How I Realized Not All Exhaustion Comes from Hustling (and What Actually Helped)
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I used to think burnout was the only reason I felt like a dried-up sponge at the end of each week. You know the feeling—like your brain has buffering issues and even replying to a “how are you?” text feels like too much. But then something weird happened. I had less to do at work, my calendar was basically empty… and I still felt just as tired, drained, and oddly restless.
That’s when I stumbled upon the term boreout. Yep, it’s a thing. And it’s real. And honestly? It hit me like a sleepy freight train.
Burnout vs. Boreout: What’s the Difference?
Burnout is when you’re doing too much. Boreout is when you’re doing too little—or what you’re doing feels pointless. Both lead to the same outcome: your energy gets zapped, your creativity dries up, and you start daydreaming about escaping to a remote cabin or becoming a goat farmer in Vermont.
I used to think, “If I just had less work, I’d finally be happy.” But when that wish came true (yay, I guess?), I was more miserable than ever. I wasn’t stressed—I was stuck. And that’s the thing about boreout: it looks like laziness, but it feels like soul-deep emptiness.
The Day I Realized I Had Boreout
It was a Tuesday. I’d finished all my emails by 10 a.m., scrolled through Instagram for the 37th time, and even organized the apps on my phone by color. And still… nothing. No spark. No joy. Just this gnawing sense of, “Is this really it?”
I wasn’t tired because I was overworked. I was tired because I wasn’t challenged. There’s a weird kind of exhaustion that comes from pretending to be busy when you’re not, and I was drowning in it.
So, I did what any self-aware millennial does: I Googled “why am I tired and bored even though I’m not doing anything,” and boom, there it was—boreout. Like burnout’s sad, underachieving cousin.
What Helped Me Climb Out of the Boreout Pit
Now here’s the part where I give you a list of things that actually helped me feel better—and yes, I bought most of them on Amazon, because if I’m going to fix my brain, I’d like it shipped in two days or less, thank you.
1. A Desk Toy That Gave My Brain Something to Play With
This little magnetic cube is like origami meets fidget toy. When I felt my brain turning to mush, I’d grab it, and suddenly my hands were doing something, my mind was engaged, and I wasn’t spiraling into existential dread. It’s weirdly calming and stimulating at the same time.
2. A Whiteboard That Made Me Feel Like I Had Purpose
🛒 Magnetic Dry Erase Whiteboard for Fridge or Desk
Even if my to-do list was short, just writing it out gave me the illusion of control. “Email Sarah.” Check. “Drink water.” Check. It’s dumb, but seeing things get crossed off gave me tiny hits of dopamine that kept me going.
3. A Journal That Didn’t Feel Like Homework
This guided journal helped me dump my thoughts without having to figure out what to write. It’s like therapy without pants. I’d scribble in it between meetings and instantly feel more grounded.
4. A Light Therapy Lamp Because My Brain Misses the Sun
Turns out, feeling like a plant stuck in a dark office might have been part of my problem. This light therapy lamp mimics natural sunlight and honestly lifted my mood faster than any green smoothie ever has.
5. A Hobby That Made Me Forget Time Existed
I didn’t realize how much I missed using my hands for something not on a keyboard. I started embroidering small designs during lunch breaks, and the tiny sense of progress gave me the dopamine I didn’t know I was missing.
Okay, But What If It’s Burnout, Not Boreout?
Great question, inner voice. Burnout feels more like being chased by a bear made of deadlines, while boreout feels like waiting in line at the DMV of life with no end in sight.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, overcommitted, and everything feels urgent—you’re likely burnt out. If you’re feeling underwhelmed, unchallenged, and like you’re slowly dissolving into your office chair—hello, boreout.
Either way, your brain’s throwing up a red flag. And the fix isn’t just “take a vacation” (although please, do that too if you can).
So What Do You Do About It?
Here’s what I’ve learned the hard way: you can’t always change your job overnight, but you can create micro-moments of meaning and challenge.
• I started learning Spanish on Duolingo. Ten minutes a day made me feel like I was learning something that mattered to me, not just to my boss.
• I picked up new mini-goals like “take a different walking route every day” or “try one new recipe a week.” Boring? Maybe. But they gave me anchors to look forward to.
• I even asked my manager if I could take on a small side project. Not because I had to, but because I wanted to stretch my brain again.
Final Thoughts: You’re Not Lazy. You’re Just Underfed—Mentally.
Boreout isn’t about being bad at your job. It’s about needing meaning, growth, and actual mental stimulation. We’re not machines—we’re curious, restless, creative humans. And when we don’t get that itch scratched, it starts to fester.
So if you’re sitting at your desk, staring into the void between Slack pings, wondering why you’re so tired all the time—it might not be burnout. It might be boreout in disguise.
And no, you’re not crazy for feeling that way. You’re just a human who needs something to care about again.
Now go. Move. Create. Doodle. Walk. Daydream on purpose. Just… give your brain something to chew on.
Trust me, it’ll thank you.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases, but this does not affect my recommendations.I only suggest products I’ve personally vetted.
Be Inspired..!! 
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