Before reading those articles, I saw technology-mediated practice as something that could make our lives easier; tools like electronic records, email, and Zoom as instruments that simplify our communication, save time, and make things more convenient. Because I am constantly connected, I did not consider how much negative influence it has on my mental health and my emotional fatigue. However, I feel like answering messages after working hours blurs the line between my professional, personal, and family time. I started feeling guilty when I couldn’t respond promptly, even if it was after hours, and I always thought I should take time away from my family to answer work-related emails or messages. I recently realized that if I don’t draw a line, I’ll stay “on alert” all the time, and it would drain me and affect my personal life in the long run.
In Hilty et al.’s continuum, the “fatigue” stage stuck with me the most because it shows how quiet buildup can easily become complete burnout. I have also experienced when I was only physically present but mentally absent and exhausted. I can see how this led to reducing my motivation and my patience. Very recently, I decided to give myself “me time,” which does not include technology or work. I also established strict work and study hours and made sure to spend enough time with my children and my husband, which lately has been an issue.
I struggle with working from home because of the many hats I wear: a mother, a wife, a caregiver. So many times, I see myself starting a project, getting interrupted, and having to do another task. I tried working out of the basement, where there are no windows, no distractions, and I can stick to work and study times, which has worked better for me. I don’t have any issues with feeling isolated when I work from home. I like it since I don’t have to spend time in traffic. I set up a list of things I need to accomplish in my work and my school projects, and I try to stick with it as much as possible; I take small breaks in between projects so I can clear up my mind, and sometimes it’s hard to get back into the mindset of studying, reading or working but it’s an everyday struggle.
Ratcliff’s (2024) definition of burnout as a form of chronic stress that impacts emotional, mental, and physical well-being is very accurate. She includes emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment, which I can relate to because I have experienced them myself.
Angela,
If you place your image in the “set featured image” section – it’s all the way at the bottom on the right hand side underneath the other menus when you are on the post writing screen – you just click on set featured image, upload the image to the media library and then set it as your featured image. Then it will always show automatically at the top of your post and we can all enjoy it more.
You have raised some good points and i appreciate your sharing your personal examples of how technology and remote work can intrude on our personal lives. I would have liked to hear more about what you got from the articles.
Dr P