If a self-improvement habit has started to feel like one more thing you are failing at, you are allowed to drop it. That one permission may do more for your energy than a new routine.
Psychotherapist Phil Lane argues in Psychology Today that today’s culture of optimization, with its “wellnessmaxxing,” biohacking, and “how to win every day” content, can leave people more worn out instead of less.[1] This is one clinician’s view drawn from his practice. It is not a study, and we cannot say from this article how often it happens or to whom.
Optimization never lets you stop
Habit stacking, biohacking, and similar trends share one hidden idea, at least in my view: there is always another lever to pull and another 1% to gain. That can turn recovery time into more striving. When rest has to be done “right,” it stops being rest.
Lane reports that these efforts can end in exhaustion and burnout, which defeats their purpose.[1] Treat that as a reason to check your own habits, not as a proven rule.
Two different reasons to improve
A useful question is why you are trying to get better at something. Lane draws on Buddhist ideas to separate striving driven by craving, such as the wish for status, from striving driven by long-term health and betterment.[1] In my view, status-driven improvement has no finish line, because there is always a next level, while improvement aimed at feeling better can end: you feel better, and you stop adjusting.
What actually helps
Skip the new protocol. Try this instead:
- List the self-improvement habits you currently run.
- Mark any that feel like an obligation, where skipping a day makes you feel behind.
- Pause one of them for two weeks and notice what changes.
One note on terms. The World Health Organization describes burnout as an occupational phenomenon tied to chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed, and says it is not classified as a medical condition.[2] If you feel exhausted, cynical, or less effective at work, a habit audit is a fair first step. If it does not help, talk with a health professional.
References
↑︎ Source reporting: Lane P. ‘Hustle Culture’ Is Leading Us to Burnout. Psychology Today. Updated June 28, 2026. URL: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/am-i-dying/202606/how-our-culture-of-optimization-is-leading-to-burnout Opinion column by a clinician. Bettering Me has not independently verified this report.
↑︎ World Health Organization. Burn-out an “occupational phenomenon”: International Classification of Diseases. May 28, 2019. URL: https://www.who.int/news/item/28-05-2019-burn-out-an-occupational-phenomenon-international-classification-of-diseases
Kurt Greiner
Kurt is a digital strategist and IT professional blending emerging technology with practical application to help businesses and individuals streamline their digital presence. His current work focuses on the intersection of intentional living and technological resilience, exploring how individuals can leverage modern tools to navigate the second half of life with purpose.
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