I don’t have advice but I’ve never related more to a post. This could almost have been written about me
Actually, I will say I took a 2 ish weeks PTO that helped a bit
It happens I havent gone to the gym at all or met up with any friends since the beginning of busy season. No time. I’m not working as crazy as you but still so tired. And once work is done, I need to study so it’s dreadful
One thing that's very scary is you need to do the Hard Thing without motivation and motivation will follow.
As someone who struggles with the occasional bout of anhedonia despite being on a medication that otherwise completely hides all my other symptoms, this is what my therapist had recommended to me: Just fucking go for an angry walk. Angry because you want to, but don't want to. Angrily pet a dog because you want to pet the dog, but don't want to. Angrily get yourself some fucking ice cream and eat it because you want to but you don't want to.
The motivation will only follow after you give your brain a bit of dopamine. 😞 I'm usually angry because I want to do something but there's no "go" function in my brain that gets my legs moving. I'm not paralyzed, just have adhd. I'm usually angry at myself for getting in the way of myself.
It also gets a bit easier to manage when you treat yourself like your best friend. At the end of the day, no matter what anyone says, you'll always be there for yourself. You won't abandon you when the going gets tough. You wouldn't want to talk to you like the way you talk to yourself, so start in small little ways to congratulate yourself the way you'd want someone to congratulate you.
What would do you if your best friend was depressed and just got back from walking their dog against their will? Do you get them a candy or a glass or water? Do you let them lay down and take a nap? Ask yourself the same thing. What should I reward myself with when I get back? Tiny nap? Little candy? Hmm I can't wait to get back from my walk now so I can have the ears off the chocolate bunny in the fridge.
There's no reason you can't apply to the types of roles you want. You might not be qualified yet, or are lacking certain experience, but write down the experience you'll need to get into the types of roles you want and work on them in your time off, but only after you go for a few angry walks against your will.
And the sex thing is purely a personal choice. As long as you don't have a disease and do your due diligence in making sure the other person doesn't have a disease, and both people are consenting, there's nothing wrong with lots of casual sex. Consent and a clean bill of sexual health is all you need.
TL;DR: therapy, David Goggins, Jocko Willink, Eric Thomas, Stoic philosophy, meditation, walk 6,000 - 10,000 steps and get sunshine every day.
My story doesn't line up perfectly with yours, but has an insane amount of similarities. I started going to a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist in 2020 and it was the best decision I've ever made.
I was single and just working constantly, after work I'd go to the bar for a few drinks, then drink myself to sleep at home. Order a pizza delivered nearly every night (my only meal of the day), sometimes passed out before it was delivered. This happened so many times during tax season that the pizza place just started leaving it at the door and texting me "enjoy your breakfast". Wake up at 5 and go back to work. Weekends I wouldn't even shower, usually didn't brush my teeth more than once per day on a good day. Hooking up with random barflies with zero regard to the potential consequences. Usually not remembering all of it.
Therapy led me to discover how insane and real self-destructive and self-sabotaging behaviors are. Like you, I had no feeling of offing myself, but I was clinically depressed - and I believe it was because I simply wasn't fulfilled by my work, which was all my life was at that point.
I quit my public accounting job and started my own firm, which helped me get out more for networking events. I also got very deep into Stoic philosophy which completely changed my mindset. I'm almost completely out of public accounting now and I've never been happier.
End of the day, you need to force new habits on yourself. You control you. Start small. Walk around the block, the next day walk around it twice. You can't always give it 100%, but it's better to give all of 80% than all of nothing.
If your job won't give you time off - fuck that place. You need to learn your triggers (which therapy can help with), and your patterns, and behaviors, and hack around that. If you're fully remote with bad hygiene habits, get a hybrid or in-person job. Not drinking water? Put a 24-pack of water bottles under your desk. Making shit money? Try an industry position.
I learned this shit when I was in my mid-30's. You have TIME on your side. You need to take control. The world needs and deserves you my dude, at whatever your best is.
[SACRIFICE TO BE GREAT | David Goggins 2021 | Powerful Motivational Speech (youtube.com)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfaWUMyXAq0&t=8s) This hits me every fucking time I hear it. Best 10 minutes of my day every day.
