In today’s fast-paced world, burnout has become a common and dangerous reality for many people. From over-demanding jobs to the expectations of a hyper-connected digital world, stress and exhaustion seem to be everywhere. As people try to juggle work, family, social media, and personal ambitions, the relentless demands often lead to one question: How did life become this overwhelming?
It’s tempting to blame technology or society’s obsession with productivity for this growing sense of burnout. While these external factors play a role, Søren Kierkegaard, the Danish philosopher known as the father of existentialism, would argue that burnout is much more than just an external issue. It’s a crisis of the self—an identity crisis that stems from losing sight of who we are and what we truly value in the face of constant demands.
Kierkegaard’s philosophy provides a surprisingly relevant antidote to the modern burnout epidemic. His ideas on selfhood, choice, and authenticity can offer us a path to reclaiming our sense of self in a world that often feels overwhelming.
The Self vs. The World’s Demands
Kierkegaard’s central question in much of his work was about the nature of the self. He believed that each of us has the potential to become a true self, but that many people live their lives disconnected from their own identity, lost in the demands and expectations of others. This disconnection is at the root of existential despair, which he described in The Sickness Unto Death as the “sickness unto death”—a state of despair that comes from failing to live authentically.
In Kierkegaard’s view, this disconnection from the self often happens because we become overly focused on the external world. We define ourselves by our job titles, our achievements, or what others think of us, instead of by our own internal values and beliefs. This focus on external validation and success leads to what he called “inauthentic living”—a life lived for others, not for oneself.
In today’s world, this concept is eerily familiar. The pressure to succeed, to be constantly productive, and to keep up with societal expectations can pull us away from our true selves. We become trapped in a cycle of doing rather than being, always moving from one task to the next without pausing to reflect on whether these tasks align with our personal values. Over time, this disconnect between our actions and our inner self leads to burnout—a deep exhaustion that stems not just from physical fatigue, but from the emotional and spiritual toll of living inauthentically.
Choosing Yourself
One of Kierkegaard’s most powerful ideas is the concept of “choosing oneself.” This means more than just making choices in the everyday sense; it refers to the deeper existential task of deciding who you are and who you want to be. For Kierkegaard, this is an ongoing process—an active and conscious commitment to living authentically, based on your own values, beliefs, and purpose.
Choosing oneself requires us to step back from the constant demands of the world and ask fundamental questions: Who am I? What do I truly value? What kind of life do I want to lead?
In the context of modern burnout, this concept is particularly relevant. Burnout often happens when we lose sight of these questions. We get caught up in what others expect of us—whether it’s meeting deadlines, climbing the career ladder, or maintaining an image on social media—and we forget to ask whether these things are truly meaningful to us.
Choosing oneself means taking responsibility for our lives, rather than letting external pressures dictate our path. It involves making intentional choices about how we spend our time, energy, and attention. When we choose ourselves, we prioritise what truly matters to us, rather than what the world demands of us.
Combating Burnout Through Authentic Living
The idea of choosing oneself offers a powerful antidote to burnout. By focusing on our authentic values and desires, we can begin to make choices that align with our true selves, rather than constantly responding to external demands.
Here are a few ways Kierkegaard’s philosophy can help us reclaim ourselves and combat burnout in today’s world:
1. Reevaluate Your Priorities
One of the first steps in addressing burnout is to take a step back and reflect on your priorities. Ask yourself: What truly matters to me? What do I value most in life? Are the things I’m spending my time and energy on aligned with those values?
Often, burnout happens because we’ve lost touch with our own priorities and are instead chasing goals that don’t truly resonate with us. By reevaluating your priorities and making choices that align with your authentic self, you can begin to reclaim your time and energy.
2. Set Boundaries
Kierkegaard emphasised the importance of personal choice and responsibility. In the modern context, this translates to setting clear boundaries to protect your mental and emotional well-being. When you’re constantly bombarded with emails, texts, and social media notifications, it’s easy to become overwhelmed.
Choosing yourself means setting boundaries around your time and attention. This might mean turning off notifications after work hours, saying no to additional projects when you’re already stretched thin, or carving out time for activities that nourish your soul.
3. Practice Reflection
For Kierkegaard, self-awareness was key to living an authentic life. He believed that regular reflection on our thoughts, emotions, and actions is essential for staying connected to our true selves.
In today’s busy world, we rarely take time to pause and reflect. Incorporating reflective practices into your routine—whether through journaling, meditation, or simply setting aside time for quiet contemplation—can help you stay grounded and connected to your authentic self. It allows you to check in with yourself, identify what’s working and what’s not, and make necessary adjustments before burnout sets in.
4. Embrace the Power of Choice
Kierkegaard reminds us that we always have a choice, even when life feels overwhelming. Choosing oneself is about recognising that you have agency over your own life and that you can make intentional decisions that align with your values.
This doesn’t mean that external demands will disappear, but it does mean that you can choose how you respond to them. Rather than being swept along by the demands of the world, you can choose to prioritise what matters most to you and let go of what doesn’t.
5. Cultivate Meaningful Connections
One cause of burnout in modern life is the sense of isolation that often comes from being constantly connected but rarely truly engaged. Kierkegaard valued authentic relationships as part of living an authentic life.
Take time to nurture meaningful connections with others—whether it’s spending quality time with loved ones, seeking out mentors who share your values, or engaging in communities that support your personal growth. Authentic connections help you stay grounded and remind you that you’re not alone in the challenges you face.
6. Pursue What Brings You Joy
Finally, Kierkegaard believed that joy comes from living authentically and pursuing what truly matters to us. In the face of burnout, it’s easy to lose sight of what brings us joy. Take time to reconnect with the activities, hobbies, and passions that light you up and bring meaning to your life.
In a world of constant demands, burnout has become an all-too-common experience. But Kierkegaard’s philosophy offers a way forward. By choosing ourselves—by living authentically and aligning our lives with our true values—we can reclaim our sense of self and combat the burnout that comes from living inauthentically.
Rather than succumbing to the demands of the world, we can choose to live with purpose, intention, and meaning. Kierkegaard’s insights remind us that, no matter how overwhelming life may seem, we always have the power to choose ourselves. And in doing so, we can find the strength to overcome burnout and rediscover joy in the everyday.