Editorial: This article is an opinion piece based on my personal experiences and observations. It is intended to encourage discussion and share one worker’s perspective.
Lately, I’ve been noticing something.
Not just in myself.
In my coworkers.
In friends and family.
In conversations online.
People seem exhausted.
Not the kind of tiredness that disappears after a good night’s sleep.
Not the kind of fatigue that a long weekend fixes.
I’m talking about a deeper kind of exhaustion—the kind that follows you everywhere.
The more I think about it, the more I wonder if many workers aren’t simply experiencing burnout anymore.
Maybe we’re living in a constant state of it.
Work Feels Different Than It Used To
I’ve been working since I was a teenager, and I can honestly say that work feels different today than it did when I first entered the workforce.
I’m not sure it’s necessarily harder.
It just feels heavier.
Because it’s no longer just about doing the job.
It’s everything surrounding the job.
The uncertainty.
The rising cost of living.
The fear of losing hours.
The fear of layoffs.
The fear that technology—or artificial intelligence—may change your role.
The worry that you’re always one unexpected event away from starting over.
Those concerns don’t disappear when the workday ends.
They come home with you.
When “Efficiency” Feels Like Fewer Opportunities
Right now, I work a seasonal job.
Over the past few years, my coworkers and I have watched our seasons become shorter. We’ve watched our income become less predictable.
At the same time, we’re constantly hearing about how technology is making businesses more efficient.
Maybe that’s true.
But from where many workers are sitting, efficiency can also mean fewer opportunities, fewer hours, and fewer people doing more work.
Whether those changes are necessary or not, they create uncertainty.
And uncertainty has a way of following you long after you’ve clocked out.
When Burnout Stops Being Temporary
Years ago, burnout seemed like something people recovered from.
You worked too many hours.
You took some time off.
You rested.
Eventually, you came back feeling refreshed.
But what happens when the sources of stress never really go away?
What happens when layoffs become more common?
When groceries keep getting more expensive?
When housing costs continue rising?
When healthcare becomes harder to afford?
When every news cycle brings another reason to worry about the future?
At some point, it stops feeling like temporary burnout.
It starts feeling like the background noise of everyday life.
The Questions That Never Leave
For many workers, the questions never completely disappear.
Will my hours get cut?
Will my position still exist next year?
Will AI replace part of what I do?
Will I ever be able to retire?
Will things ever feel stable again?
Those aren’t questions you answer once.
They’re questions that linger.
They follow you while you’re eating dinner.
While you’re trying to relax.
While you’re lying awake at night.
That’s one reason I think this kind of exhaustion is so difficult to recognize.
Looking Fine on the Outside
Most people keep going.
They show up to work.
They pay their bills.
They take care of their families.
From the outside, everything appears normal.
But internally, many people are running on fumes.
I’ve had days where I’ve felt exactly that way.
Not because I’m afraid of hard work.
I’ve worked for most of my life.
It’s because carrying uncertainty year after year is exhausting.
We’ve Started Treating Burnout as Normal
One thing I’ve noticed is how casually we talk about being overwhelmed.
People joke about being stressed.
People joke about never having enough energy.
People laugh about running on caffeine and getting by on too little sleep.
Humor helps people cope.
But sometimes I wonder if those jokes hide something deeper.
Maybe people don’t want to admit how overwhelmed they really feel.
Maybe they don’t want to sound negative.
Maybe they think everyone else has life figured out.
Personally, I don’t think most people have it figured out.
I think many of us are simply doing the best we can.
Why I’m Talking About This
That’s one reason I started The Exploited Worker 138.
Not because I have easy answers.
I don’t.
But because I know I’m not the only worker carrying these thoughts around.
I know there are people trying to adapt to changing technology.
Trying to rebuild after setbacks.
Trying to make sense of an economy that often feels uncertain.
And maybe the first step is simply being honest about it.
Constant stress shouldn’t become something we simply accept.
Feeling exhausted all the time shouldn’t be a badge of honor.
And struggling doesn’t mean you’ve failed.
Sometimes it means you’ve been carrying more than anyone should have to carry for far too long.
Final Thoughts
I wish I had a simple solution.
I don’t.
But I do believe that talking about these experiences matters.
Sometimes hearing someone else say, “I’m struggling too,” reminds us that we’re not facing these challenges alone.
If that’s where you are today, I hope you know you’re not alone either.
What Do You Think?
Everything in this article reflects my own experiences, observations, and opinions. They’re not the only perspective, and I don’t expect everyone to agree.
I’d genuinely like to hear yours.
When was the last time you felt truly rested?
Not distracted.
Not entertained.
Not taking a break while still worrying about work.
Actually rested.
Share your thoughts in the comments. Honest conversations are how we learn from one another.
About The Exploited Worker 138
The Exploited Worker 138 is an independent publication exploring work, layoffs, unemployment, artificial intelligence, the economy, and what it means to rebuild in a changing world. Through personal stories, research, and honest discussion, the goal is to create a place where workers can learn from one another and have conversations that often go unheard.