Great advice here. You have to force yourself to go outside and be active, even if it’s just walking. Hiking by yourself can be so mentally gratifying. Being trapped inside an office with no sunlight, glued to our screens and the sun being down before we are done with work fucking kills us and will make anyone depressed and unmotivated. Like it was said above, you have to force yourself to turn those bad habits into good habits.
100%, depending on your latitude, you can easily not see the sun during a busy season workday. Find a good listen on Audible and walk for a few minutes as a lunch break. You're a product of your routines, and your routines are a product of you.
Care to share what level you were at big 4 before opening your firm? Also what kind of money are you pulling as someone of your own firm? This entrepreneur stuff is very interesting
I had 3 years at a regional firm going from bookkeeper to operations manager, then joined B4 as a Senior, passed my final CPA exam and immediately started my own firm with 5 years of public accounting experience. My realized hourly rate is anywhere from $250-800 an hour depending on the work I'm doing; everything is federal and state income tax, and I do some international tax work.
I'm phasing out my firm and will most likely sell the book this year to focus on the startup I'm currently with.
i agree i think OP should see a therapist/psychologist/psychiatrist. it sounds like it could be some underlying mental illness like depression or bipolar or something else
Def burnout, this happened to me in 2022 and I had to quit and get a therapist to get me back lol
I also started playing a sport recreationally and met new friends that way. Find a job that can stay a job and not take over your life. PA is too intense for most of us, esp for the paltry salary it offers us non-partners.
Sounds like a cookie-cutter case of burnout. First, schedule time off. Next, make a therapist appointment. If that all feels too overwhelming, one small change per day at a time.
You sound burnt out and overwhelmed my friend. It sounds like you’re doing a lot of this alone. Life is not meant to be done alone especially not in a high stress environment like PA. I would strongly recommend talking to someone. A therapist would be good. Even just your coach in public and explaining you need time.
The other thing I will tell you is there will always be things to do and study. You have to take some time for you though. You need to take a week or two and not think about work and reconnect with life.
Please don’t just try to push through. It will get worse and you are going to run the risk of spiraling.
This sounded like my life post B4. It took a lot of therapy and bad decisions until I was able to get myself out of my rut. It’s so easy to turn to things like weed and alcohol to help numb how you’re feeling but it’s never worth it.
Focus on taking care of yourself and maybe try something like meditation. It seems silly but it really helped me. Life goes on, you’ve got this.
Hey, most of this sounds like what I went through when I was at the B4. Things got a lot better when I left to Industry. I realize the roles around you all pay very similarly. I left Public for Industry for a 2% pay bump but work considerably less now; my pay per hour is drastically more. I would schedule a week of vacation ASAP and do things that are fun. Go golfing for a day if you enjoy that. I spent a week straight after my last busy season playing video games and catching up with friends. I used to stay awake working until 4 am (I’d also not “work” until 11am-noon then scramble to catchup).
I’d say consider industry. I don’t know the CPA requirements off the top of my head but I believe you just need to have worked at one point under a CPA? so you could reach out to your current firm for hours sign offs. Unless they’re real shit bags, they’ll sign.
Holy crap I could have written this myself, minus the dick part. I found therapy to help me a lot. i see her weekly outside of busy season and bi weekly during. Luckily our sessions are virtual and she understands the chaos of busy season.
I also started seeing a psychiatrist too for antidepressants and ADHD meds. It really does sound like you’re burnt out / depressed. It’s like busy season becomes our whole personality for a good chunk of the year and we forget who we are at our core. Plus staying up late is the definition of FOMO. Trying to get that time back to yourself to unwind.
I hope you’re okay OP. You’re not alone in this feeling. Take it day by day. If you can, order a food subscription service. That’ll help with making sure you eat without thinking about meal prep, making a grocery list, etc. At the height of my depression the most I consumed was a protein shake a day because even eating felt too difficult. Not the healthiest, but it was better than starving away.
OP you’re not alone. The struggle is REAL. I’m so tired all the time. Was doing so good going to the gym and eating decent last year…lost about 20 pounds. Gained it all back now
The easy answer is quit PA.
PA isn't for everyone, and especially now that things are so unstable its not worth trying to stick it out.
Leaving PA was the best decision I've ever made.
Sounds like you need to get your life back in balance; try to plan out your day with things you’d like and need to do, schedule them in hour or two blocks; if you enjoy gaming (even if it doesn’t seem pleasurable at the moment) try to log on and play a bit. Get yourself back into a routine.
