By Lauren Pinheiro, Photography Editor
In a society plagued by competition, economic greed and an unhealthy work culture, burnout is inevitable for many. Published in 2022, “The End of Burnout,” a book by Jonathan Malesic, introduces a new perspective regarding the spectrum of burnout, a term that scholars are constantly redefining and reinterpreting. Its 230 pages deeply analyze scientific and historical research on burnout, framed through the author’s personal experience as a burnt-out theology professor.
Malesic concludes that burnout isn’t mere workspace stress but a deep-rooted cultural emergency stemming from over-dignifying our careers. According to a 2022 Yahoo Finance finding, about 45% of Americans wouldn’t wish their job on their worst enemy. Furthermore, Malesic argues that Americans are largely unfulfilled in their careers, as societal pressures compel them to exhaust their passion for work in pursuit of materialism and higher salaries.
Changing the way humanity views the purpose of work is nearly impossible. Burnout has long existed, even if awareness of it has grown. An issue so deeply rooted in human nature cannot simply be avoided in the idealistic society Malesic envisions.
With that said, the main takeaway from the text is that the many aspects of burnout show there is no single solution for this inherently human experience. Rather, it is a collective and societal problem that should not be dealt with alone. However, the author could have conveyed his message about the need for society to collectively reverse toxic work culture to combat burnout in fewer pages.
Despite its advanced language, the book offers insight into how people can reflect on their relationship with work and productivity. While high schoolers may not yet face the demands of a full-time career, many still experience academic pressure and the stress of their unpredictable futures. Malesic’s work emphasizes how burnout is a personal experience meant to be shared in order to find support. By recognizing this early, students can develop healthier mindsets to avoid burnout before entering the workforce.
Lauren Pinheiro can be reached at [email protected].
