Why We Burn Out: What We Learned from Building a Burnout Check-In Tool

On the weekend of May 11, Seattle hosted an art book fair that attracted many art lovers, myself included. As I wandered from stall to stall, one book stopped me in my tracks. It was a comic titled Never Want to Work Again, created by an artist exploring how people’s relationships with work have changed since the pandemic. I eagerly told the vendor I wanted to buy it, only to find out it had completely sold out due to overwhelming popularity. The vendor, who had flown in from New Orleans, said the book was not as popular back home. Apparently, people in Seattle are especially overworked and strongly resonate with the idea of never working again.

Last week, we launched the initial version of our burnout test on Ariseed.com. It received a click-through rate of over 11 percent, which is more than double the benchmark for strong interest. Creating, sharing, and collecting feedback on the test has taught us so much. I would love to share those insights with you here.

The Four Root Causes of Burnout

While working to build a software product that can help people recover from burnout and chronic stress, we took a design approach grounded in testing and iteration. From that process, we identified four categories of burnout causes that are mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive, often referred to as MECE in consulting.

1. Overwork

Overwork can happen by choice. Sometimes there are simply too many tasks, and you want to do each one well. In doing so, you may neglect essential breaks, meals, and rest. Or, overwork can be imposed by your environment. Cultural expectations at work, an overwhelming workload, or a lack of authority or confidence to push back can all contribute. In summary, overwork is the combination of high workload, lack of control and lack of job security.

2. Circumstances

These are difficult to change and are sometimes called "gravity problems." For example, if you work in sales but dislike client interaction, that will be a tough mismatch since client-facing work is a core part of the job. Or, if you are on a work visa waiting for permanent residency, changing jobs may not be a realistic option given the current economic climate. Other circumstances include discrimination, bad working environment, incompetence, lack of career opportunity, lack of support from upper management.

3. Unclear Life Goals

Having a clear goal or sense of purpose increases your ability to endure discomfort. Raising a newborn is known to be one of the most exhausting tasks, yet many parents find joy in it. That joy comes not just from the presence of a baby but from the sense of purpose in nurturing a future adult they will be proud of. Without a goal, or with a misaligned one, you are more likely to experience burnout.

4. Internal Beliefs

This includes personal beliefs and subconscious rules shaped by past experiences or culture. For instance, you might feel you must always appear strong or never say no to someone older or in a higher position. These invisible scripts can clash with what professional life actually requires, increasing emotional tension and making burnout more likely.

What We Know About Stress and Burnout

If you have read Burnout by Emily and Amelia Nagoski, you may already know this. If not, here is the most important insight: stress and stressors are not the same and must be managed differently.

Stress is a physical state. It is the tension your body feels in response to a challenge. To resolve stress, you need to complete the biological stress cycle. This means moving your body, laughing, or feeling emotionally safe around others. These actions signal to your brain that you are no longer in danger. While we may now fear calendar invites more than wild animals, our bodies still react the same way.

Stressors are the sources of stress. Each one requires a different solution depending on the category it falls under.

Overwork → Planful Problem Solving

This means communicating your workload and capacity early, planning realistically, and recognizing that rest, sleep, and breaks are part of doing your best work. Recovery is not separate from performance. It supports it.

Circumstances → Positive Reappraisal

This strategy helps you see the good in situations that cannot change right away. You are not ignoring reality, but finding ways to live with it while protecting your energy. Once you truly master this mindset, you will know whether a bigger life change is still necessary.

Life Goals → Reflection and Realignment

Start by understanding the value of having a goal. Then ask yourself whether you are missing a goal entirely, or pursuing one that no longer fits your current path. Goals do not need to be noble. Earning a high income, mastering a skill, or contributing to a field you love are all valid. And if you have not found your goal yet, do not worry. You may just have a lower resistance to stress for now.

Internal Beliefs → Expectation Awareness

Every person has an internal system that monitors progress against expectations. When you work hard and do not see the results you hoped for, that system flags a problem. This often creates disappointment and frustration. The issue is not always your actual progress, but the expectation itself. Many people carry unrealistic benchmarks shaped by family, peers, or society. Becoming aware of this internal monitor helps you manage it and reduce self-imposed stress.

Understanding the cause of your burnout is the first step. From there, you can choose the right way to respond. Whether your solution lies in boundaries, reflection, reframing, or inner work, taking action matters.

We are continuing to develop tools to help people recover from burnout and regain their energy. If you would like to try our burnout check-in or share your story, visit us at Ariseed.com. Your feedback helps us shape what comes next.