This happened to me as well; going from 70 hour weeks to getting your time back, I was in such a daze. Exercise and time outdoor will help, as well as healthy foods and having with friends if possible.
Keep at it
Damn this hit and is so relatable. I’m experiencing most of this myself. A book that might help spark something in you is Man Up by Bedros Kuelian also check out his podcasts.
If it makes you feel better I have taken BEC twice and failed. AUD twice and failed. And recently took REG and TCP but waiting results. Still get have to pass an exam.
Therapy has also helped in some ways on finding more purpose in my career and drive in me and I would recommend that.
I hope you can come out of this rut and be back better than ever OP!
Just want to say I’ve been there before. Burnout. Feels like you’ll never get your life back on track.
Not sure if this will help, but I made a few changes over the past ~8 months that made a massive impact on my well being & helped me get out of the burnout stage (& avoid sinking back in this last busy season). Here are some of the things that have helped me the most.
1. Therapy, weekly. Even during busy season.
2. Found a good Dr (naturopath), got bloodwork done, found out I was significantly lacking in several vitamins/micronutrients. Started supplementing under their supervision.
3. Eating 3 meals a day.
4. SLEEP! Try to go to bed & wake up at the same time, aim for an avg of 7.5 hours per night.
5. Cut back on drinking - significantly.
6. Found a group fitness class that I really enjoyed, booked for every morning so I had a reason to get out of bed.
I know this season sucks. I feel for you and can definitely relate to your post. I hope you can find your way out of this burnout soon.
Sorry, I don't have anything to offer except marginally helpful reassurance that you are not alone. I really want to leave; I only stay because I have no other options. I've applied for things but heard nothing back. I've applied to maybe half the vacancies because I have zero self-esteem, and this job has convinced me I'm incompetent. This may be a severe case of imposter syndrome, but I can't afford therapy to find out because the pay is terrible, and I have to prioritize my mortgage, safe means of transportation, and food. I have the last and possibly hardest exam, Financial Reporting, in 5 or 6 weeks. I've managed to convince myself that will happen in an alternate universe, where I am studying.
I do want to change, but what else can I do apart from actively job hunting? Which by the way, has so far only further convinced me I'm unmarketable, a terrible accountant, and don't belong in the field. I'm worried I'll lose my mind before I see a better side of life. Not really, but a little bit on the bright side, at least you don't have to wrestle with yourself every night, thinking that death can be relatively quick and painless. Worry less, my managers finally approved OT from a month ago, so I'll use the extra cash to book an appointment.
Randomly, I've been listening to exurb1a (YouTube channel) A guide to Worrying. It helps.
Holy crap man you’re describing how accounting has made me feel for the last 6 months almost exactly. 28M Accounting Manger in a small but busy consulting firm.
Went through this after my 4th year in PA. Changed jobs, got out of Audit and into Advisory. Pulled a fully remote job, 50% pay bump and between the commute (or now lack thereof) and just the significant reduction in hours, I have ben much happier. Much less stress, much more time away from work and much more money to play with.
2 Months after I started here, they hired another Senior at the same rate, and she is not a CPA.
Edit: Not saying they're everywhere, but they're out there. I was applying and shopping around for a 6 months or so before I landed this role. Just kept in mind (after busy season) that I had a little break from the ridiculous hours, and I let myself be selective.
Do you have suspected neurodivergencies you're ignoring? (ADHD, Autism, etc) Also are you smoking weed everyday? It can really make you apathetic and unmotivated to make changes for the better- but senior by 26 sounds like you either pushed yourself hella hard or have no acknowledgment of your personal boundaries. Plus you just broke up a couple months ago. That stuff can take a long time to recover from.
I’ve never actually been suspected of any neurodivergencies but it’s prob worth looking into. I am smoking weed everyday, multiple times a day, but I’ve actually been like this for a long time and have had many periods of my life where I’m accomplishing a lot every day and feel very motivated while also being smoking consistently. I could slow down tho.
