Taking on too much work can sometimes lead to burnout. The “rust out”, on the other hand, arises from a different imbalance. We’ll explain what it’s all about.
What does it mean to be “rust out” as a person? For example, dissatisfaction at work and a loss of motivation. According to the “Collins Dictionary”, “rust out” in American parlance means something like: to rot or become unusable as a result of the effects of rust. Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States, is said to have said:
We must all either wear out or rust out, every one of us. My choice is to wear out.
So, “We’re all going to either wear out or rust, every single one of us. My choice is to wear out.” Because similar to a rusted part of a machine, people no longer function as they did before when they “rust out”. While a worn item becomes less effective but still tries to serve its purpose, a rusty item eventually gets in the way of its purpose.
On Oprah Daily, clinical consultant Wendy Boring-Bray explains that it’s not just boredom that people who rust out feel. It is “the true loss of meaning” – in everyday life, at work or in other areas of life. “It’s a psychological or emotional stagnation,” Boring-Bray said. People lack challenge or fulfillment.
How “Rust Out” shows itself in everyday life
Your responsibilities at work always feel the same, like they don’t add value to you or the world. You only do your tasks half-heartedly and don’t try very hard. Maybe you even surf the Internet on the side, you lack concentration. When you’re free, you don’t know what you want to do with the evening – and you give up: cook something, watch something, sleep at some point. The next day it starts all over again. People who experience a “rust out” often lose touch with the things they enjoy. Affected people feel that there could be more to life; but they don’t really know what this “more” is supposed to be. They often lose contact with friends due to their lack of drive and this isolation can cause psychological consequences up to and including depression.
Which can help to find meaning
If you sink too deep into meaninglessness, you may need professional help. Unfortunately, there is no benchmark for when a “rust out” goes too far. Know that it’s okay if you feel like you can’t handle this problem on your own. The following steps can help against a “rust out”:
Find your own values
People with “rust out” have a hard time finding meaning. They do not know what is enough for them or what they need. Worrying about this will help you get out of this state. What did you enjoy doing before things got the way they are? Reach out for hobbies you enjoyed or hang out with people you previously cared about. Those affected often notice that there are things in which they can find meaning.
Break routines
For many people, “Rust Out” means they rarely leave the house, preferring the comfort of a series to pursuing other activities. Many procrastinate or go to bed late because the thought of going to sleep only to plunge back into unsatisfactory work routine blocks them. Others use sleep as an escape to stop thinking about the meaninglessness of life. Find routines that are good for you. A walk in the morning, a book in the evening, meeting friends occasionally – or maybe a sports or language course that forces you to leave the apartment or house every week.
take care of yourself
Yes, as is so often the case, self-care is also a tip against rust “out”. Doing something good for yourself is and remains a small miracle cure. It can only be a few minutes a day when you do something that brings you joy. Your favorite drink in the afternoon, dancing around the apartment in the morning or singing along to your favorite song, spending an evening with face masks and incense sticks… the list is pretty much endless. Positive affirmations can also help you break negative thought spirals. At the beginning, these can also be simple sentences such as “I am healthy” or “I can be happy”.
Sources used: oprahdaily.com, collinsdictionary.com, linkedin.com, whitehouse.gov, webmd.com, psychologytoday.com