21 Unmistakable Signs That Your Job is Toasting You to Crispiness

13. Small Tasks Feel Like Huge Mountains

Ever found yourself staring at a simple email, feeling like it’s the hardest thing in the world to respond to? That’s burnout at work. Everyday tasks—ones that used to be quick and easy—start feeling overwhelming. You might procrastinate more than usual, struggling to start even minor assignments. The idea of responding to a Slack message, attending a short meeting, or updating a spreadsheet might feel like an impossible burden. You might start avoiding work altogether, letting tasks pile up until they become even more stressful. If your mental energy is so depleted that small tasks feel like insurmountable obstacles, your job could be pushing you past your limits.

14. You’ve Stopped Taking Care of Yourself

Burnout can make even basic self-care feel exhausting. You might stop exercising, eat more takeout than usual, or neglect personal hygiene in small ways—like skipping your morning skincare routine or putting off haircuts. Maybe you used to love cooking, but now the thought of preparing a meal feels overwhelming. Maybe you’ve started skipping workouts because you’re too drained, even though you know exercise helps. Even getting out of bed in the morning might feel harder than it used to. If you’re neglecting things that once made you feel good, your job might be stealing energy you need for yourself.