Spring— you know, what cis folks call “fun busy happy”

Is anyone else socially exhausted?

I’d wager everyone is. The NSC cited ‘Americans as being more tired than ever’ last year, and this spring’s internet trends are riddled with articles on post-pandemic social burnout (yes, I’m aware it’s not over).

But damn, I am feeling the prolonged levels of cortisol in my system and who knows how long elevated levels of stress juice have been there. Lately I’ve been able to recharge 80%.. in bursts, but am never fully recovered, a classic sign of burnout.

My friend whom I’m well acquainted with, burnout, is caused by prolonged periods of high stress and is much harder to recover from than average tiredness.

You know what’s really creepy? When I went online to google research about youth burnout in spring 2023, I got articles on ‘how to handle spring social exhaustion,’ solutions and multi-vitamins to ‘beat the spring fogginess’ and ‘how to increase momentum to ramp up to that packaged schedule.’ HOW ABOUT… making the schedule less packed? Oh my god.

The subtly with which every reason but mainstream social pressures and overworking is blamed for 60% of the population having crippling fatigue is pushing me towards founding a socialist commune faster than Netflix is pumping out dark shows.