You're feeling burnt out from work. What can you do to rekindle your passion for journalism?

The risk of burnout is very high. Journalists are often underpaid and under-supported. The nature of finding impactful stories takes time that goes against the drive for regular content. Ownership wants a return on their investment when quality journalism may not generate large audiences. One executive told me: we naively believe if we love the company, it will love us back. But we face layoffs and shutdowns. I recommend not comparing your success to others. Focus on your personal victories and find new challenges. Keep your resume up to date. Have a mentor. Use your vacation time. Have personal relationships outside of work. Take care of your body, mind, and money so you're strong and clear-headed. Journalism is only a slice of you.

Burnout is something to be keenly cautious of in news. We can feel like the there's always another story and we are only as good as our last scoop. I would make sure you celebrate your wins and pace yourself. Make sure you are not comparing yourself too much to others and listen to your manager's feedback on what you need to achieve that is specific to your circumstances and output.

Journalism is the most exciting and very demanding career. As a scribe, I'm always on standby for the latest development that is newsworthy so as to be among the first sources to break it to the masses. As a journalist and editor, a times I get overwhelmed by the amount of innumerable news items that need to be fact-checked, verified, edited and published on time. This normally leads to burnout. The best remedy for a burnout as a newsman is either soliciting for off day if you're employed or just break from daily routine if you're freelancer. While on break, seek the services of a professional masseuse/masseur for a therapeutic full body massage. This helps rejuvenate as it usually refreshes the mind, relaxes the body and soul.

Burn out is common experience for many. It can manifest in many ways including lack of morale to perform tasks that would normally seem easy. As a writer who is constantly toying with new ideas and telling stories on wide ranging topics, burn out is something I know well. It's like an old friend, who sneaks up on you when least expcted, beckoning you to stop everything and come out to play. When I feel tired, lethargic and foggy, I know it is time to take a break from work and find a fun activity to get me away from my desk. Last Friday, I wandered into #BroadviewHotel- #RoofTopBar in search of an escape. Sometimes I take a long leisurely walk or a coffee break. I would say, to each his own. Find something you enjoy doing outside work.

Here are a few strategies to rekindle your passion for journalism: Return to Your "Why": Reflect on why you chose journalism in the first place. Was it the thrill of uncovering stories, the desire to inform the public, or the passion for writing? Take a Break: Sometimes, the best way to fall back in love with your work is to step away from it for a while. Take some time off to recharge your batteries. Diversify Your Work: Try to diversify your assignments or projects. Exploring new beats or mediums (like podcasts or video journalism) can provide a fresh perspective and renewed interest. Engage with Inspirational Work: Spend time reading, watching, or listening to work that inspired you to become a journalist.

See burnout as a message to you that something needs to change. If you listen to the message and explore what is causing you to feel this way and take some action then you can end up going from a negative experience to a positive outcome.

In my experience, you need to find the thing you really love doing in journalism. So it can be a specific area of journalism like environment, sports, or politics journalism. Do what you like. Speak with other colleagues as well, who have experience in this profession.

Burnout , is when your capacity (mental & Physical) to work converts into constant stress. So, there are a few questions that one needs to find an answer for, 1. What is or are those things that are causing stress and making you feel Burnout? 2. How can you change your routine to make things better? (For this it's also important to know, is it the routine that's cracking you?) 3. Why are you pushing yourself to do what you are doing in your work life ? Sit with a paper and pen and answer these questions truthfully. Once you have the answers remedies can be designed accordingly.

I have found in the past at least for me, stories are a commodity. While each one is different, we see so much we get numb to the violence, the crisis, the terrible things but somehow, there is always one which unleashes all these pent-up feelings like a floodgate. I visit with friends or spend time at Church. We see a lot and there is nothing wrong with expressing your thoughts to keep you on track.

When you’re feeling stuck or increasingly frustrated, it’s time to talk to those that can provide you perspective - and help you see a path that’s more productive, fulfilling. Take a colleague to coffee - this can be someone who sits outside of your team or works at another company. These people can share their different experiences and provide you objective guidance on how to navigate situations. Form a network of “people in your orbit” that can serve as a sounding board and who give you energy versus those that want to just complain. Bemoaning work is okay to a point but doesn’t really do much. However, taking steps to learn and explore ways that can improve your experience or perspective can be super helpful.

