Thank you for your reply and advice. I truly appreciate the time and effort you took to help me. It means a lot.