Guest article provided by patrickriecke.com
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Agoraphobia. It’s a part of my burnout journey that I’ve seldom shared. But this week, I realized something important: it’s nearly gone. ❤️
For me, agoraphobia meant feeling anxious in groups, crowds, and meetings. While I’ve always leaned toward the introverted side, this was something different. You’re not supposed to panic when you walk into the grocery store or attend a family function.
The clearest indicator of my burnout-related agoraphobia?
📅 The overwhelming joy I felt whenever a meeting was cancelled.
Now, don’t get me wrong—most of us are relieved by a cancellation now and then. But from about 2021 to 2023, my social anxiety was so strong that nearly every interaction felt like too much. I dreaded simple social moments, even those I knew could be meaningful.
Signs of Healing
So, how do I know I’m recovering from burnout and the agoraphobia that came with it?
Recently, a colleague cancelled a meeting we had scheduled. Instead of relief, I felt… disappointed. I realized I’d actually wanted that chance to connect.
That shift startled me. It meant something in me had healed.
I’ve noticed it elsewhere, too:
- I enjoy going out with my wife, Kristen, to a local winery or a high school football game.
- I like running into people at the coffee shop again.
- I no longer celebrate every cancelled meeting. In fact, sometimes I feel a little let down.
Burnout and Anxiety: Different for Everyone
Not everyone who experiences burnout also struggles with social anxiety or agoraphobia. But for me, they were deeply connected. The stress of burnout seemed to magnify my fears of showing up in public and being with people.
So, when that anxiety began to fade, I knew it was a milestone worth celebrating.
Moving Forward
Healing isn’t always loud or obvious. Sometimes, it sneaks up quietly, and one day you realize you’re no longer living in the same fear that used to weigh you down.
For me, the disappearance of my burnout-related social anxiety feels like a second chance at connection. And I don’t take that lightly.
If you’d like to read more about my journey through burnout, recovery, and resilience, visit patrickriecke.com—where I share resources, stories, and tools to help others find their way back to vitality.
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