Debunking Burnout in Movies and TV: Activities

A collection of exercises to prove you're not, in fact, a burnout.

Exercise 1: The Overly-Competent Hero

1. Watch a rom-com and count how many times the protagonist says 'I'm fine'.
2. Write a script for a rom-com where the protagonist says 'I'm not fine'.

Subpages:

• Exercising Your Right to Say 'I'm Not Fine'
• Overly Competent Heroes of Despair

Exercise 2: The Protagonist's Guide to Self-Care

1. Create a character who has a 10-page monologue about their feelings.
2. Write a 5-minute scene where the character eats 5 different types of ice cream.

Exercise 3: Burnout Bingo

1. Create a bingo card with the following items: 'overworked', 'underpaid', 'coffee-stained shirt', 'burnt-out look', etc.
2. Create a character who checks off all 5 items on the card in one scene.

See also:

• Debunking Burnout in Books and Games
• Debunking Burnout in Real Life