Emotional Burnout and Spiritual Numbness: How to Regain Passion, Joy, and Purpose

One of the most severe signs of emotional burnout is the emptiness of the self- the sense of being drained of vitality. People suffering from burnout often lose their connection to themselves and stop believing they can feel good. They lose the ability to love themselves, to feel at home within themselves and lose touch with their own emotions.

This has spiritual consequences too. Rabbi Isaac Sher, in Leket Sichot Mussar (“Developing the Power of Love”), teaches that when a person loses the ability to feel or love themselves, they also lose the capacity to perform mitzvot with their heart. Eventually, even the motivation to perform practical mitzvot may fade, leaving the person focused only on external technicalities, devoid of heart and soul.

In Pirkei Avot (4:2), we find the teaching: “The reward of a mitzvah is a mitzvah.” Rabbi Ovadia of Bartenura explains that this means “every delight and pleasure a person experiences in performing a mitzvah is itself considered a mitzvah and earns its own reward.”

Joy in performing mitzvot is not a bonus, but a central part of the mitzvah itself. A person living in constant burnout is cut off from their emotional world, turning their life into a never-ending list of duties and obligations, robbing them of that joy.

Emotional Disconnection and Cynicism

Other symptoms of burnout include distancing from others and developing a cynical attitude toward society. A burned-out person becomes emotionally detached, viewing both themselves and others more like objects than people. As a result, they may lose interest in others and withdraw socially.

Conversations with someone in burnout tend to be bland or emotionally flat. They may respond dryly, if at all, to even simple questions.

A burned-out person also avoids investing in key areas of life. Motivation and energy are fueled by hope, and the belief that things can improve. Hope is the mother of all effort whereas despair breeds indifference and laziness.

The less light a person sees at the end of the tunnel, the less energy they’ll have to act in the present. After all, if they no longer believe their actions will shape a better future, what’s the point?

The Value of Enthusiasm

Burnout affects not only tje emotional and social domain, but spiritual life as well. A person in burnout may neglect their personal connection to G-d, their children’s education, their marriage, and more.

A burned-out soul struggles to feel excited about anything, least of all about their spiritual practice. Ironically, a person may come to belittle their spiritual efforts simply because they don’t feel the excitement they believe should be there. Instead of adding more "spiritual hype" in this situation, it is best to heal the burnout first.

Revelation vs. Sustainability: A Lesson from the Tablets

In Midrash Tanchuma (Ki Tisa, 37), the Sages explain that the first tablets given at Mount Sinai were shattered because they were given in a public, dramatic revelation. This made them vulnerable to the “evil eye.” Because of this exposure, the first tablets didn’t endure. In contrast, the second tablets- given quietly and without fanfare- endured for generations.

The Sfat Emet asks: If the dramatic revelation led to the breaking of the tablets, why did G-d choose to give them that way at all? Why not just give the first tablets in private, like the second ones, so they could last?

G-d knew the first tablets would be broken. But even so, the initial excitement and awe of the public revelation were worth it. That burst of enthusiasm at the beginning of the journey gave the Jewish people a spiritual boost that justified the risk- even if the tablets themselves wouldn’t survive.

Serving G-d with "Beginnings"

On the very first verse of the Torah:“In the beginning, G-d created the heavens and the earth”- Rashi brings the Midrashic teaching that the world was created “for the sake of Torah, which is called ‘the beginning of His way,’ and for Israel, who are called ‘the first of His produce.’”

The holy Rabbi of Lakhovitch added a third idea: “The world was created for the sake of serving G-d with beginnings- with renewal and excitement.” Meaning, for the sake of spiritual enthusiasm, the sense of freshness, energy, and emotional engagement in divine service.

This teaches us just how vital enthusiasm is. That level of heartfelt engagement is almost impossible for someone caught in the cold, numb fog of burnout.

The Power of Aspiration

One of the key tools to combat burnout is aspiration. Having goals, dreams, and spiritual ambition is a major driver of human growth.

The Rambam (Hilchot Teshuvah 5:2) writes that every person is capable of being righteous like Moshe Rabbeinu. Some take this literally- that although we may not reach his prophetic level, we can reach his spiritual greatness. Others interpret it to mean that each person can reach their own highest potential- just as Moshe reached his.

The Sages teach: "Every person must say: When will my deeds reach those of my ancestors?" Rabbi Yerucham Levovitz of Mir explains that this should be applied to our own generation. In his time, for example, one had to ask: “When will my deeds reach those of the Chafetz Chaim?”

These aspirations are a system of spiritual expectations, and they are good and healthy, as long as we also build a compassionate, balanced life structure that allows us to feel successful along the way- not only once we reach the top. We must not only seek happiness at the destination but learn to find joy in the journey itself.

Burnout robs a person of their energy, joy, and sense of connection. But it can be healed with the right tools of self-awareness, emotional renewal, aspiration, and compassion.

Enthusiasm, hope, and the will to grow are not luxuries, but spiritual necessities. Sometimes, the most spiritual thing you can do is to reignite your own soul.