Rust-Out Is the New Burnout: How to Spot It & Fix It

Lara here, Girlboss’ contributing writer! 👋

Have you been feeling bored and disinterested at work lately? And no, we don’t mean because Love Island and the FIFA World Cup just ended. 🤪 We’re talking about that understimulated, disconnected feeling you get at work when your job feels like a dead end. 🫩 That’s rust-out, babes! It’s burnout’s boring cousin, but its effects are just as real. Today, we’re breaking down what that means, how to know if you’re experiencing it, and what you can do about it. 💪

Other stuff the Girlboss team is yapping about on Slack:

In case you needed this reminder today.
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Is Your Job Giving You Rust-Out?! ⚙️

Step aside, burnout! A hot new bombshell has entered the villa, and its name is rust-out. 💃 And not only is it more common than burnout, but it’s also affecting more employees in the face of AI (after all, how are we supposed to feel inspired to do our best work when a robot can allegedly do it better?). Here’s everything you need to know:

🔥 Ummm WTF is rust-out?

True to its name, rust-out isn’t fiery or intense like burnout: instead, it’s a slow, quiet erosion into apathy and complacency at work, often as a result of poor management, lack of growth opportunities, or just an overall dissatisfaction with your role. Sound familiar?

🤔 Wait, how can I know if I’m rusted out at work?

Here are some signs to look for:

You feel constantly understimulated: You feel like you could do your job in your sleep because your work lacks variety, challenge, or opportunities for growth.
You’re a Negative Nancy 24/7: You’re quick to tell everyone how much your job and company sucks, and you’ve lost any motivation to do more than the bare minimum.
You’re drained AF: If you’ve been experiencing chronic fatigue, headaches, or lack of appetite, this could be why: surprisingly, doing less at work can drain more energy than being busy.

😭 OMG, that’s me! How do I fix it?!

Great news: clocking it is the first step! Here’s how you can scrape the rust off:

Seek out growth opportunities: Whether it’s linking up with a mentor, taking a (work-sanctioned) online course, or volunteering for more responsibilities in your role, changing up the monotony of your day-to-day routine can go a long way. Plus, it’s all the more justification to ask for that promotion when the time comes around. 😉
Have a hard convo with your manager: We know, we know, the idea of an unprovoked 1:1 might send chills down your spine, but it’s often the most effective way to make a change. Go in with concrete suggestions for how you’d like your role to grow, whether that’s taking on new projects or shadowing a different role.
Find your spark outside of work: Sometimes our work situations aren’t negotiable (especially in this economy, ugh). If the above suggestions aren’t realistic for you, consider pursuing a new hobby outside of work that challenges you and gives you something to look forward to. May we suggest a grandma hobby?
And if all else fails… May we humbly suggest that it’s time to look for a new job? Here’s how to get noticed according to a top job recruiter. Plus, there’s a good chance your next role is waiting for you on the Girlboss Job Board!

POLL: Are you experiencing rust-out at work?

What Team Girlboss has been loving lately.

🛍️ The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is on, and we’re eyeing these Adidas Samba OG Sneakers, marked down to $69.99 from $100.

🔥 Small but mighty is an understatement. The Lovehoney Excite 10 Bullet Vibrator (just $14) has 10 functions, three speeds, and seven patterns—zero notes from us because it may be little, but it works hard enough to make for a very hot summer night.*

📺 Contributing Writer Lara binge-watched all of Apple TV’s comedy thriller series Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed starring Tatiana Maslany and Jake Johnson over the weekend, and she’s already impatient for season 2! It’s campy and chaotic in all the best ways.

🍝 What’s up, Gigglers! The Giggly Squad podcast (hosted by Paige DeSorbo and Hannah Berner, ofc) just dropped their new merch, and Lara immediately added this Lasagna Tank Top to cart. It’s so damn cute!

🕯️ Ouhh, Trader Joe’s came out with a new Beach Day Scented Candle with aromas of sea salt, bergamot, lily of the valley, and sandalwood, and we’re dying to get our hands on it.