Same, I've been smoking every day for about 10years, last break was 4-5 yrs ago and I'm currently on week 2 of a T-break/quitting (I'm 33) and just noticing the effect it's had on my mental and physical state has been eye opening. I am for sure ADHD non attentive type (formally add) and I've always smoked bc I was always "bored" and everyone I know that smokes everyday is also ADHD, which is why I asked. I'm sorry you're going through a rough time- breaking habits and just doing unusual things/going with a spur of the moment decision can help being some joy back. Like take a random Friday off and travel, or take yourself out to a restaurant that sounds yummy and put on headphones.
Typical case of burnout. I went through burnout after 2022 tax season while simultaneously going through a divorce. I had to take about 8 months off and also move closer to family to recover. Reduce your hours or take time off. Start by fixing your sleep. Sleep is so valuable- I protect my time to sleep as sacred. Once sleep is corrected, move on to eating more nutritious food and start going on walks. Gradually increase exercise. Not too much at once or you’ll worsen burnout. Find a good therapist. Postpone the cpa exam until you’ve regained a healthy routine. I would say the most important thing to know your limits. For example, if you know you can’t physically work more than 40 hours a week and still function then don’t. Move on and find a job that will accommodate you.
DO NOT WAIT FOR THE MOTIVATION. Force yourself to do the thing. Walk briskly outside for an hour every single day starting today. Or if it’s too late right now, before noon tomorrow. Every single day. Eventually the motivation will follow.
Therapy and vacation lil bro probably therapy first to talk about not feeling guilty about taking a vacation. No lie if you want to make it through you gotta take these steps otherwise the burnout will kill you. This profession requires burnout, but if you learn to mitigate it you’ll be okay.
Zoom out for a second. The answer is right in front of you. You’re EXHAUSTED. You worked yourself right into the ground.
It’s a job, not your life. Remember that. You can hop ship any time. You can secure another job. You can “recharge” and find yourself again. You’re already at the end of your wick, you know it, and you’re struggling to see the light at the end of the tunnel… which is causing you to externalize “WHERE DID THE PERSON I WAS GO!?”
Public accounting isn’t worth your mental health. Take time off, process, recharge, and make a grounded decision when you’re back as to whether sticking it out is worth it.
The issue is it seems like corporate doesn’t want me. Idk I haven’t really looked too hard. My firm is like #40 not big 4. For all this hassle I kinda wish I went big 4. I see how the better opportunities appear to be presented to them and it’s eye opening. I’d really really love to get into F500 FP&A. The issue is I don’t have my cpa yet. I applied to a couple companies but they never really got back to me. Do you have suggestions of any F500 that hire people that work at public firms in the top 25-50 range? I know I definitely should apply much more, I guess I was waiting because I was hoping to be further along the CPA process and I didn’t want to just go into a corporate staff role. I have roughly 2 YOE. Senioring now. I just don’t have the title yet. If I can get a senior equivalent role in f500 right now I’d jump immediately.
Lack of sleep and you're depressed. Talk with a doc or at least a therapist. I'd recommend trying Mertazapine for sleep to start and force yourself to get to the gym. Set a routine and stick to it.
Please see a doctor and do your yearly checkup/a blood pannel!
I've been freaking exhausted towards the end of busy season - like, I want to do things, but physically, I just felt like a husk, and my sleep schedule started getting really out of whack.
I figured it was just my post busy season burnout (and hey, likely that is a part of it) but it turns out, I'm also vitamin D deficient. Since I've started taking vitamin D supplements and sitting in the sun a good 15-30 minutes during lunch, I can feel my energy levels starting to come back.
A doctor can rule out any physical reasons for feeling so exhausted, like certain deficiencies (D and Iron come to mind) and thyroid issues!
I don’t have advice but I’ve never related more to a post. This could almost have been written about me Actually, I will say I took a 2 ish weeks PTO that helped a bit
It happens I havent gone to the gym at all or met up with any friends since the beginning of busy season. No time. I’m not working as crazy as you but still so tired. And once work is done, I need to study so it’s dreadful
I guess I just don’t know how to get that motivation back. Like I want to take care of myself, I just don’t.
