Burnout Is Becoming the Default Setting
Somewhere along the line, being tired stopped being a temporary state and became a personality trait. People are exhausted even after sleeping, overwhelmed before the day starts, and constantly feeling behind. In South Africa and globally, burnout is no longer limited to corporate jobs — it shows up in homes, small businesses, and daily life. The problem isn’t just workload; it’s the constant mental noise of everything that needs attention.
The Myth of “I’ll Rest When Things Calm Down”
One of the most popular lies we tell ourselves is that rest will come later. After this deadline. After the month-end rush. After things settle. The reality is that life rarely slows down on its own. Notifications, responsibilities, and expectations keep piling up, and waiting for the perfect moment to rest often means never actually resting at all. This is why people feel permanently switched on but never fully present.
Why Real Rest Feels Uncomfortable at First
True rest doesn’t always look like sleep or doing nothing. It often feels unfamiliar, even uncomfortable, because it forces us to stop performing, producing, or reacting. Many people struggle with rest not because they don’t want it, but because they’ve forgotten how to be still without guilt. Learning to rest intentionally — without earning it first — may be one of the most important skills of modern life.
