Suggestions for burn out / disinterest

[Mayor of Simpleton]

Ian

I suffered from burnout a couple of years ago. I didn't see it coming and was off work (and life) for about 3 months. It was 6 months before I felt back to normal. Everything seemed so difficult at the time; even getting dressed and taking my son to school required ridiculous effort. I did wonder if I would ever be able to go back to work.

It's good that you recognise where you are I would suggest to take things slowly. Get outside, take some walks and find time just to be. I discovered mindfulness which has really helped me.

With the brewing, don't bother with it until you feel you really want to brew something.

It does get better, you need to give your brain some time out.

 

[thesteve]

This forum apart, I would stay away from as much social media as possible. It can be so negative at times and does the brain no good at all. And as somebody has already said, try to stay away from alcohol as much as possible. Brewing is fine in theory but then unfortunately it means you have a stack of alcohol lying around waiting to be drank. Stick the radio on and get immersed in doing something to take you away from it all for a couple of hours. If you play golf try that, it gets you outside and active.

 

[Northern_Brewer]

I will drag out a couple of 30l buckets and do some 10 day wine.

First thing I would do is cut down the volumes - there's nothing magic about 30 litres, and doing smaller batches allows more variety. Which makes the drinking more interesting, and hopefully that makes the brewing more interesting.

Think about "brewing" with a purpose - for a competition, for an event as has been mentioned, or do a split batch to test different yeasts, or whatever.

More generally - I really suffer in November, when the days are short and getting shorter. But even at this time of year I'm starting to feel it, and I start eating more as though a hibernation instinct is kicking in. One thing that helps is just making sure you get outside morning and evening, with at least 8 hours between them. It helps convince your light-sensing mechanisms that it's not the depths of winter - although your eyes adapt and it seems that the light outdoors isn't much brighter than indoors, it really is much more intense, and you need that outdoor light to set your body clock.

 

[Andrew Booth]

Shame your not near where I am I’ve been through the whole burnout/depression scenario a few years ago brewing was what got me out of it funnily enough it taught me that I could concentrate for a few hours at a time also I invested in a bike at the time and went out for hours at a time around places in West Yorkshire doing 90 miles at a time. I’ve never been one for keeping fit but what the doc said at the time rings true even today form of exercise is good for the heart and mind.

seriously though I wouldn’t wish those kind of days on anyone it was the lowest part of my Adult life. Happy to say I’m much better these days apart from dithering what to brew when I occasionally get time off work

 

[The-Engineer-That-Brews]

One thing that strikes me reading this thread is how willing people are to say they have felt seriously down at times - hats off for coming out and saying so, really.
I really like that saying “it’s OK to feel not OK…”.
As Churchill said: when you’re going through Hell, keep going.

 

[Covrich]

What is your existing setup? could be a case of let us do something different to mix it up a bit.

Life and the world is a bit **** at the minute. Whilst not wishing to be ignorant to what is going on, not reading /listening to the news and living the day as it comes cane be helpful. Getting out doors and wilst you scoffed at the idea of exercise it can really help your state of mind, doesn't have to be an ironman, just a walk or go in the woods or countryside for a ramble.

What are you feelings on your home brews? I think it is something we are our own worst critiques on. Which never helps

 

[thesteve]

How you getting on now Ian, are things any better for you?

 

[Awfers]

I am going through this exact thing right now... Lost my job 9 months ago due to Covid hitting sales of the company I worked for, personal debt has increased, been on only 2 job interviews in 9 months. So it's easy to get depressed / drink too much cheap lager.

A friend invited me up to his place in Germany, I took a few brewing books with me including Brew Like A Monk. The break from the daily routine / seeing something completely different has helped immensely. I'm almost finished with the book, and the joy of brewing is coming back.

So, if the OP can somehow change his air, go somewhere for even only a week, then that might help deal with more than just the lack of desire for brewing.

 

[Clint]

Just seen this thread....its been a hard year for me in some respects.
I'm still working,thankful of it even though I moan about it ,but it's normality. Wife and kids are fine so that's a happy place.
The thing is I think too much about things in general and a lot about "what if...". The current climate compounded all that nonsense going round in my head.
Taking some "me,time " has changed my perspective. This has been getting back into fishing...staying out all night (family life permitting)generally focusing my mind on the fishing session and what I need to do...but not worrying if if doesn't go to plan...I never have,fishing is not all about catching fish!
Also I agree...get off social media,or seriously choose carefully what you look at...including the so called news channels...
I also try to keep upbeat, have a laugh and try to fit in something I like doing every day...catch up with the Brew Forum,read my brew books,plan a brew day,fettle my fishing tackle,cook some nice food!
I've wasted days over the last 18 months doing absolutely nothing....not any more!
I repeat my mantra...IT'S NOT A REHEARSAL!

