I am just so burned out.

I am so burned out. God, am I burned out. I know what you’re thinking. We’re all burned out, stop crying about it. But it’s consuming every part of my life. I barely see my friends anymore. What little family I have hardly wants to be around me because I’m always in such a pissy mood. I used to have hobbies, but it’s a chore to even get out of bed each day.

I used to find a lot of joy in my work. It wasn’t more than a couple years ago that I had my sights set on promotions and professional accolades. But once I got a taste of some of that, I just lost my fire for it. It didn’t fill a void in my life like society had led me to believe, it just… made me tired.

It might even be beyond burned out at this point. Maybe checked out better explains it. For one thing, I’ve been phoning in all my paperwork. I mean the amount of missing detail will be astonishing to my supervisors here before too long. But I’ve put enough wood in the stove at this place over the past couple years that no one really checks my work. They probably should.

I’ve also had a few tools go missing recently. They were checked out to me, and I honestly don’t remember what I did with them. It’s possible I just left them with the customer, so they’ll probably bring them back once they realize it.

Don’t even get me started on how tired I am at work. I literally have fallen asleep in the middle of working. Most of the time, I manage to snap my eyes open before my coworkers notice, but I’ve noticed some strange stares from them lately. Whenever I get a chance, I’ll slip away to my office and pass out at my desk.

Some of you might judge me for this, but I’ve been experimenting a bit with some ways to stay awake. No, it’s not ideal for my health, but it at least allows me to get a few things done at work, albeit half-assed. Of course, one downside is that I have to take something different later to help me fall asleep. I think I just haven’t found the right combination yet.

It has gotten worse lately, though. Yesterday, I mixed one of my longtime customer’s products with another customer’s. I realized it not long after, but luckily, they haven’t noticed it yet. But they will eventually.

I just have to find the right combination. I think I’m almost there.

A beeping noise startles me awake at my desk.

The intercom is way too loud.

“Doctor Kerry, you’re needed in surgery. Doctor Kerry, please report to surgery immediately.”

I sigh as I slowly get out of my chair. They’re calling for me. I guess I better get back to work.

I’m just so damn burned out.