What do you do if your passion for linguistics is causing burnout and hindering your personal life?

I think doing an audit of yourself regularly is important. Work is very important, but it is good to check if everything such as your mental, spiritual and physical health plus your emotional, financial and general well-being, your close relationships etc are all in sync and balanced. Too much emphasis on one to the detriment of the others will leave one feeling low. So it’s always good to check in on yourself, taking time to pause and reflect on your personal feelings, thoughts, and physical sensations. Self-care involves tuning into your inner world to understand how you're doing, journaling daily and writing down what you’re grateful for also help.

Identifying the cause of burnout is crucial: is it due to actual workload or 'phantom workload'? Irrespective of the type, proactive measures are imperative. As the primary steward of one's well-being and the most informed about one's situation, it's crucial to take appropriate steps. Whether this involves soliciting support from an organisation in cases of workload-related stress or tackling the covert pressures of phantom workload, active management of these issues is essential. Recognising the problem and pursuing relevant solutions is paramount for maintaining health and well-being. It is important to remember that you are best placed to identify and enact the most suitable strategies for your particular circumstances.

It can be easy for the lines to be blurred between work and personal life, especially when linguistics requires revisions, brain power and attention to detail. While some work requires bouts of high concentration, it is also possible to learn languages in less intensive ways. For example, immersion and games can increase exposure to vocabulary/grammar rules in an everyday setting. On an everyday basis, this could include listening to podcasts, films/shows or short video clips in the target language. Where feasible, this could include trips abroad and socialising with natives.

An outlet is always important in terms of being able to unwind at the end of the day or weekends. Even if it’s necessary to work on weekends it’s still good to have “me” or “us” time. Otherwise we end up with the sensation of “wash, rinse and repeat”, which even if it doesn’t lead to burn out can result in boredom, loss of direction or feeling stuck. A sport is a great solution, but even if that’s not a possibility because of time or if the person is not the sporty type a simple walk in the country, local park or along the beach/riverbank if you live nearby can do wonders physically or mentally. However, it is important to “be present” and enjoy the moment, not ruminating over work. You can escape anywhere, but you have to feel it!!

Research studies and personal experiences have shown diversifying interests can be effective. - Music can help you process languages better by deciphering and remembering sounds/patterns. - Puzzles or STEM activities can help you analyse and make sense of rules. - Astronomy or computer games can help you observe and detect patterns. Of course, many of these activities can be experienced in the target language! For example, watching TV with dubbing/subtitles or reading articles on your hobbies to pick up new vocabulary and grammatical structures.

A good tip that I heard from a psychologist is to think of two things we are grateful for and two things we are looking forward to when we start the day. Also at the end it’s important to practise self-care, both journaling about the events of the day, thoughts, feelings, reflections and gratitude journaling (maybe two or three things we are grateful for at the end). A regular sleeping pattern, with the mobile phone outside the bedroom and maybe a good book to set you up for a restful night’s sleep! Meditating or progressive muscle relaxation (my go to) are also a great way to start, finish the day or even use during it. Simple ten to fifteen minute exercises to relax mind and body. Can both boost energy or help wind down!

If investigation reveals your burnout stems from phantom workload or a toxic workplace, assess how your concerns are handled. If the response is inadequate or you feel unsafe, consider leaving. Stressors can be external or internal, but your reaction is personal. Prioritising your mental and emotional well-being is crucial. In environments that don’t support this, seeking alternatives is sensible. Your health and safety are paramount, and a supportive, respectful work environment is essential for your overall well-being.