Defying Burnout: Deconstructing Internalized Capitalism

You've played by the rules—you got your education, maybe a college degree, and then you went to work with the promise that you would be able to work your way up. To "make something of yourself."

Maybe you successfully climbed the ladder, or maybe you didn't, but let me make something clear: you are not something to be made by your profession. Your value is not equivalent to the dollar amount you produce (most likely for a business beyond your control).

Rejecting the mindset of Value=$ is easier said than done. We live in a capitalist society that demands participation. Even so, we can practice mindfulness when it comes to the following areas.

If you can, have boundaries with work.

Take. Your. Vacation. Days. And your sick days. They are yours.

When you're not on the clock, try not to bring work home with you. This isn't always possible, and there are some jobs that require being on-call, but try not to blur your own work-life balance.

The line you draw is up to you. I like to ask myself, "What is a reasonable expectation?" If it's 10 PM, you can probably respond to that email tomorrow. We're not all privileged enough to set every boundary we'd like with work, so do your best with your situation.

Reframe the idea of rest.

The guilt of "doing nothing" is hard to unlearn. As an avid consumer of media—books, television, music, you name it—I spent younger years chastising myself for wasting too much time. But really, it isn't possible to do nothing. When you're catching up on your favorite show, fiddling with a hobby of yours, or even taking a nap, you are doing the important work of resting your mind and body.

This concept might take constant practice, like a mental rubber band snapped against the wrist. Give yourself the grace to enjoy things, whether they are productive or not.

Keep a hobby that's just for you.

The gig economy. The "grindset." 15 Ways to Turn Your Hobby into a Side Hustle.

There's nothing wrong with using your hobbies and interests to make money, but it can create a creeping sense of stress: How can I monetize this? Hobbies are meant to be fun, so if you ever find yourself becoming stressed or losing joy in something, it may be time to examine your approach.

Sharing your creativity with the world is an admirable goal, so if you want to publish, sell, etc., go for it! Just make sure that you have at least one hobby that's main focus is bringing you joy, regardless of its financial worth.

Support each other.

A caring support network is what we all need to feel seen and validated—

not just for what we can produce, but for who we are as people.

This can feel especially difficult when we're all distracted and fatigued, but that's all the more reason to band together and give each other assurances.

You are enough.

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Sage T. Green, Author