Exhaustion is not a status symbol is a powerful wake-up call from Brene Brown, flipping our entire cultural script on burnout. It’s that moment you realize being busy isn’t a badge of honor, it’s a red flag. This idea completely reframes how we think about success and self-worth.
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Meaning
At its core, this quote means that being chronically tired and overworked should not be worn as a medal of honor or a sign of your importance.
Explanation
Let’s be real. We’ve all been there. You’re in a meeting and someone says, “I’m so swamped, I only got four hours of sleep,” and there’s this… unspoken competition. We’ve been culturally conditioned to believe that exhaustion equals productivity, which equals value. But here’s the thing I’ve seen, over and over, working with clients and in my own life: that’s a lie. A dangerous one. When we wear our tiredness like a badge, we’re not signaling our success; we’re signaling a disconnect from our own well-being. We’re essentially saying, “Look how little I respect my own limits.” It’s a trap. And breaking free from that starts with calling it out for what it is: a status symbol we need to retire. For good.
Quote Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | English (4111) |
| Category | Career (230) |
| Topics | status (4) |
| Literary Style | pithy (40) |
| Overall Quote Score | 75 (130) |
Origin & Factcheck
This quote comes directly from Brené Brown’s 2010 book, The Gifts of Imperfection, published in the United States. It’s a cornerstone of her research on wholehearted living. You won’t find it mistakenly attributed to other authors; it’s pure, unfiltered Brené.
Attribution Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Author | Brene Brown (257) |
| Source Type | Book (4624) |
| Source/Book Name | The Gifts of Imperfection (46) |
| Origin Timeperiod | 21st Century (1995) |
| Original Language | English (4111) |
| Authenticity | Verified (4624) |
Author Bio
Dr Brene Brown is the author of books such as Daring Greatly and The Power of Vulnerability. The TED talk and Netflix production based on her research reached out to millions of audience. She researches effects of courage and vulnerability in shaping people's work and relationships. She leads the Brené Brown Education and Research Group and provides evidence-based insights into practical tools to help people train themselves
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Where is this quotation located?
| Quotation | Exhaustion is not a status symbol |
| Book Details | Publication Year/Date: 2010; ISBN/Unique Identifier: 9781592858491; Last edition. Number of pages. |
| Where is it? | Approximate page from 2010 Hazelden edition |