Ep 18: How Millenials Became the Burnout Generation with Anne Helen Petersen

Are you a millennial struggling with burnout? Do you dream of finding a way to balance your work and rest? Anne Helen Petersen gives us the historical context that set millennials up to be the “burnout generation” and tells us what we can do about it. 

Anne Helen Petersen, is a writer, researcher, and burnout expert with a PhD in Media Studies from the University of Texas. Anne is the author of four remarkable books, including "Can't Even: How Millennials Became the Burnout Generation" and "Out of the Office."  

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Discover the societal and personal factors that lead to burnout and how to address them.

• Uncover the influence of Boomers and the Greatest Generation on today's work and responsibility norms.

• Embrace the "good enough" mentality, recognizing the value of your efforts, even if they're not perfect.

• Learn the significance of rest and non-linear growth as essential tools to combat burnout.

The key moments in this episode are:

00:00:05 - Lowering the Bar and Good Enough

00:01:13 - Introduction to the Burnout Generation

00:02:09 - Anne's Journey to Writing about Burnout

00:08:08 - The Role of Boomers in Millennial Precarity

00:12:57 - The Effects of Micromanaged Childhoods on Millennial Burnout

00:13:31 - High Expectations and Lowering the Bar

00:14:59 - Ambition Trap

00:25:50 - Surrendering Control

00:27:03 - The Perennial Flower Metaphor

00:29:51 - Gratitude and Restoration

The resources mentioned in this episode are:

• Read Anne Helen Petersen's book, Can't Even: How Millennials Became the Burnout Generation, for more insights and strategies for addressing burnout.

Quotes: 

“If you can't put it on LinkedIn, somehow, it's not an achievement.” - Anne Helen Petersen

“How can we lower the bar for everyone?” - Anne Helen Petersen

“Lowering the bar is giving yourself permission to be who you are in that moment.” - Anne Helen Petersen

Connect with Anne Helen Petersen 

Instagram: @annehelenpetersen 

Newsletter: Culture Study 

Connect with Amina AlTai

Website: aminaaltai.com

Instagram: @aminaaltai

TikTok: @theaminaaltai

Linkedin: linkedin/in/aminaaltai