Burnout among young people: «I can't commit myself»
"Sometimes I regret that I took school lightly. Unfortunately, I focussed more on my friends than on studying. My grades were quite good, but my behaviour was lacking: reliability, punctuality - my report card had all the wrong boxes ticked. I'm not the school type, but I couldn't imagine starting work after secondary school. For our secondary school teacher, the number of applications sent out was more important than what was in them. Even in the tenth year, the class teacher offered little support with the content. I thought that was of little use - and left. The agreement with my parents was that I would help out at the pizza courier they ran and look for an apprenticeship on the side. The latter didn't really work out. That's why I'm now attending a craft school, I go to classes once a week and have to try to find a work placement.
«I have so many interests, I can't commit myself»
We are making specific preparations at the new school: I have sent out two applications and have already been accepted for a trial apprenticeship as a ventilation mechanic. Even as a child, I asked myself what I wanted to do for a living. But I never found a clear answer. I have so many interests and am always open to new things. I've had a taste of many professions, I've enjoyed almost all of them - but I couldn't imagine doing just this one job. I can't commit myself. My brother is doing a commercial apprenticeship at the bank. I think my mum would have liked to see me in a job like that too. Later, I would like to take over my father's pizza service, I grew up with the business and it means a lot to me.
«I got a taste of many professions, I liked almost every one of them»
The work is varied: you do the shopping, the cooking, the office work and the deliveries. I particularly enjoy doing that, so I always see new faces. My father says I still have a lot of work ahead of me if I want to take over the business. It's not enough to have a clue about everything, you have to look behind the scenes and know the details. I have a good rapport with people, I believe you can achieve a lot if you treat them with decency. But I'm afraid that I won't get anything done because I'm so easily distracted. I'm really working on improving myself. I hope that I can find an apprenticeship and make it through three years, even if it gets monotonous."
Online dossier Burnout
Read more:
- An increasing number of twelve-year-olds are complaining of exhaustion and lack of motivation. What are the reasons? A search for clues.
- When prolonged stress becomes excessive, the soul burns out: Causes, symptoms and how to find a way out of the crisis.