Fed up and burnt out: ‘quiet quitting’ hits academia

So, I was just reading this really interesting article titled Fed up and burnt out: ‘quiet quitting’ hits academia, and it got me thinking about how many of us feel the same way. Basically, the article talks about how a growing number of academics are choosing to leave their jobs without making a fuss or drawing attention to themselves. They call it “quiet quitting”.

Apparently, burnout and stress are some of the main reasons why people are leaving. Things like heavy workloads, lack of recognition, and low pay are also contributing factors. I mean, it’s not surprising when you think about it. Academia can be a really demanding field, and sometimes it feels like there’s no end in sight.

But what I found really interesting about the article is how it talks about how people are leaving in a quiet way. I mean, we usually hear about the people who leave with a bang, right? They make a big announcement and everyone’s talking about it. But with “quiet quitting”, people just sort of disappear without anyone really noticing. It’s kind of sad when you think about it.

In my own experience, I’ve definitely thought about leaving academia before. I’ve had moments where I’ve felt really burnt out and overwhelmed, and I’ve wondered if it’s worth it. But I love what I do, so I always manage to push through. That being said, I totally understand why people would choose to leave quietly. Sometimes it feels like the only way to go.

Overall, I think this is an important topic to discuss. We need to start paying more attention to the mental health and wellbeing of academics, and making sure that their needs are being met. We don’t want to lose talented and passionate people because of burnout and stress. So, if you’re feeling overwhelmed or burnt out, don’t be afraid to reach out for help. There’s nothing wrong with taking care of yourself.