The Burnout Generation

By: Anne Helen Petersen

Narrated by: Anne Helen Petersen

About This Audible Original

In January 2019, culture writer Anne Helen Petersen set the Internet on fire with her viral BuzzFeed essay diagnosing "millennial burnout"—a chronic state of stress and exhaustion that’s become a "base temperature" for young people today. Now, she continues this generation-defining conversation in a brand-new format, interviewing millennials around the country about their own deeply personal experiences with burnout and the culture that creates it. Listeners will hear about how this issue has affected Petersen’s own life as well as the lives of five very different subjects: Kevin, a musician and Marine veteran; Kate, a first-generation college graduate working to repay her formidable student debt; Haley and Evette, young writers at different career stages in the digital media industry; and John, a pastor and co-founder of a new Baptist church in North Carolina.

The conversations that comprise The Burnout Generation cover everything from debt to social media to the blurred boundaries between our professional and personal lives. In this illuminating and intimate audio project, listeners learn how and why this generation has been conditioned to "optimize" every aspect of our lives (Meal prep for the week! Find a side hustle! But practice self-care! And answer emails in bed!), and most importantly, how the consequences of this phenomenon play out in day-to-day life.

©2019 Anne Helen Petersen (P)2019 Audible Originals, LLC.

The whiner generation

As useful as I had hoped this would be I was disappointed. The premise of the book is that millennials are experiencing burnout at an unprecedented rate, that the older generation does not understand, and that they face unique pressures. While I was open to their plight what I heard was in fact your basic whine. One interviewee went on the talk about how being a minority she was told that she had to be better than her peers in order to stand out (is this news?). She ultimately found herself successfully at the helm of a powerful women's magazine. Here comes the but... but she is burned out by the pressures. The market place is highly competitive. Your advanced college degree is no guarantee of finding rewarding work. Student debt is exorbitant. etc etc. Of course they are pleading to a generation that remembers rampant black lung suffered by tens of thousands of coalminers, a generation that systematically and effectively excluded blacks, Asians, women and other minorities from the workplace and hid prestigious positions behind virtual steel vaults. A generation not unlike the numerous preceding generations, unsympathetic to gender confusion issues. A generation without wheelchair ramps, no smoking zones and plentiful handicap access. Talk about burnout! I was unmoved.

Burnout hits all generations.

although I'm not a millennial, this book was still very relevant. The more we learn and talk about this real issue, then perhaps the more influence we can have on a culture change.

Burnout

Good insight. Take time to look at your schedule, reduce stress. Get a therapist. good.

very important information

When I listened to the interviews and commentary it rang true for all three of my daughters. They are all in very different occupations, all at the top of their game, and all working far too hard. Their schedules allow for almost no time for themselves. The point about the necessity for therapy is a great help. Thank you.

Not Just For Millennials

I really enjoyed this short listen. I am a Gen Xer and truly believe life is harder than it has ever been. I realize people have worked hard all their life, but it was hard-work with great accomplishments and now it is hard-work. That being said I gave this Audible Original a chance. So glad I took that chance.

I am glad for several reasons. (1) learned new lingo and ways this up and coming generation is finding work. (2) I discovered universities may not be keeping up with the times and giving millennials the tools to survive in this new world. (3) I have a greater understanding of burnout and why it exists.

I have been in the industry for some time and have lately discovered myself being a bit spacey and a lot more tired. I have passed this off on being a parent or what not. Talking with friends I find they are in the same boat as I am and it all boils down to burnout. The truth is we are all being asked to do more with less in our everyday lives.

Pretty interesting listen.

A baby boomers take on the book!

What an interesting book! And the interesting thing is that as a 61 year old I can not only understand the struggles the Millennials go through, but can relate to them. We just never identified and thought about the causes of burnout. Having said that, it is now easier for me to identify and understand the pressures, loneliness, and level of intensity the Millenials around me seem to be experiencing. This book has made me more aware of not only their struggles but their willingness to become part of the solution.

really related in a lot of ways

I recommend this book, it really makes you feel like all those times you come home from work to just stare at the laundry & think... when will it end... maybe it isn't a carousel of continuous repetition... maybe there are small changes you can make like admitting you may be burnt out that can help improve your quality of life. Just my two cents. I don't completely agree with everything, but it gave me a sense of possibility & a knowing that no matter how circular your life becomes, you are in control of more than just the circumference!

Very easy to relate to.

I've experienced a lot of the emotions and feelings of burnout that were talked about in this book. It makes me feel so much better that I'm not going crazy and I'm not the only one experiencing these things. It's a great book and I think people from all generations should read it so they know how life is through our eyes.

Relatable

I found myself thinking wow that’s me with so much of this. I never realized that this numb feeling is actually burnout… food for thought.

Great summary

Good summary about nowadays burn out situation, examples of real life and how people is dealing with.