The Hero’s Journey - Part 2. Anxiety and Burnout in Men: When Symptoms Are Signals of Change
Male anxiety and burnout are often misunderstood. This article reframes symptoms as signals of inner transition rather than weakness.
Anxiety and burnout are two of the most common reasons men seek help.
What makes them particularly difficult is that they often appear without a clear external cause.
Life may look stable from the outside — yet inside, something feels off.
A different way of understanding symptoms
Instead of asking, “What is wrong with me?”, a more useful question can be: “What is trying to change?”
Anxiety often arises when an old identity or way of functioning is under pressure.
Burnout frequently appears when effort has replaced meaning.
These symptoms are uncomfortable, but they are not random.
They are signals that your system is reorganising.
With Taostic eyes it's interesting to investigate the term ‘burn-out’:
Burn-out has obviously do with a previous excess of the Fire Element. The most Yang Element of the Five Elements. The need to perform, to shine, to excel (our favorite program… ;) )
Why pushing through makes things worse
Many men respond to symptoms by increasing control or effort.
This can work temporarily — but often deepens exhaustion and confusion over time.
Change requires orientation, not force.
Our bodies are clever. When we dont listen, they take over and provide us with what we need.
In this case it’s a burn-out. An extinguishing of the Fire, somewhat unceremoniously pushing us into a state of Yin. And likely more deeply than if we would have listened to and intervened in time.
Both Yin and Yang need to be equally present - which rarely is the case in modern society.
When symptoms are understood as messages rather than enemies, they can guide the next step instead of blocking it.
Small alterations can already shift the momentum, veering more towards ab equilibrium between the Yang and the Yin. This can be done on a personal level or in your living and working environment.
