Burnout is a pervasive issue impacting various industries, but it’s especially prevalent in social media management. In a recent episode of “McFarland Minutes,” hosts Natalie McFarland and Scout Foster dive deep into this crucial topic. With a nuanced discussion touching on personal experiences, data from industry surveys, and potential solutions, this conversation provides valuable insights for anyone in the marketing field or beyond.

Burnout isn’t exclusive to any particular field, but it presents unique challenges for social media managers. Natalie and Scout highlight how the demands of the role often involve wearing multiple hats—acting as graphic designers, writers, videographers, and more—leading to rapid burnout rates. Being the last to create and the first to get blamed, social media managers frequently find themselves in high-pressure situations without enough time for strategic thinking.

Scout shares her findings from a survey conducted for her master’s project, which reveals that many social media managers feel underappreciated or misunderstood by leadership. While they report having supportive coworkers and at least neutral company culture, the disconnect between leadership’s understanding and respect for their work contributes significantly to burnout. Social media management is often misunderstood as simple content posting, leading to unrealistic expectations and increased stress.

Scout reflects on her career path, from starting in social media right out of high school to feeling the weight of burnout after years in the field. She discusses her passion for communications and the simultaneous realization that a change was necessary to preserve her well-being. This narrative is intertwined with anecdotes from her personal life, illustrating how burnout transcends work and affects overall lifestyle.

Natalie and Scout emphasize the importance of finding balance. The hustle should have moments of rest and reflection. They share personal strategies to mitigate burnout, such as setting strict boundaries with work communications outside office hours, turning off notifications, and ensuring personal interests and well-being aren’t neglected. Scout has even found relief in having a separate office space to clearly delineate work from personal life.
Both hosts advocate for systemic changes within companies to address burnout—encouraging respect for individuals’ workloads and supporting a culture that doesn’t thrive on emergencies. They reiterate that understanding, respect, and boundaries are key to creating workplaces where people feel valued and motivated.

Burnout remains a complex issue without a one-size-fits-all solution. As discussed on “McFarland Minutes,” overcoming it requires commitment from both individuals and organizations. Companies should create environments that support recovery from burnout while allowing employees the freedom to establish personal boundaries. Meanwhile, individuals must take proactive steps in balancing their work and personal lives, ensuring that they preserve the passion that originally drew them to their fields.

If you have suggestions or experiences regarding burnout, Natalie and Scout invite you to share them. Together, a supportive community can be built to tackle burnout effectively.

Join us next week for another episode of “McFarland Minutes,” your soft launch to Monday!