Burnout Is Stealing Your Life – And You Might Not Even Notice
Work doesn’t really stop at five anymore. It sneaks into dinner, hijacks weekends, and sometimes even shows up on vacation – if you’re lucky enough to take one. According to a recent study from Headway, the book summary app, we’re not just working more – we’re living less. And the cost isn’t just physical; it’s deeply personal.
Sixty percent of us spend our free time simply recovering from work. Let that sink in. Not enjoying a walk, calling a friend, or reading something that isn’t an email, but just lying flat, trying to recover. That’s not living; that’s slow burnout on repeat.
And while “hustle culture” has sold us the idea that passion projects and side gigs make the grind worth it, Headway’s data tells a bleaker story. Half of working adults say they don’t have hobbies anymore. A quarter admit they feel guilty even for taking time to enjoy them. Leisure has somehow morphed into another kind of work, or worse, slacking.
But here’s the kicker: 25% of workers say they don’t feel like they have a personality outside their job anymore. We’re turning into job titles with inboxes, not people with lives. And if that doesn’t make you pause, consider this – nearly two-thirds of us daydream about quitting just to focus on ourselves.
The numbers aren’t just bleak. They’re a loud wake-up call.
When doomscrolling becomes self-care
These days, the go-to “downtime” is doomscrolling – and for 47% of workers, it’s their top way to unwind. Not because it’s fun or fulfilling, but because it demands nothing. Just thumb, tap, swipe. It’s what’s left when you have no energy to read, paint, stretch, or even care.
For 43%, it’s more than a habit – it’s the highlight of the day. Think about that for a second. The high point of someone’s day is not connection, movement, or growth – it’s scrolling through bad news and angry strangers. That’s not laziness. It’s burnout in disguise.
Work has become identity, not just a job
The study shows 36% have given up exercise, 32% stopped socializing, and 34% abandoned self-improvement goals. Even dating has become too exhausting for one in six professionals. When was the last time you picked up a hobby, not to make money or be productive, but just because it made you happy?
This isn’t simply about working long hours. It’s about an always-on culture that makes rest feel wasteful, hobbies selfish, and self-care a guilty pleasure.
How do we fix it?
Start small. Read ten pages of a book instead of ten minutes on TikTok. Say “yes” to dinner plans, even if you’re tired. Paint badly. Walk slowly. Make time for something that doesn’t need to be optimized or measured.
You might not be able to quit your job or cut your hours right now. But you can reclaim your time, your hobbies, your joy – one small decision at a time. The daily grind doesn’t have to grind you down.
Written by Cindy Cavoto, certified productivity coach at Headway app
Cindy Cavato is a Productivity Coach and Project Manager with 15+ years of experience in digital marketing, business operations, and time management. She helps teams and business owners build clear, effective systems that boost performance without burnout.