 

[An Ankoù]

Nicely said, clint. We're bombarded with information and so called news every minute of the day and little of it is good news. These beer forums are the only social media I subscribe to and I only read the Guardian for news-I like the international side of the G, and the ability to switch to the Australian or international edition. I keep an eye on the Globe and Mail, the Age and the Sydney Morning Herald for a complete contrast to UK politics-just as daft, just as shady, but quite different. I scan the Express occasionally, it's hilarious. But they seem to get the news first and if there's something new happening it's generally flagged up there first.
How true it is that "good news doesn't sell papers". There's rarely anything to bring joy. No wonder we're becoming more and more cynical and apathetic than we were in, say, the 70s.
At least we've got beer.
And wild unconstrained sex.
And mushy peas with chips.


Edit:
Oh, and Boris, to stop us taking anything too seriously.

 

[The-Engineer-That-Brews]

get off social media,or seriously choose carefully what you look at...including the so called news channels...

Abso-flipping-lutely.
Unplug from that constant stream of doom-laden drivel ASAP.

 

[Donegal john]

Jumping in here as well. The past few years has been hard on everyone and it is easy to get bogged down with what would normally be minor issues in normal times.
I feel the op was aiming at the fact he had no motivation to brew not that he was feeling depressed etc but it’s a sign of the times where everything we read or hear is doom laden and this has a negative impact on everyday life.
During lockdown I was furloughed for 6 months and it was the best 6 months of my life. I brewed when I wanted to and spent everyday with my wife and kids. Something I was never able to do when working.
Now back at work I gave up my foreman’s roll and went back to being a spark with no pressure and I’ve not regretted it one bit. Life is as easy or as hard as you want it to be and there are positives everywhere no matter what the situation.
My house like many in Donegal has mica infected blocks and is literally crumbling and will fall down eventually. (Google mica action group) however if I was to dwell on it I would never get out of bed in the mornings. It will get sorted. And everyday we wake up is a good day.

 

[The-Engineer-That-Brews]

Jumping in here as well. The past few years has been hard on everyone and it is easy to get bogged down with what would normally be minor issues in normal times.
I feel the op was aiming at the fact he had no motivation to brew not that he was feeling depressed etc but it’s a sign of the times where everything we read or hear is doom laden and this has a negative impact on everyday life.
During lockdown I was furloughed for 6 months and it was the best 6 months of my life. I brewed when I wanted to and spent everyday with my wife and kids. Something I was never able to do when working.
Now back at work I gave up my foreman’s roll and went back to being a spark with no pressure and I’ve not regretted it one bit. Life is as easy or as hard as you want it to be and there are positives everywhere no matter what the situation.
My house like many in Donegal has mica infected blocks and is literally crumbling and will fall down eventually. (Google mica action group) however if I was to dwell on it I would never get out of bed in the mornings. It will get sorted. And everyday we wake up is a good day.

well said

 

[Chippy_Tea]

Google mica action group

To save members searching -

I hope you get sorted @Donegal john

 

[Gerryjo]

To save members searching -

I hope you get sorted @Donegal john

Didn't know MickeyD was heading this up.....

 

[Donegal john]

Didn't know MickeyD was heading this up.....

He embedded himself in to it. Not a lot of people want him to represent them. Paddy diver is the voice of the people he took direct action leading to the marches in Dublin and the current media attention. Doherty is doing it for status many feel.

 

[Donegal john]

 

[Gerryjo]

He embedded himself in to it. Not a lot of people want him to represent them. Paddy diver is the voice of the people he took direct action leading to the marches in Dublin and the current media attention. Doherty is doing it for status many feel.

Is that Paddy that owns the building supplies in muff?

 

[Donegal john]

Is that Paddy that owns the building supplies in muff?

No he is a Culdaff man. Possibly related as most in Donegal are lol.

 

[Gerryjo]

No he is a Culdaff man. Possibly related as most in Donegal are lol.

Most likely is...