Introducing BURNT: A Substack by Madison Utendahl & Utendahl Creative
Because who needs 'hustle culture' when you can just... not be BURNT-out?
Eight years ago, at the ripe age of 24, I found myself at a pivotal career crossroads. Ignoring the nagging sense of "this isn't right," I chose the path that looked impressive...and promptly set myself on a crash course for burnout. That journey, as grueling as it was, became a harsh, but necessary, catalyst for change – it forced me to truly examine what I wanted and who I was beyond the job title.
Through my struggles, I have discovered a profound connection between burnout and the pursuit of self-worth. "BURNT," UC’s debut weekly Substack, aims to explore this intricate connection and unravel why the hell we all keep burning out.
Through personal stories, interviews, and research studies, BURNT creates a space for those fed-up with burnout to find relatability, reprieve, and to reconnect with themselves. I, a black woman who's been a burnout regular, and the women of the Utendahl Creative team (also seasoned burnout veterans) will be your guides. Think of us as lab rats navigating our own cycles of healing and recovery, sharing our cringe-worthy failures and hard-won victories along the way.
Burnout – the exhaustion, overwhelm, sadness, the works – stems from prolonged stress. It's a syndrome affecting over 59% of Americans in 2023, which is shockingly on par with levels from the COVID-19 pandemic's peak1. This staggering statistic shows that Burnout isn't a personal failing, it's a widespread phenomenon, and clearly, something needs to change.
Sure, Boomers call it “trendy,” but let's be real, there aren't enough spaces to talk about how and why we burn out, and how much of it we are actually responsible for. BURNT is here to change that. Forget the fluffy self-care slogans – we're tackling the hard truth that burnout is both self-inflicted AND a symptom of a system built on exploitation (aka capitalism). We'll cover everything from workplace BS, toxic bosses, and unrealistic creative demands to finding your worth and setting boundaries.
Think of this Substack as a reminder that Burnout, while often feeling isolating, is a shared experience. While yes, we’re not therapists or licensed coaches, we've lived it – the sleepless nights, the self-doubt spirals, the whole 'hustle & grind’ lie that exacerbates the problem. We’re a group of women who deeply understand the struggle and continue to evolve and recover from our own burnout journeys by discovering our own self worth. BURNT is a forum about those hard-won insights, the ongoing support, and the journey towards the full, vibrant life that lies beyond the burn.
Let's get started. I'm glad you're here.
Xx
Madison
AFLAC - EMPLOYEE WELL‐BEING AND MENTAL HEALTH 2022‐2023https://www.aflac.com/docs/awr/pdf/2022-trends-and-topics/2022-aflac-awr-employee-well-being-and-mental-health.pdf