If you've been following along with posts here, it might come as no surprise that I decided to make this book review. I must confess I didn't finish it as one would normally do. I started reading during my last period between companies and didn't get to finish it until much much later. I was lazy, out of mental energy and reading was not a priority at the time when I could barely do the basic tasks in my job. But then I remembered that this is exactly what the book talks about and emphasizes, so I had to give it one more shot. I'll try to keep the spoilers at bay as much as I can, ok?
I brought here my top 5 highlights of the book and then I'll go into why this read is worthwhile and why I recommend it.
Millennial burnout: it's not just you
One of the things I felt reading this book is that I was not alone. It's important to point out that the author bases her reflections and outputs on the social-economical landscape of the US, but I managed to trace countless parallels with my own South American reality. Petersen talks about how our generation deals with the perfect storm of crazy expectations and an uncertain world. It's no wonder we're feeling like we're on the edge of a mental meltdown!
Tech and Gig Economy: Double Trouble
Ah, technology, you two-faced friend. On one hand, it's so easy to love the convenience it gives, but on the other, it's pushing us towards burnout. The author reveals how being constantly connected blurs work-life boundaries, leaving us feeling like we never truly clock out. I know that at the height of my work-non-stop mindset, I would have many of my work apps downloaded on my own phone and got to the point of working while in a stadium watching a soccer game with my whole family, from my step-mother's phone because mine had run out of battery. Add in the gig economy's job insecurity, and it's a recipe for sleepless nights and endless stress.
Social Media FOMO: The Comparison Game
Let's be honest, Instagram, and other social media for that matter, can be a blessing and a curse. Petersen exposes how social media fuels our burnout. We become trapped in a never-ending scroll routine, comparing our lives to the perfectly filtered highlight reels of others. FOMO (fear of missing out) is real, but she talks about how it might be the time to break free from the comparison trap and reclaim our sanity.
Mental Health Matters: Let's Keep It Real
I must confess it took me a while to take that in, but our mental health is precious, and it's the one thing taking a hit from burnout. Petersen explores how anxiety, stress, and depression have become our generation's (but not only) unwanted companions. As I've previously written about here, burnout as we have been seeing now is a systemic problem and we should blame ourselves for having to deal with it. But, if and when it feels right, embrace self-care like it's our side hustle and seek support when we need it. Taking care of ourselves is not a luxury—it's a necessity.
Rise Up and Reclaim Your Life
Are you ready to flip the script on burnout? One of the things I loved most ah "Can't even" is the fact that every chapter is filled to the brim with nuggets of wisdom and life lessons to implement. The core thing I gathered is to challenge society's unrealistic expectations, redefine success on our terms, and unapologetically embrace work-life balance. We've got the power to create a future where burnout is just a distant memory. And that's all I'm after.
My humble conclusion:
Millennial burnout may be the struggle of our generation, but we refuse to let it define us. With the insights from "Can't Even", we're armed with the knowledge to conquer it. It's time to take charge, rock some self-care like it's nobody's business, and build a future where we can thrive. So, my fellow millennials, let's kick burnout to the curb and reclaim our lives with style and sass. We've got this!
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