In recent months, I’ve often wondered when the breaking point is reached—the moment when the pressure becomes too much, and everything falls apart. I think many of us have experienced this, whether at work, in family life, or other areas. For me, it felt like an invisible hand was pressing down on my shoulders, pushing me lower and lower. Eventually, it felt like I couldn’t breathe, like every day was just an endless to-do list I needed to check off to survive. Burnout.

Burnout isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a serious crisis of exhaustion affecting more and more people. According to a survey by Techniker Krankenkasse, 29% of workers in Germany report feeling exhausted due to stress. It’s no wonder: the working world is speeding up, expectations are rising, and the boundaries between work and personal life are blurring. A few years ago, I would have laughed at the concept of work-life balance—today, I realize how crucial that balance is.

But where does this overwhelming feeling come from? Is it just external pressure, or do we play a part in it ourselves?

Structural Issues: When Work Never Ends

Many people experience constantly increasing demands at work. We’re expected to be more efficient, always available, and never lose our good mood. Often, these expectations are unrealistic. In my field, marketing, it’s normal to answer emails on weekends or finish presentation slides late at night. Everyone seems to be giving 120%, but it’s simply unsustainable in the long run.

A study by Gallup shows that only 15% of German employees feel emotionally engaged with their company. This means the vast majority of us feel stressed, overwhelmed, and downright dissatisfied at work. It’s no surprise, then, that burnout is becoming more common.

But it’s not just increasing demands that are problematic. A lack of appreciation plays a huge role too. I often feel like there’s little room for breaks in the working world. The expectation is that we just keep going until we can’t anymore. But that’s dangerous. The body can’t perform indefinitely without eventually pulling the emergency brake.

Personal Responsibility: Perfectionism and the Fear of Not Being Enough

In addition to external factors, I’ve also recognized that I’m not blameless when it comes to my burnout. I’ve always wanted to be the best—at work, in my personal life, in everything. I was driven by an internal perfectionism that never allowed me to make mistakes or slow down. This constant striving for perfection ultimately burned me out.

Studies show that people with particularly high expectations of themselves are more prone to burnout. Psychologist Martin Seligman talks about "learned helplessness"—we put so much pressure on ourselves that we eventually feel like we have no control over our lives.

Another factor I can’t ignore is the fear of not being good enough. We live in a society where success is often equated with overwork. The mantra drilled into us is that those who work the hardest have made it. But that’s a misconception. Success should not mean sacrificing oneself.

What Can We Do? Ways Out of Burnout

The first and most important thing I’ve learned is that burnout is not a sign of weakness. It’s a signal that something needs to change—in our lives, in the way we treat ourselves, and in how we work.

For me, the first step was admitting that I was overwhelmed. I started to take more conscious breaks, set boundaries, and say, "No, I can’t do this anymore." It wasn’t always easy because our surroundings often don’t accept that we need breaks. But I’ve learned that it’s okay not to always be functioning.

On a structural level, changes are needed too. Companies need to recognize that satisfied and balanced employees are more productive. Flexible working hours, clear work structures, and, above all, appreciation can do much to make people feel comfortable in their jobs again.

Another aspect that needs to change at an organizational level is how work schedules are planned. Work schedules have to be adapted so people are not planned to 100% (or more) of their capacity. If we plan weeks like that, we will never be prepared for unforeseen events and will also not be able to reach the flow state, which is known to enhance productivity and job satisfaction. Allowing space for flexibility and creativity in the schedule ensures employees can tackle challenges effectively and work at their best.

Ultimately, burnout is a societal challenge. It’s a combination of external demands and internal pressures. We need to get a handle on both to stay healthy in the long run. Life is too short to spend it merely functioning.

I’m still working on reminding myself of that every day.

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