21 Unmistakable Signs That Your Job is Toasting You to Crispiness

11. You Dread the Weekend Ending—Every Single Week

Everyone gets a little Monday blues now and then, but if your entire weekend is overshadowed by the thought of returning to work, burnout might be setting in. Instead of enjoying your time off, you spend Sunday night (or even all of Saturday) feeling anxious, dreading emails, or mentally preparing for the week ahead. You might feel physically sick on Sunday evenings, struggling with headaches, stomach discomfort, or even a tightness in your chest as work creeps back into your mind. Maybe you check your work email "just to stay ahead," only to feel even more stressed. If you find yourself longing for a break before the weekend is even over, it's a clear sign your job is draining you beyond the usual workweek fatigue.

12. Your Creativity Has Gone Missing

Burnout doesn’t just drain your energy—it drains your ability to think outside the box. If you used to come up with innovative ideas, solve problems easily, or feel excited about brainstorming, but now struggle to think of anything beyond the bare minimum, burnout could be the culprit. When stress overwhelms your mind, it shuts down creative thinking and leaves you stuck in survival mode. You might feel like you're just going through the motions, unable to contribute fresh ideas in meetings or find creative solutions to problems. Even outside of work, activities that once sparked joy—like writing, painting, or playing music—no longer feel inspiring. If your creativity has gone missing, your brain might be too exhausted from work stress to function at full capacity.