Boreout

Boreout is chronic underchallenge at work — too little meaningful demand instead of too much — producing symptoms that look like burnout: exhaustion, cynicism and declining self-worth. Coined in European management literature, it is the quieter sibling of burnout and often goes unrecognized because the sufferer appears to have an easy job.

Typical pattern: tasks well below your ability, stretched thin across a long day, plus the effort of appearing busy — which is itself draining. Because 'I am bored' sounds ungrateful, many people hide boreout for years while their skills and confidence quietly erode.

The way out runs through demand, not rest: negotiating stretch responsibilities, an internal move, or — where the role simply has no room to grow — a deliberate change. A useful first step is checking whether your job still offers real growth at all.