Am I broken? Has anyone else experienced this?
Hi, I feel like something isn’t right with me and I’m not sure how to fix it. For about two years now, I’ve been calling in sick at least once a week.
It started after I had a really bad experience with a manager at a previous workplace. Ever since then, work has felt overwhelming. I wake up feeling exhausted, like I haven’t slept, and when I do go in I’m constantly yawning. On the days I call in, I procrastinate and feel anxious and guilty the entire day, so I don’t understand why I keep repeating this pattern.
I know mindset plays a role, but I don’t know how to change it. I did try a different job and managed to show up every day for two weeks, but then I lost motivation again and fell back into the same cycle.
For context, I’m a 23-year-old autistic female with a mild intellectual disability. I also struggle with my diet because I can’t really afford proper food, which I know affects my energy and mental health. It feels like an endless cycle—if I don’t have the resources to take care of myself properly, I don’t know how I’m meant to improve my mindset or feel better.
I’ve been told I’m experiencing burnout, and I did try the strategies my therapist suggested, like doing things I enjoy, but it didn’t seem to help much. So I’m not sure if it’s just burnout or a mix of things.
I would talk to my therapist more about this, but her fees keep increasing and it’s becoming too expensive, especially with the cost of living where I am.
I was approved for NDIS a while ago, but I haven’t been contacted to move forward. When I followed up, they said they’re still working through applications.
I just feel stuck and unsure what to do next