Billy Joel told us to “slow down”, but why is it that Gen Z now flaunts burnout as an aesthetic?
Elle Woods from the movie Legally Blonde studying for her LSATs. Pic/angelamariahart.com
Ever feel like you’re not doing enough? We’ve all been there, questioning the worth of our accomplishments, especially in an era where everything demands a curated “Pinterest aesthetic”. Burnout has long been normalised in Indian work and academic culture, viewed as a necessary sacrifice for success. But what sets this generation apart is the romanticisation of that exhaustion, where overwork isn’t just accepted, it’s glorified. The ideal Pinterest vision board comprises pictures of a well-lit “aesthetic” study desk, neatly curated notes, good grades, an image of a fictional bookworm reading or studying, and, of course, a motivational quote frequently echoing the phrases “study until you’re excited to give the test”.
To a certain extent, romanticising an activity that not many people are naturally drawn to yields positive outcomes. Arohi Chakravarty, a 19-year-old student, is an avid user of Pinterest and curates aesthetically pleasing mood boards to help her study. “ The aesthetics of a clean, brightly lit, well-organised room, and good handwriting, where people are often seen sipping their favourite drink or lighting a candle in an attempt not to treat it as a chore but rather a fun activity, is what is most appealing to me.”
Rory Gilmore from Gilmore Girls cramming one night before her test. Pic/Tumblr@studyloves
Aditya Vajandar, a 20-year-old student, shares, “Pinterest feels calming. It’s not loud or chaotic like some other apps, and there’s no pressure to interact. When I’m overwhelmed, I scroll through study desk setups, cosy bedrooms, inspirational quotes, or just mood boards that make me feel a little more put together. It’s like visual therapy sometimes.”
Fictional characters also play a part as role models for academic inspiration. Chakravarty adds, “Elle Woods from ‘Legally Blonde’ is someone I really admire for her work ethic,” while Eva Joseph, a 19-year-old student, says, “Rory Gilmore is someone I primarily look up to, I feel like she’s the classic, while she may be potentially toxic when it comes to her relationship with studies.”
What distinguishes healthy productivity from toxic patterns, though? And how can you tell if it’s burnout or just stress?
Consulting psychiatrist at Fortis Hospital Dr Sanjay Kumavat says, “Burnout shows its physical signs in the form of fatigue, apathy towards work, irritability, and a tendency to be drawn to substances such as alcohol and cigarettes. Now that our socialising is being majorly conducted by social media, we tend to isolate ourselves.” The glorification of hustle by chugging 5-6 cups of coffee per day and cramming until your body gives out is not only unhealthy but a subtle reminder that anything less is insufficient.
Vajandar shares, “I think I’ve been conditioned to associate being tired or busy with being productive or successful. If I’m well-rested and not stressed, part of me wonders if I’m slacking. I’m trying to unlearn that, but it’s hard, especially when everyone around you seems to be constantly hustling.”
Samson Carvalho, Psychology teacher at Jamnabai Narsee School, asserts, “To a large extent, burnout is ignored because of the whole romanticised ‘fast-paced Mumbai’ culture. People do not want to take the liberty to slow down; we don’t give ourselves the permission to take a break because of its consequences productivity. There is cultural pride in working till you drop; we label it as endurance. Social media encourages this hustle culture. At the same time, the fine line between healthy motivation and toxic productivity can be identified by its effects on you. It’s good to challenge ourselves, yet not at the cost of our physical and mental well-being. ”
Chakravarty suggests, “I think people romanticise burnout far too often and create content that could even go as far as encouraging it for the sake of likes and shares (based on relatability) on platforms like Instagram and Pinterest. Knowing other people are going through the same thing as you helps some people recover better, but getting caught in the endless loop of burnout memes often causes people to internalise the feeling and believe they still relate to it, making recovery a more difficult and painful process.”
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