Key Takeaways
The subject, clearly
This piece is about burnout and culture shock that build quietly, then explode right before a long rest.
The core feeling
A worker feels used, unappreciated, and emotionally raw after a long stretch of pressure and little true recovery.
The turning point
When a break is close, the mind loosens its grip, and the hidden weight comes up fast.
Story & Details
A life that looks stable, but feels heavy
From the outside, everything can look simple: a job, a routine, a place to live, days that repeat. Inside, it can feel like a slow leak. Energy fades first. Then patience. Then hope.
A worker living far from home describes a change that did not happen in one day. It happened through repetition. A steady rhythm of demands. A tone that feels cold. A sense that effort is expected, but respect is optional. Gratitude feels rare. The worker starts to feel like a tool, not a person.
How anger grows in a tired body
Anger often appears late in the story. At the beginning, the focus is survival. Newness gives fuel. The mind says, “I can do this.” It ignores small cuts because the goal is bigger than the pain.
But tiredness keeps score. When rest is not real rest, the body never resets. Even quiet days can feel tense, because the worry stays on. The worker carries pressure into meals, sleep, and silence. The result is a short fuse and a long sadness.
The culture shock under the surface
In a new country, everyday rules can feel different. The way people speak. The way they ask. The way they correct. The way they show approval, or do not show it. When someone is strong, these differences feel like style. When someone is depleted, they feel like rejection.
This is how culture shock becomes personal. Not because every person is the same, but because the worker’s nervous system is already overloaded. The mind starts to paint with a wide brush. It becomes easy to say “they” and to feel trapped in that story.
The moment before the break
Right before a long rest, something shifts. The mind senses a door opening. The body finally believes relief is possible. That is when the stored emotions rise.
The worker describes that exact edge: the days when rest is near, but not here yet. It is a fragile time. A time when anger can spike, tears can appear without warning, and disappointment can feel sharp. Not because the person suddenly became weak, but because the person stopped holding everything down.
A tiny language corner
Even small phrases can make daily life softer in a new place. Here are two common expressions from the local language:
Dank je wel
Use: everyday thanks, friendly and normal.
Word-by-word: dank = thanks; je = you; wel = well / indeed (adds warmth).
Tone: informal, safe in most situations.
Variant: dank u wel is more formal.
Graag gedaan
Use: a polite reply after thanks.
Word-by-word: graag = gladly; gedaan = done.
Tone: neutral, kind, very common.
Variant: geen probleem is more casual.
Conclusions
Keeping the truth, removing the trail
Burnout can turn life into a narrow tunnel: work, worry, repeat. Culture shock can make that tunnel feel colder. And when rest is close, the heart finally speaks.
This story holds one clear message: a person is more than output. Rest is not a reward for perfect performance. Rest is a need when stress has been long.
The break is not a magic fix, but it can return something essential: space. And with space, the worker can see again—what was real, what was unfair, and what must change next.
Selected References
[1] World Health Organization — Burn-out as an occupational phenomenon (ICD-11): https://www.who.int/news/item/28-05-2019-burn-out-an-occupational-phenomenon-international-classification-of-diseases
[2] World Health Organization — Burn-out (frequently asked questions): https://www.who.int/standards/classifications/frequently-asked-questions/burn-out-an-occupational-phenomenon
[3] National Health Service (NHS) — Seasonal affective disorder overview: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder-sad/overview/
Appendix
Definitions
Burnout. A work-related pattern linked to long, unmanaged stress, often seen as exhaustion, distance from work, and a sense of reduced effectiveness.
Culture shock. Stress that can arise when daily habits, communication styles, and social rules feel unfamiliar in a new place.
Exploitation. Treatment that takes more than it gives, such as constant demands paired with low respect or unfair conditions.
Nervous system overload. A state where stress stays on for too long, making emotions stronger and recovery harder.
Seasonal affective disorder. A form of depression with a seasonal pattern, often worse in darker months.
My Diary - Leonardo Cardillo 