Notes

**Vishal:** “Welcome back to Mind Matters. Today, we are addressing an issue that seems to be increasingly common among young adults — a sense of overwhelming exhaustion and emotional burnout at an age when life is expected to feel vibrant and full of possibilities. Traditionally, we have associated the concept of a ‘mid-life crisis’ with individuals in their forties or fifties, a period often marked by reflection and reevaluation of life choices.
However, recent conversations and messages I have received tell a different story. Many individuals in their early twenties — 22, 23, and 24 years old — are expressing sentiments such as, ‘I feel drained,’ ‘I am exhausted,’ and even, ‘I cannot continue like this.’ These statements reflect a growing concern that deserves our attention.
Why are so many young people experiencing this level of stress and disillusionment so early in life? Is it the pressure to succeed, the constant comparison fueled by social media, or the uncertainty of the future? Today, we will explore these questions in depth, understand the psychological factors behind this phenomenon, and discuss practical strategies to help young adults regain balance and purpose. Stay with us for an insightful conversation.”

Joining me today to unpack "Burnout Before 25" is Arvind. Arvind, thanks for being here. Are we just seeing a generation that’s "soft," or is something actually different now?


**Arvind:** Thanks for having me, Vishal. To answer your question bluntly: No, it’s not about being "soft." In fact, it’s the opposite. This generation is running a marathon at a sprinter’s pace before they’ve even had breakfast. We are seeing burnout in people who haven't even been in the workforce for three years. It’s a serious structural issue.


**Vishal:** Let’s define it. Because some people think burnout is just "being tired after a long Monday." What’s the difference between a bad week and true burnout?


**Arvind:** Great point. Tiredness goes away with a long Saturday nap. **Burnout doesn't.** If you’re under 25 and experiencing burnout, look for these three signs:
1. **Exhaustion that is "Deep":** You wake up tired even if you slept 8 hours. The thought of opening your laptop makes you feel physically heavy.
2. **Cynicism:** You used to be excited about your degree or your first job. Now, you’re irritable and feel like "What’s the point? It doesn't matter anyway."
3. **Efficiency Drop:** You’re staring at a simple email for 40 minutes and can’t hit "send." Your brain feels like it’s stuck in thick fog.


**Vishal:** So, why is this happening now, and why specifically around the age of 24? This is a stage of life that should ideally feel exciting and full of opportunities. Yet, so many young adults today describe feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and even burnt out. It makes me wonder — what has changed compared to previous generations? Our parents, for instance, were working long hours and managing responsibilities at this age, but they rarely spoke about feeling this level of mental fatigue or emotional exhaustion. Is it the pressure of modern expectations, the constant comparison driven by social media, or the uncertainty of navigating careers and relationships in a rapidly changing world? What factors are contributing to this early onset of stress and disillusionment among young people today?”


**Arvind:** It’s a "Perfect Storm" of three things:

* **The "Always-On" Culture:** Our parents left work at the office. For a 23-year-old today, work is in their pocket. Slack, WhatsApp, LinkedIn—there is no "off" switch.
* **The Comparison Trap:** You’re entry-level, making a modest salary. Then you open Instagram and see a "22-year-old Crypto Millionaire" or a classmate who just got a promotion at Google. You feel behind before you’ve even started.
* **Economic Pressure:** Let’s be real. Rent is higher, the job market is volatile, and the "hustle culture" tells you that if you aren't working on a side-hustle at 9 PM, you’re failing.


**Vishal:** That "side-hustle" pressure is huge. It feels like hobbies aren't allowed to be hobbies anymore. If you paint, you have to sell it on Etsy. If you hike, you have to be a travel influencer.



**Arvind:** “Absolutely, Vishal. We’ve reached a point where life feels like a constant performance. Every hobby is expected to become a side hustle, and every interest must be monetized or showcased online. This creates immense pressure, especially for those under 25, because this is a critical stage for identity formation. When self-worth becomes tied to productivity or external validation, it’s like building a house on unstable ground. True fulfillment comes from enjoying activities for their own sake, without turning them into a competition or a business. We need to reclaim the joy of doing things simply because they make us happy.”

**Vishal:** I see people on LinkedIn posting "I’m thrilled to announce..." every single day. It creates this false reality that everyone is winning except you.


**Arvind:** “Exactly, Vishal. This constant stream of achievement posts creates an illusion that everyone else is thriving, which fuels what we call High-Functioning Anxiety. On the surface, you appear successful — you’re meeting deadlines, hitting goals, and projecting confidence. But internally, there’s a persistent fear that if you slow down for even a single day, everything will collapse. This anxiety keeps people in a cycle of overworking and self-doubt, where rest feels like failure. It’s important to recognize that true success includes mental well-being, and taking breaks is not a weakness — it’s a necessity for long-term growth and stability.”


