What Burnout Actually Looks Like (It’s Not Just Tiredness)

Burnout is often described as being "really tired". In practice it's more specific, and recognising it early makes it easier to recover.

The three signs

Psychologists usually describe burnout in three parts:

• Exhaustion that sleep doesn't fix.
• Detachment: feeling numb, cynical or distant from clients and from yourself.
• A sense of not being good enough, even when you're doing well.

Why sex workers are at risk

Emotional labour, irregular hours, secrecy and stigma all add load. Many workers also lack the things that protect other professions: supervision, sick pay, colleagues to debrief with.

Burnout isn't a sign you're in the wrong job. It's a sign the load is bigger than the support.

If this sounds familiar, the free Burnout Self-Check worksheet is a good place to start.