I’ve experienced burnout throughout work and education since I was sixteen. Usually around once every 12-18 months. I’ve accrued a lot of associated trauma.
For context, burnout for me is extreme depression and executive dysfunction lasting for months at a time to the extent I stop all work and social activities.
I quit my corporate job after burnout and went through six months of depression. Then I started my own business, contracted back at my old company doing my old job for 4x the pay and it was amazing. No more performance reviews, “quality” meetings, etc. If they wanted to force me to sit in a meeting, I was getting paid by the hour. They couldn’t dictate my hours, so when I needed a break, I took one.
Being in control was what saved me. Never work for others if you can be an independent contractor or entrepreneur.