By Kendall Bumpers, DTU Intern
Forwarf Times
https://www.forwardtimes.com/
I’ve experienced burnout more times than I can count. Usually, it starts small—maybe I skip an assignment or procrastinate. But eventually, it snowballs until I’m completely avoiding my responsibilities… until I can’t anymore. I know this isn’t the healthiest way to handle things, but it got me thinking: Why does this happen so often? Why are we, as young adults, so burnt out already? Why are we tired before we’ve even gotten the chance to live?
While burnout was once thought of as a midlife crisis or something that happens after decades of working, it has become a defining experience for young adults—many of whom are still in school or just entering the workforce. We’re exhausted, overextended, and emotionally drained before we even get the chance to fully start our adult lives. This isn’t just a personal issue; it’s a societal one.
I want to explore the root causes behind this early-onset burnout among young adults. By looking at societal pressures, economic insecurity, the effects of social media, and the lack of mental health support, we can begin to understand why so many of us are breaking down before we’ve even had a chance to build ourselves up.
1. We’re Told We’re “Too Young to Be Tired”
At some point, most of us have heard it: “You don’t even know what stress is yet.” That kind of rhetoric invalidates the very real pressure young people feel today.
“With 18- to 34-year-olds saying their average stress level is a 6 out of 10, compared with a 3.4 among people ages 65 and older,” APA’s 2023 Stress in America survey found.
When our stress is constantly dismissed, we begin to believe it’s not valid—until it bubbles over.
2. Hustle Culture Made Us Believe Rest = Failure
We live in a world that glorifies overworking. The more exhausted you are, the more “serious” you must be about your goals, right? Platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn are full of highlight reels—people announcing promotions, perfect GPAs, internships, and side hustles.
You start asking yourself: “Am I doing enough?” But that question can spiral fast. The pressure to keep up can be so heavy that it turns into burnout before we even realize it.
Reminder: Productivity is not the same as self-worth. You’re allowed to rest.
3. Social Media Comparison Is Mentally Draining
We grew up online. And while social media has some bright spots, it’s also where comparison thrives. Seeing people succeed back to back to back can make you feel like a failure in slow motion.
Learning to filter not only what you’re seeing on your social media—but also how much time you spend there—can help lessen the mental toll it takes. It’s not inherently wrong to share your wins. But over time, it builds this illusion that everyone has it figured out except you.
That illusion? It’s one of the fastest ways to burn out.
4. Economic Insecurity Plays a Huge Role
A lot of us are working part-time jobs, taking full course loads, helping family, and still barely getting by. Tuition is high. Rent is high. Food is expensive.
It’s hard to “stay motivated” when you’re constantly stressed about survival.
Burnout isn’t just emotional—it’s economic. We’re expected to grind for a future that feels less and less secure. That takes a toll, even if we don’t always talk about it.
5. COVID Changed How We Learn and Work Forever
I can’t talk about burnout without talking about COVID. I was in high school when the pandemic hit, and for the first time, I had to manage my learning completely alone. No teachers checking in face-to-face. No classmates. No routine.
That experience shifted everything for me. It made me question how much of my self-worth was tied to grades. Even now, as a college junior, I’m still unlearning the idea that GPA equals value. COVID didn’t just disrupt school—it changed how we cope, how we connect, and how we measure ourselves.
I learned not to measure my self-worth based on academic performance. Now, this isn’t me excusing myself to get bad grades, but I understand that GPA doesn’t determine my intelligence. I have to take into account the circumstances of that semester, which may have impacted my academic performance. I reflect on what I could have done differently and plan to apply those lessons to do better.
6. Saying “No” Is a Skill We’re Still Learning
As young adults, we feel like we have to say yes to everything—join every club, apply to every opportunity, stay booked and busy. But sometimes, doing too much ends with nothing getting done well.
Learning to say no isn’t quitting. It’s protecting your peace. It’s understanding your capacity and making room for what matters.
7. It’s Okay to Crash, Just Don’t Stay There
One piece of advice that stuck with me came from a friend: “Sometimes, you just have to crashout.”
We can’t always hold it together. It’s okay to cry, rest, and reset. Just don’t confuse growing pains with failure. Growth is supposed to be uncomfortable. Burnout isn’t always about weakness—it’s about learning your limits.
TSU student Zettoria H. says that when dealing with feelings of burnout, “I sit with myself and cry it out.” She suggests the importance of letting your community help you cope, stating: “Don’t push people away who want to help you. Give yourself grace and keep moving.”
🔎 Clarification: “Crashout” is a cultural term often used to describe a full mental/emotional breakdown moment. Think: crying in bed, phone on Do Not Disturb, binge-watching shows until you can breathe again.
I used to feel guilty for being burned out. I’d see people handling more than I was—still smiling, still making the dean’s list. But what comes easily to someone else might be hard for me. And that’s okay.
I had to learn to give myself the same grace I’d give a friend. Burnout taught me boundaries. It taught me self-compassion. And most importantly, it reminded me that life isn’t a race.
So the next time you feel like you’re falling behind, pause. Take a breath. And remember: Your worth isn’t measured by how much you get done.
We’re learning how to cope. How to protect ourselves. How to push back against a culture that tells us to grind until we disappear.
That’s strength—not weakness.
And if no one has told you this today:
You’re allowed to rest.
You’re allowed to not be okay.
And you will be okay again soon.