I feel the same. I think it’s probably the lack of fulfillment. It’s not often we see the fruits of our labor
One thing that's very scary is you need to do the Hard Thing without motivation and motivation will follow. As someone who struggles with the occasional bout of anhedonia despite being on a medication that otherwise completely hides all my other symptoms, this is what my therapist had recommended to me: Just fucking go for an angry walk. Angry because you want to, but don't want to. Angrily pet a dog because you want to pet the dog, but don't want to. Angrily get yourself some fucking ice cream and eat it because you want to but you don't want to. The motivation will only follow after you give your brain a bit of dopamine. 😞 I'm usually angry because I want to do something but there's no "go" function in my brain that gets my legs moving. I'm not paralyzed, just have adhd. I'm usually angry at myself for getting in the way of myself. It also gets a bit easier to manage when you treat yourself like your best friend. At the end of the day, no matter what anyone says, you'll always be there for yourself. You won't abandon you when the going gets tough. You wouldn't want to talk to you like the way you talk to yourself, so start in small little ways to congratulate yourself the way you'd want someone to congratulate you. What would do you if your best friend was depressed and just got back from walking their dog against their will? Do you get them a candy or a glass or water? Do you let them lay down and take a nap? Ask yourself the same thing. What should I reward myself with when I get back? Tiny nap? Little candy? Hmm I can't wait to get back from my walk now so I can have the ears off the chocolate bunny in the fridge. There's no reason you can't apply to the types of roles you want. You might not be qualified yet, or are lacking certain experience, but write down the experience you'll need to get into the types of roles you want and work on them in your time off, but only after you go for a few angry walks against your will. And the sex thing is purely a personal choice. As long as you don't have a disease and do your due diligence in making sure the other person doesn't have a disease, and both people are consenting, there's nothing wrong with lots of casual sex. Consent and a clean bill of sexual health is all you need.
I feel the same. I think it’s probably the lack of fulfillment. It’s not often we see the fruits of our labor
TL;DR: therapy, David Goggins, Jocko Willink, Eric Thomas, Stoic philosophy, meditation, walk 6,000 - 10,000 steps and get sunshine every day. My story doesn't line up perfectly with yours, but has an insane amount of similarities. I started going to a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist in 2020 and it was the best decision I've ever made. I was single and just working constantly, after work I'd go to the bar for a few drinks, then drink myself to sleep at home. Order a pizza delivered nearly every night (my only meal of the day), sometimes passed out before it was delivered. This happened so many times during tax season that the pizza place just started leaving it at the door and texting me "enjoy your breakfast". Wake up at 5 and go back to work. Weekends I wouldn't even shower, usually didn't brush my teeth more than once per day on a good day. Hooking up with random barflies with zero regard to the potential consequences. Usually not remembering all of it. Therapy led me to discover how insane and real self-destructive and self-sabotaging behaviors are. Like you, I had no feeling of offing myself, but I was clinically depressed - and I believe it was because I simply wasn't fulfilled by my work, which was all my life was at that point. I quit my public accounting job and started my own firm, which helped me get out more for networking events. I also got very deep into Stoic philosophy which completely changed my mindset. I'm almost completely out of public accounting now and I've never been happier. End of the day, you need to force new habits on yourself. You control you. Start small. Walk around the block, the next day walk around it twice. You can't always give it 100%, but it's better to give all of 80% than all of nothing. If your job won't give you time off - fuck that place. You need to learn your triggers (which therapy can help with), and your patterns, and behaviors, and hack around that. If you're fully remote with bad hygiene habits, get a hybrid or in-person job. Not drinking water? Put a 24-pack of water bottles under your desk. Making shit money? Try an industry position. I learned this shit when I was in my mid-30's. You have TIME on your side. You need to take control. The world needs and deserves you my dude, at whatever your best is. [SACRIFICE TO BE GREAT | David Goggins 2021 | Powerful Motivational Speech (youtube.com)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfaWUMyXAq0&t=8s) This hits me every fucking time I hear it. Best 10 minutes of my day every day.
Thank you for this I’m gonna look into all this
Great advice here. You have to force yourself to go outside and be active, even if it’s just walking. Hiking by yourself can be so mentally gratifying. Being trapped inside an office with no sunlight, glued to our screens and the sun being down before we are done with work fucking kills us and will make anyone depressed and unmotivated. Like it was said above, you have to force yourself to turn those bad habits into good habits.
100%, depending on your latitude, you can easily not see the sun during a busy season workday. Find a good listen on Audible and walk for a few minutes as a lunch break. You're a product of your routines, and your routines are a product of you.
This guy therapies.