**Vishal:** Okay, Arvind. Most 24-year-olds can’t afford to just quit and go to Bali for six months. They have rent to pay. How do we fix this while staying in the real world?


**Arvind:** It starts with **Micro-Boundaries.**

1. **The 8-to-8 Rule:** No work apps before 8 AM or after 8 PM. Put your phone in another room. Your brain needs to know the "hunting" is over for the day.
2. **Redefine "Productivity":** On a scale of 1 to 10, you cannot be a 10 every day. Some days, a 4 is a win. Giving yourself permission to be "average" occasionally is a superpower.
3. **Physical Grounding:** Burnout lives in the head. You need to get into your body. Walk, lift weights, cook—anything that doesn't involve a screen.


**Vishal:**Before we conclude, I want to address something that often creates tension between generations. Many young people today feel misunderstood when they express stress or burnout, because the common response from parents or older relatives is, ‘Just work harder, you’re young, you’ll be fine.’ This advice, while well-intentioned, overlooks the reality of the modern world. The challenges faced by today’s youth are very different from those of previous generations — from the constant pressure of social media to the uncertainty of career paths and economic instability. So, what do older generations need to understand about the mental health struggles of young adults today? How can they offer support without dismissing these concerns?”


**Arvind:** Parents and managers need to realize that the *intensity* of information today is 100x what it was 30 years ago. To managers: If you send an email at 10 PM, you are telling your young employee they aren't safe to rest. Stop doing it. To parents: Stop asking "What’s next?" Enjoy "What is."



**Vishal:** This has been eye-opening, Arvind. I think the takeaway is: your 20s are for *exploration*, not just *exploitation* of your energy.


**Arvind:** Precisely. You have 40 more years of career ahead of you. Don't burn the whole candle in the first two miles of the race.



**Vishal:** Arvind, we’ve covered a lot today. We talked about why 24-year-olds are feeling like they’re 80, the trap of social media comparison, and how to actually say "no" to a boss without feeling like you’re failing. But as we wrap up, I want to get a bit deeper.



**Arvind:** I want them to hear this: **Your worth is not a business metric.** We live in a world that treats humans like batteries—we’re expected to be 100% charged all the time, and when we run low, we feel "broken." But you aren't a battery; you’re a person. If you are burning out before 25, it’s usually because you’ve been trying to live someone else’s version of a "perfect life." You’ve been running a race where the finish line keeps moving.


**Vishal:** That hits home. I think we’re all guilty of moving our own finish lines. We say, "I’ll be happy when I get this promotion," and then we get it and immediately look for the next one.


**Arvind:** Exactly. And for the young listeners out there, remember this: **You have time.** There is this massive pressure to be a "30 Under 30" success story. But life is long. Some of the most successful, happiest people I know didn't find their groove until they were 35 or 40. Your 20s are actually for making mistakes, trying things out, and learning how *not* to work yourself into the ground. If you burn out now, you’re robbing your future self of your best years.


**Vishal:** It’s like trying to win the game in the first five minutes and getting an injury that puts you on the bench for the rest of the season.


**Arvind:** Perfect analogy. So, my final piece of advice? **Lower the bar.** Just for a little while. Give yourself permission to be "okay" instead of "extraordinary." Focus on sleeping well, eating a real meal, and talking to a friend. The world will not collapse if you take your foot off the gas for a month. In fact, that’s usually when you find the clarity to see which direction you actually want to drive.


**Vishal:** I think that’s the perfect place to end. Arvind, thank you for being the voice of reason. I feel a lot lighter just hearing this, and I hope our listeners do too.


**Arvind:** Thanks for having me, Vishal. Stay safe, everyone.


Here is a simple, warm ending by Vishal to close out the podcast.



**Vishal:**

"Alright everyone, we’re at the end of the episode, but I hope this is just the beginning of you taking a bit more care of yourself.

If there’s one thing I’m taking away from my chat with Arvind today, it’s this: **You are not a machine.** You don't need to have your whole life figured out by 25. You don't need to be the CEO of a company, a social media star, and a fitness expert all at once.

If you’re feeling exhausted, it’s not because you’re weak. It’s because you’re human, and the world is asking a lot of you right now. It is okay to slow down. It is okay to turn off your phone. And it is definitely okay to put yourself first.

Take a deep breath. Look away from the screen for a minute. You’ve got a long, beautiful life ahead of you—don't feel like you have to rush through it today.

Thanks for hanging out with us. We’ll be back next week. Until then, take it easy on yourself. Bye for now!"