My First Burnout – And How Talking Helped

Finding Myself Lost in the Berlin Crowd

Okay, let me tell you, moving to Berlin was… intense. I’d always dreamed of it, you know? The art, the history, the vibe. But the reality? It’s overwhelming. I’m working as a freelance translator – mostly German to English – and it’s great for my career, but honestly, it’s been a relentless grind. I took on way too many projects, trying to prove myself, and now I’m completely drained. It’s like I’m running on fumes.

It’s not even just the work. I miss my family back home, and honestly, feeling so far away can be really tough. I’ve been struggling to keep up with everything – replying to emails, meeting deadlines, even just managing my tiny apartment. I felt this constant pressure, and it just built and built until… well, until I crashed.

The Conversation with Luke

This all led to this conversation with Luke, a guy I met at the co-working space where I’m a member. We were grabbing coffee, and he said, “Hallo Luke! Wie geht’s dir denn heute?” (Hello Luke! How are you today?). I replied, “Hallo Alice! Nicht so gut, ehrlich gesagt. Mir geht es ziemlich schlecht.” (Hello Alice! Not so good, honestly. I’m feeling pretty bad.)

He asked, “Ach, wirklich? Was ist denn los?” (Oh, really? What’s wrong?) And I blurted out, “Ich fühle mich total ausgelaugt. Ich habe so viel Arbeit und ich kann mich nicht mehr zurückziehen. Das kenne ich gut.” (I feel totally exhausted. I have so much work and I can’t withdraw anymore. I know this well.)

It was a huge relief to actually say it out loud. Luke immediately said, “Ich glaube, ich bin auch kurz vorm Burnout.” (I think I’m also on the verge of burnout). He’s right, of course. I’d been pushing myself too hard, neglecting my own needs.

“Du solltest dich wirklich etwas zurücknehmen.”

Luke then offered some really good advice, “Du solltest dich wirklich etwas zurücknehmen.” (You should really take some time for yourself). He was so perceptive. I felt like I was just spinning plates, and eventually, one would always come crashing down.

He asked, “Versuchst du, dich zu entspannen?” (Are you trying to relax?). “Ein bisschen.” (A little). I was trying to read every evening – “Ich versuche, jeden Abend ein bisschen zu lesen, um mich zu verwöhnen” (I try to read a little every evening to treat myself). But it wasn’t really helping. It felt like just another thing on my list.

The Power of Austausch

Luke suggested talking to someone, and that’s when my friend Alice came into the picture. She was listening patiently as I explained everything. She said, “Es hilft, sich auszutauschen.” (It helps to exchange ideas/experiences). It was exactly what I needed.

I told her how I’d spent the entire week working, and how I hadn’t even taken a proper shower! She laughed and said, “Du musst das ändern! Du brauchst Ruhe und Zeit für dich.” (You have to change that! You need rest and time for yourself.) It was a simple, honest thing to say, and it resonated with me.

Small Steps, Big Impact

After talking to Alice, she suggested a few things. “Hast du versucht, dich selbst etwas zu verwöhnen, zum Beispiel ein Bad zu nehmen oder etwas Schönes zu tun?” (Have you tried treating yourself, for example taking a bath or doing something nice?). I hadn’t! I was just so busy.

I started small. I took a long, hot bath with essential oils – “Ein entspannendes Bad” (A relaxing bath). I even managed to make myself a proper German meal – “Ich habe ein leckeres Schnitzel gemacht!” (I made a delicious schnitzel!).

German Phrases to Remember

Here are some useful German phrases I learned from this experience:

• Mir geht es schlecht: I’m feeling bad.
• Ich bin kurz vorm Burnout: I’m on the verge of burnout.
• Du solltest dich zurücknehmen: You should take some time for yourself.
• Es hilft, sich auszutauschen: It helps to exchange ideas/experiences.
• Ich muss das ändern!: I have to change that!

Final Thoughts

This whole experience taught me a really important lesson: taking care of myself is not selfish. It’s essential. It’s also helpful to have people you can talk to, like Luke and Alice. Even a simple conversation – “Ich bin für dich da, wenn du reden möchtest” (I’m here for you if you want to talk) – can make a huge difference. I’m still figuring things out in Berlin, but I’m learning to prioritize my wellbeing, and that’s something that will help me navigate this new chapter in my life. “Ich hoffe, es wird besser für mich.” (I hope it gets better for me). I’m going to try and keep my eyes on the prize and my mind on self-care. “Danke dir auch!” (Thank you also!).