Soul exhaustion, also known as emotional burnout or deep fatigue of the spirit, stems from significant life events and crises. Soul exhaustion is cumulative – each big and bad experience adds to the soul taking a knock.

When we look at challenges like Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic, dealing with loss or grief, soul exhaustion is the result of ongoing physical, emotional and mental stress. When everything is added up, it's the soul that takes a knock, leaving us deeply tired not just physically, but mentally too.

Here's how each factor contributes:

Brexit

For many people, Brexit wasn’t just a political or economic change – it was an emotional one too. It caused divisions in communities and families, leaving people with a lot of uncertainty and worry. Politicians weren’t always clear, and the constant questions about jobs, immigration, identity and the economy led to long-term stress. People were anxious about whether they would still have a job tomorrow. Over time, this uncertainty took away their sense of security, safety, and togetherness, which are important for emotional wellbeing. The divisions also damaged relationships and social connections, leaving many feeling isolated and without support.

Covid-19 Pandemic

The Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated feelings of fear, uncertainty and grief on a global scale. Prolonged isolation, health anxieties, and economic instability contributed to a collective exhaustion.

Isolation and Loneliness

Social distancing and lockdowns increased feelings of isolation, leaving people unsure and anxious, without their usual social support systems in place.

Health Fears

Constant worries about getting sick with the virus, along with family losses, took a deep toll on people's mental health. In 2024, these experiences are still talked about on social media, particularly for many, who lost family in lockdown.

Grief and Loss

Constant worries about the virus including grief and loss, took a deep toll on mental health. Many lost loved ones unexpectedly due to the virus, and the inability to mourn through traditional communal methods heightened the sense of unresolved grief. Grief and loss, whether stemming from death, the end of a relationship, or major life changes, can lead to profound emotional fatigue.

Unresolved or complicated grief

Unresolved or complicated grief is particularly draining, as individuals grapple with the acceptance of their new reality and struggle to process their feelings – this is especially true for those already facing mental health challenges. During lockdown, many elderly individuals found themselves confined to care homes, isolated from loved ones, unsure if they would ever see their family again, or have the chance to say goodbye. The lack of clear communication from authorities only intensified people's distress. For many, these emotional burdens manifested physically, resulting in chronic fatigue, low energy and feelings of numbness and disconnection. I can relate to these experience.

Economic Stress

Job loss, financial insecurity, and the overall global economic downturn added another layer of strain. It became cumulative.

The Cumulative Impact

Mental Overload

Brexit, Covid-19, and personal losses together created a constant feeling of crisis and mental overload. This overwhelming stress made it hard to fully process emotions, leaving people stuck in a heightened state of anxiety and exhaustion. I felt like I was always in a state of panic, never able to escape the anxiety of living in a world with a virus, which we're now told by scientists is here to stay with more viruses to follow.

Spiritual Fatigue

Constant hits to a person's sense of stability, purpose, and community slowly wear down their spirit over time. Without moments of reprieve or healing, the constant battle against these external pressures leads to spiritual and emotional depletion.

Loss of Hope

The prolonged nature of these challenges left individuals grappling with a sense of hopelessness and an inability to envision a brighter future. Questions loomed large: Would the pandemic ever come to a close? How many times would I catch Covid? Is the vaccine safe and what are the side effects and how will it affect me? Questions for many, this pervasive loss of hope became a defining aspect of soul exhaustion, deepening the struggle to cope with daily life.

Conclusion

Bad and difficult experiences throughout our lives add to soul exhaustion. The challenges brought by these interconnected global and personal crises highlight the complexity of our times, and overcoming them requires care, empathy, and deep healing.