As introverts, we are naturally observant, intuitive and more sensitive than others, and that is also what makes us more prone to burnout.
We can become mentally, physically and/or emotionally exhausted or overwhelmed when faced with life’s bigger challenges.
Instinctively, every introvert knows this, but not many stop to question the reasons behind it.
So here are the main reasons why introverts are more prone to burnout than their more extroverted counterparts:
1. We put other people’s needs above our own
If you’ve ever had a hard time convincing others that just because you haven’t made any plans, it doesn’t mean that you have free time, then you know what we’re talking about here. Introverts often end up putting the needs of other people above their own.
Also, the word “No” has a deep, guilt-triggering effect on us, and combined with our habit of overthinking people’s reactions, this can be extremely damaging to our psyche.
Putting the needs of others before your own can not only leave you with nothing left to give, but it also drains you of the energy you need to take care of yourself which, in turn, causes you to experience burnout.
2. We care too much about society’s expectations
A busy and full life gives us many chances to connect with other people and create memories. However, as introverts we’re not very good at striking up conversations and making new connections, so we tend to put on our extrovert mask when the situation requires it. When we give it our all to meet society where it wants us to be, we reach a limit in socializing quickly, which makes us vulnerable to burnout. Some people also call it the “introvert hangover,” which is just a short way to say one is exhausted from too much intense socializing.
Sadly, society is not always understanding of our need for alone time, so when we take time away from all the buzz to recharge our batteries, we can come across as boring and even rude. Needless to say, when you need rest, you should rest, no matter what others may think of you.
3. We prefer structure and routine
In order to function properly and take care of the people we love, we introverts need routine. Most introverts are more at peace when our day has a sense of predictability to it.
But regardless of how much planning we do beforehand, our routines will naturally get disrupted for one reason or another. And when we have to make quick, on-the-spot decisions, we can experience severe burnout by the end of the day.
A good way to handle this is to be intentional and deliberate so that the unexpected disruptions of life don’t hit you so hard as to leave you incapable to revisit your routine. Also, creating schedules can help, as well as anticipating unpleasant scenarios, no matter how positive you may feel about a certain outcome.
Another good way to sidestep burnout is to focus on calmly transitioning from one task to another. This will help your work life from pouring into your personal one, and vice-versa. Create a structure to help you navigate through your work tasks and come up with a separate structure where you can schedule activities such as doing housework, going to the gym, spending time with friends and family and so on. Plan ahead and communicate the logistics of your plan to the people involved. Even if your days start looking different, you will need some structure to help you keep burnout at bay.
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