Is it too early in the new year to feel burned out?

I’ve been pondering this question for a few weeks now. 2025 was not only a full year personally – all good things – but it also served up a very challenging project at work. And while things have settled down somewhat, there’s a lingering feeling that something is still hanging over me.

There is no shortage of articles on burnout, and each of us has experienced it. In fact, some of us may feel we stay in that state perpetually.

But lately, I’ve been looking at it from a different perspective. I’ve held a full-time job for 45 years. That’s a lot of time on the treadmill, friends. I’ve had some great experiences for the most part, and I’ve learned so much. I have always prioritized learning something new, something different, to stay relevant and to keep myself challenged. My mantra, in essence, has been ‘what’s next?’

And I think I’ve stumbled onto something. The search for what’s next automatically means not living in the present. It means always looking for something different, something else. Another pasture where the grass may be greener.

For most of my working life, that has served me well. It has allowed me to take chances, grow, prove myself and my skills, and not fear change.

All goodness…until it isn’t? Is it possible that it’s no longer serving me? Yes. In fact, it’s very likely.

Time has a way of speeding up as we get older. There’s a fascinating article here that talks about what seems to be a universal truth. It points out that routine can compress time, making it feel like it’s flying by. It also explores mindfulness and being present in the moment, and how that affects our perception of time.

Keeping myself challenged to grow and learn is a good thing, but it has to be tempered by presence in the moment. I haven’t done a good job with that.

Perhaps it’s time to learn.