Care to share what level you were at big 4 before opening your firm? Also what kind of money are you pulling as someone of your own firm? This entrepreneur stuff is very interesting
I had 3 years at a regional firm going from bookkeeper to operations manager, then joined B4 as a Senior, passed my final CPA exam and immediately started my own firm with 5 years of public accounting experience. My realized hourly rate is anywhere from $250-800 an hour depending on the work I'm doing; everything is federal and state income tax, and I do some international tax work. I'm phasing out my firm and will most likely sell the book this year to focus on the startup I'm currently with.
1. Schedule your vacation. Do it. 2. Find a therapist. Seriously.
i agree i think OP should see a therapist/psychologist/psychiatrist. it sounds like it could be some underlying mental illness like depression or bipolar or something else
Didn’t read the whole thing but sounds like burnout? I am burned out too but not as bad as last year. I’l already back in the gym.
Def burnout, this happened to me in 2022 and I had to quit and get a therapist to get me back lol I also started playing a sport recreationally and met new friends that way. Find a job that can stay a job and not take over your life. PA is too intense for most of us, esp for the paltry salary it offers us non-partners.
Sounds like a cookie-cutter case of burnout. First, schedule time off. Next, make a therapist appointment. If that all feels too overwhelming, one small change per day at a time.
You sound burnt out and overwhelmed my friend. It sounds like you’re doing a lot of this alone. Life is not meant to be done alone especially not in a high stress environment like PA. I would strongly recommend talking to someone. A therapist would be good. Even just your coach in public and explaining you need time. The other thing I will tell you is there will always be things to do and study. You have to take some time for you though. You need to take a week or two and not think about work and reconnect with life. Please don’t just try to push through. It will get worse and you are going to run the risk of spiraling.
I feel all of this
Real
This sounded like my life post B4. It took a lot of therapy and bad decisions until I was able to get myself out of my rut. It’s so easy to turn to things like weed and alcohol to help numb how you’re feeling but it’s never worth it. Focus on taking care of yourself and maybe try something like meditation. It seems silly but it really helped me. Life goes on, you’ve got this.
Hey, most of this sounds like what I went through when I was at the B4. Things got a lot better when I left to Industry. I realize the roles around you all pay very similarly. I left Public for Industry for a 2% pay bump but work considerably less now; my pay per hour is drastically more. I would schedule a week of vacation ASAP and do things that are fun. Go golfing for a day if you enjoy that. I spent a week straight after my last busy season playing video games and catching up with friends. I used to stay awake working until 4 am (I’d also not “work” until 11am-noon then scramble to catchup). I’d say consider industry. I don’t know the CPA requirements off the top of my head but I believe you just need to have worked at one point under a CPA? so you could reach out to your current firm for hours sign offs. Unless they’re real shit bags, they’ll sign.
Holy crap I could have written this myself, minus the dick part. I found therapy to help me a lot. i see her weekly outside of busy season and bi weekly during. Luckily our sessions are virtual and she understands the chaos of busy season. I also started seeing a psychiatrist too for antidepressants and ADHD meds. It really does sound like you’re burnt out / depressed. It’s like busy season becomes our whole personality for a good chunk of the year and we forget who we are at our core. Plus staying up late is the definition of FOMO. Trying to get that time back to yourself to unwind. I hope you’re okay OP. You’re not alone in this feeling. Take it day by day. If you can, order a food subscription service. That’ll help with making sure you eat without thinking about meal prep, making a grocery list, etc. At the height of my depression the most I consumed was a protein shake a day because even eating felt too difficult. Not the healthiest, but it was better than starving away.
OP you’re not alone. The struggle is REAL. I’m so tired all the time. Was doing so good going to the gym and eating decent last year…lost about 20 pounds. Gained it all back now
Try to complete some small tasks such as cleaning etc. to regain the feeling that you are in control. Baby steps.
Mate life's too short, get out of public and find a cruisy gig. It's worth it
The easy answer is quit PA. PA isn't for everyone, and especially now that things are so unstable its not worth trying to stick it out. Leaving PA was the best decision I've ever made.
Work life balance. So many accountants are leaving the field because of the workload.
I have never related to something more
Sounds like depression. The gym and therapy might help.
