People Who Are Absolutely Exhausted By Hard Work Usually Say 8 Phrases In Casual Conversation
Monika Wisniewska | Shutterstock For some people, it's much easier to balance a chaotic workload and obligations at home because they take care of themselves.
But we all have our breaking point, because people who are exhausted by hard work and struggle to keep up with self-care get in over their heads. The phrases they use make it clear that they're absolutely drained from needing to work hard all the time.
Phrases people say when they are exhausted by hard work
1. 'I just never get a break'
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Many who are exhausted by their workload are intentionally blaming external things and people for their burnout. In reality, everyone, even the busiest people, has control over their time.
It's a lot easier to blame an overbearing boss or family obligations for their exhaustion, but we all make the choice for how we spend our time and set our boundaries.
It's easier said than done, but "I just never get a break" could actually be someone saying "I don't know how to rest" or "I don't know how to ask for a break," and it's wearing them down.
2. 'I have to get a handle on everything'
Folks who rely on work as a distraction or try to control everything around them are compensating for feeling out of control internally. They don't know how to handle inner turmoil or stress, so they overwork themselves trying to find security that never actually distracts them from what they're suppressing.
Hard work feels draining and exhausting over time because they're never looking inward. They're not healing the part of them that needs to be constantly moving and controlling their surroundings.
3. 'Everyone needs to stop asking me for something'
Part of what makes someone exhausted when they have a lot on their plate is not carving out space for themselves. They overstep their own boundaries to keep the peace and constantly say yes, only to turn around and blame others for their exhaustion.
You can't control how many people ask you for something or the work that's offered or even expected of you, but you do have full control over how you respond.
4. 'I just need to catch up'
Feeling behind can amplify the stress someone's feeling. They're handling all their typical responsibilities, but also everything they've procrastinated or fallen behind on, including rest.
They're always operating in fight-or-flight mode, making silence and stillness feel impossible to truly enjoy. Working hard exhausts them because they don't know how to get to a place that's not defined by frantic energy.
5. 'I need to emotionally prepare for that'
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When you have to build up the courage or mental energy to do something, it can be a whole lot more draining when your workload is overflowing. They may think about going somewhere for days before it happens or stress over a project for longer than they need to.
You can put yourself out there and step outside of your comfort zone without being fully prepared. In fact, discomfort is how we grow and become more resilient, so it's necessary.
6. 'I'm juggling a million things'
Our brains don't like to multitask. Even if it looks and feels like we're getting more done by juggling everything at once, our brains are even more depleted when we're constantly switching between tasks.
So, if working hard means multitasking for someone, as it does for someone using a phrase like "I'm juggling a million things right now," there's a chance that switching between all of them is extra draining and taxing on their well-being.
7. 'I just need to be alone'
Many introverts are at risk for experiencing burnout because they need independent, alone time in order to recharge their social battery. If they're overworking themselves in an open office setting or scheduling too many social events after a long day, they're draining their energy consistently at their own expense.
So, if you hear someone saying "I just need to be alone," it's not necessarily the work on their plates that's draining them. It's all the extra social expectations and obligations that make them feel stressed out and exhausted.
8. 'I just need to make it to the weekend'
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If someone's constantly pushing themselves too hard during the week and avoiding rest in pursuit of the weekend, chances are they're going to burn out quickly by hard work. Compared to someone who takes care of themselves and protects their boundaries, these folks often can't do anything but sleep and sit in silence during their free time.
They sabotage themselves by working for something, like the weekend or time off. It's always "once I make it here, I can rest," instead of being intentional about caring for themselves in the moment.
Zayda Slabbekoorn is a senior editorial strategist with a bachelor's degree in social relations & policy and gender studies who focuses on psychology, relationships, self-help, and human interest stories.