Everyone needs a well-rounded life. It's easy in journalism to get addicted to the thrill of the news business. But to stay sane, your life must be more than your job. That means having a hobby or two or three. I know this from experience. Here are some ideas. Read a book in the evening instead of watching the news; you've likely already done that more than once a day. If you can (and I know it can be hard), walk home a different route each day. Observe what you see and hear. Soak in the tub in silence. Grow some flowers, even if you live in an apartment. You get the idea.

I think in my case, I’ll watch family feud with my family before going to bed and listening to reruns of forensic files to go to sleep to. Also me watching my two sons act silly puts me in a better mood and helps me tackle the next day at work.

Journalists should not be forced to tolerate the low salaries. The only reason why journalism is suffering is because the revenue models have not been updated much since the Internet took the world by storm, and consolidation has controlled the media, eliminating independent minds. Journalism is an honorable profession, and we should find ways of changing the model that makes it competitive against the current models.

Prioritize your wellbeing. This means setting boundaries, getting rest, eating healthy and staying active. Take your PTO …. No one will ever tell you to work less, so you have to know yourself and understand when you need to step away and rejuvenate.

Write a letter to yourself laying out your hopes and career aspirations for the next year. Be honest. Identify if the job you are currently in has the potential to help you achieve those goals and if not, ask yourself why are you still there? Think through alternatives that might be better suited to helping you create the journalism career you desire. If the pain points causing the burnout are greater than the satisfaction you receive from "getting the story" perhaps it's time to rewrite your own story. Make a list of pros and cons and see which column is greater. The most important goal is to be true to yourself and understand that careers take many twists and turns and if you are feeling burnout it's likely time to make an adjustment.

If you are feeling burnout, take a deep breath step back and consider if this is something you want to spend your life doing. It takes dedication and a never say never mindset to deal with the terrible things we see, the egos and the detractors. However, there are good things, interesting stories, meeting a variety of professionals and being on the front row to major events. There is nothing wrong with considering other options, heck, I was approached to be an FBI PIO, A spokesperson for a major car chain in Texas, and other PR related jobs. If this career is something that is causing a lot of stress beyond just a fleeting thought, then consider a change. Maybe a change inside the business to management or elsewhere.

Most companies have a review process, however, it’s good to give yourself the time and space to assess and plan on your own. The start of the new year is a time when i take stock of things, and I try to come up with a mantra of sorts that will motivate me to…. Such as “find the joy”…. This was about making sure I was focused on the right things - being with people who could teach me new things, raise my hand for new experiences, etc… one time it was “no drama”…. i just turned down the volume of unhealthy relationships or to doing things that dragged me down ….

Don’t be afraid to switch beat. It can lead to a lot of growth. It can teach you how to build new contacts, connect with new communities and write different kinds of stories.

Explore options for reviving the passion that drew you to journalism. I worked on the TV side: so that’s my reference point. Example: the morning show shift can be draining: so look for an opportunity to work another shift. Maybe you’re burnt out on a certain beat: ask for a different one. Maybe you’re a reporter: look for an opportunity to learn anchoring. There are options. And, there are other markets: maybe it’s time to apply to larger markets or a part of the country you would love to experience. So if you still love “the business”; there are options for re-sparking the passion!

Being a journalist is a terrific privilege. The most energising part is the potential to make a difference. I was recently diagnosed with osteoporosis but I’m so fortunate to have a job where I could start a campaign to help raise awareness and get early diagnosis. Of course burnout is real in journalism as in medicine, police work, teaching and other professions and it’s right pay hasn’t kept pace but it’s easy to forget what an amazing job journalism can be. We can make a real difference to people’s lives.

I'm at the 35-year-mark and have seen a lot of change in the business, especially with Technology. When you get to be a dinosaur, just think how much fun it is, you can entertain your young coworkers with all your adventures. My advice is stick it out, especially if you have a great path working for you.

Being a journalist involves a lot of work whether you have a desk job or a field one. There is a constant mental stimulus. There is pressure of time, being creative and giving new ideas to do the same thing everyday and to keep the trust intact. If burnout is setting in, then one should take an upskilling break. Think about applying for fellowships meant for professional journalists with experience. They really help you with perspective, you learn the latest skills for better growth and also serve as a break.

One thing I have found helpful is as a journalist establish boundaries between work and personal life to prevent burnout from recurring. Prioritize tasks, delegate when possible, and learn to say no when necessary.