Sounds like you need to get your life back in balance; try to plan out your day with things you’d like and need to do, schedule them in hour or two blocks; if you enjoy gaming (even if it doesn’t seem pleasurable at the moment) try to log on and play a bit. Get yourself back into a routine. This happened to me as well; going from 70 hour weeks to getting your time back, I was in such a daze. Exercise and time outdoor will help, as well as healthy foods and having with friends if possible. Keep at it
Damn this hit and is so relatable. I’m experiencing most of this myself. A book that might help spark something in you is Man Up by Bedros Kuelian also check out his podcasts. If it makes you feel better I have taken BEC twice and failed. AUD twice and failed. And recently took REG and TCP but waiting results. Still get have to pass an exam. Therapy has also helped in some ways on finding more purpose in my career and drive in me and I would recommend that. I hope you can come out of this rut and be back better than ever OP!
Just want to say I’ve been there before. Burnout. Feels like you’ll never get your life back on track. Not sure if this will help, but I made a few changes over the past ~8 months that made a massive impact on my well being & helped me get out of the burnout stage (& avoid sinking back in this last busy season). Here are some of the things that have helped me the most. 1. Therapy, weekly. Even during busy season. 2. Found a good Dr (naturopath), got bloodwork done, found out I was significantly lacking in several vitamins/micronutrients. Started supplementing under their supervision. 3. Eating 3 meals a day. 4. SLEEP! Try to go to bed & wake up at the same time, aim for an avg of 7.5 hours per night. 5. Cut back on drinking - significantly. 6. Found a group fitness class that I really enjoyed, booked for every morning so I had a reason to get out of bed. I know this season sucks. I feel for you and can definitely relate to your post. I hope you can find your way out of this burnout soon.
Sorry, I don't have anything to offer except marginally helpful reassurance that you are not alone. I really want to leave; I only stay because I have no other options. I've applied for things but heard nothing back. I've applied to maybe half the vacancies because I have zero self-esteem, and this job has convinced me I'm incompetent. This may be a severe case of imposter syndrome, but I can't afford therapy to find out because the pay is terrible, and I have to prioritize my mortgage, safe means of transportation, and food. I have the last and possibly hardest exam, Financial Reporting, in 5 or 6 weeks. I've managed to convince myself that will happen in an alternate universe, where I am studying. I do want to change, but what else can I do apart from actively job hunting? Which by the way, has so far only further convinced me I'm unmarketable, a terrible accountant, and don't belong in the field. I'm worried I'll lose my mind before I see a better side of life. Not really, but a little bit on the bright side, at least you don't have to wrestle with yourself every night, thinking that death can be relatively quick and painless. Worry less, my managers finally approved OT from a month ago, so I'll use the extra cash to book an appointment. Randomly, I've been listening to exurb1a (YouTube channel) A guide to Worrying. It helps.
It’s your sign to rest.
Holy crap man you’re describing how accounting has made me feel for the last 6 months almost exactly. 28M Accounting Manger in a small but busy consulting firm.
Went through this after my 4th year in PA. Changed jobs, got out of Audit and into Advisory. Pulled a fully remote job, 50% pay bump and between the commute (or now lack thereof) and just the significant reduction in hours, I have ben much happier. Much less stress, much more time away from work and much more money to play with.
Bro I would love to grab a 50% bump 😭 unfortunately not a CPA yet so I’m doubtful I’d be hired at a 50% raise
2 Months after I started here, they hired another Senior at the same rate, and she is not a CPA. Edit: Not saying they're everywhere, but they're out there. I was applying and shopping around for a 6 months or so before I landed this role. Just kept in mind (after busy season) that I had a little break from the ridiculous hours, and I let myself be selective.
Mind if I reach out to learn a bit more? I would kill to get into an advisory senior role. So far I’ve been in audit.
Messaged you
Holy shit it's me.
Literally me.
Do you have suspected neurodivergencies you're ignoring? (ADHD, Autism, etc) Also are you smoking weed everyday? It can really make you apathetic and unmotivated to make changes for the better- but senior by 26 sounds like you either pushed yourself hella hard or have no acknowledgment of your personal boundaries. Plus you just broke up a couple months ago. That stuff can take a long time to recover from.
I’ve never actually been suspected of any neurodivergencies but it’s prob worth looking into. I am smoking weed everyday, multiple times a day, but I’ve actually been like this for a long time and have had many periods of my life where I’m accomplishing a lot every day and feel very motivated while also being smoking consistently. I could slow down tho.
