Thanks for sharing -- lots of memories of the five years that led to my departure from academe...
Malesic's book is meaningful. Although I've wrestled with the personal alternative that he chose, which was an independent writing career that would not be financially sustainable on its own (I'm doing something similar). There are some questions about who has the privilege to meaningfully act on burnout in academe and beyond that are uncomfortable holdovers from the disproportionate impact that the pandemic had on faculty (unsurprisingly, women of color with children took the biggest hit). And in some cases I wonder if those who are already the most insulated against burnout in academe are those who have the most opportunities to leave...
Maybe Emily and Amelia Nagoski's book is on your list? I found it quite illuminating.
Hi Joshua - I really appreciate your comments on this. And I really like the N&N book - I read it years ago and thought it made many excellent points as well. I anticipate revisiting it for a future newsletter.
Thanks for sharing -- lots of memories of the five years that led to my departure from academe...
Malesic's book is meaningful. Although I've wrestled with the personal alternative that he chose, which was an independent writing career that would not be financially sustainable on its own (I'm doing something similar). There are some questions about who has the privilege to meaningfully act on burnout in academe and beyond that are uncomfortable holdovers from the disproportionate impact that the pandemic had on faculty (unsurprisingly, women of color with children took the biggest hit). And in some cases I wonder if those who are already the most insulated against burnout in academe are those who have the most opportunities to leave...
Maybe Emily and Amelia Nagoski's book is on your list? I found it quite illuminating.
https://www.burnoutbook.net/
For anyone contemplating an exit from academe, Bruce Feiler's "Life Is in the Transitions" is quite valuable.
Hi Joshua - I really appreciate your comments on this. And I really like the N&N book - I read it years ago and thought it made many excellent points as well. I anticipate revisiting it for a future newsletter.
Team distress (complete with bangs) here! Thanks for this kind wisdom, especially during this drowning time of the year.
Sending you the best possible energy, Rebekah!