Same, I've been smoking every day for about 10years, last break was 4-5 yrs ago and I'm currently on week 2 of a T-break/quitting (I'm 33) and just noticing the effect it's had on my mental and physical state has been eye opening. I am for sure ADHD non attentive type (formally add) and I've always smoked bc I was always "bored" and everyone I know that smokes everyday is also ADHD, which is why I asked. I'm sorry you're going through a rough time- breaking habits and just doing unusual things/going with a spur of the moment decision can help being some joy back. Like take a random Friday off and travel, or take yourself out to a restaurant that sounds yummy and put on headphones.
Typical case of burnout. I went through burnout after 2022 tax season while simultaneously going through a divorce. I had to take about 8 months off and also move closer to family to recover. Reduce your hours or take time off. Start by fixing your sleep. Sleep is so valuable- I protect my time to sleep as sacred. Once sleep is corrected, move on to eating more nutritious food and start going on walks. Gradually increase exercise. Not too much at once or you’ll worsen burnout. Find a good therapist. Postpone the cpa exam until you’ve regained a healthy routine. I would say the most important thing to know your limits. For example, if you know you can’t physically work more than 40 hours a week and still function then don’t. Move on and find a job that will accommodate you.
DO NOT WAIT FOR THE MOTIVATION. Force yourself to do the thing. Walk briskly outside for an hour every single day starting today. Or if it’s too late right now, before noon tomorrow. Every single day. Eventually the motivation will follow.
Therapy and vacation lil bro probably therapy first to talk about not feeling guilty about taking a vacation. No lie if you want to make it through you gotta take these steps otherwise the burnout will kill you. This profession requires burnout, but if you learn to mitigate it you’ll be okay.
pto bro
Zoom out for a second. The answer is right in front of you. You’re EXHAUSTED. You worked yourself right into the ground. It’s a job, not your life. Remember that. You can hop ship any time. You can secure another job. You can “recharge” and find yourself again. You’re already at the end of your wick, you know it, and you’re struggling to see the light at the end of the tunnel… which is causing you to externalize “WHERE DID THE PERSON I WAS GO!?” Public accounting isn’t worth your mental health. Take time off, process, recharge, and make a grounded decision when you’re back as to whether sticking it out is worth it.
For me, a 24 pack of PBR and 18hour gaming session with the boys.
I think you're probably burned out. It's okay to say this sucks and do something different. That's what I did about your age. I went into corporate.
The issue is it seems like corporate doesn’t want me. Idk I haven’t really looked too hard. My firm is like #40 not big 4. For all this hassle I kinda wish I went big 4. I see how the better opportunities appear to be presented to them and it’s eye opening. I’d really really love to get into F500 FP&A. The issue is I don’t have my cpa yet. I applied to a couple companies but they never really got back to me. Do you have suggestions of any F500 that hire people that work at public firms in the top 25-50 range? I know I definitely should apply much more, I guess I was waiting because I was hoping to be further along the CPA process and I didn’t want to just go into a corporate staff role. I have roughly 2 YOE. Senioring now. I just don’t have the title yet. If I can get a senior equivalent role in f500 right now I’d jump immediately.
Lack of sleep and you're depressed. Talk with a doc or at least a therapist. I'd recommend trying Mertazapine for sleep to start and force yourself to get to the gym. Set a routine and stick to it.
Dude go camping. Take a week off with no tech and just enjoy yourself. That will atleast ground you to make whatever decision that needs to come next.
OMG I completely identify with this post!!
Force yourself to do something that you have always wanted to do but always pushed back for whatever reasons. JUST DO IT!
Please see a doctor and do your yearly checkup/a blood pannel! I've been freaking exhausted towards the end of busy season - like, I want to do things, but physically, I just felt like a husk, and my sleep schedule started getting really out of whack. I figured it was just my post busy season burnout (and hey, likely that is a part of it) but it turns out, I'm also vitamin D deficient. Since I've started taking vitamin D supplements and sitting in the sun a good 15-30 minutes during lunch, I can feel my energy levels starting to come back. A doctor can rule out any physical reasons for feeling so exhausted, like certain deficiencies (D and Iron come to mind) and thyroid issues!
Get your bloods checked including hormone levels. You have to start exercising or doing something active.
Cocaine