Tells about the fatigue symptoms
Updated 18.01 | Published 17.07
Too much work in too little time.
In the end, Axel Schylström reached his limit.
– It’s scary that the body really physically gives up and stops working as it should, says Schylström.
The artist Axel Schylström33, describes himself as a workaholic. Someone who is used to having a lot of balls in the air and taking on a lot at the same time.
But after an intense spring, he was part of something he had not experienced before. He developed symptoms of exhaustion.
Suddenly it was hard to get out of bed, he got recurring migraines and a pressure on his chest.
– I have never felt any warning signs. So I didn’t really know where the line was before, says Schylström.
During the spring, he made over 30 performances around Sweden, arranged a Sweden tour and wrote and produced an album. On his Instagram, he describes it as several years of work compressed into a few months.
Performance anxiety grew
Even before the physical symptoms appeared, the artist felt that he had taken on too much. But with a busy calendar and an unwillingness to say no, he saw no other way out than to “run the ropes”.
But the energy was not enough.
– Some things I felt I had to bring half my heart into, says Schylström and continues:
– And that also entails some kind of performance anxiety. Hell, I should have had time to put more energy and love into this, he says.
At the same time, the physical symptoms became increasingly noticeable.
– It was like every other day that I got such a headache that I almost had to throw up.
“Must keep a watchful eye on this”
The turning point came when Schylström realized that the intense period had come to an end. By reminding himself that the holiday was around the corner, he managed to get through the tough spring.
Today he feels much better and says that the recovery was relatively quick.
– It probably has something to do with the fact that I never made it all the way into the wall or whatever. But just sniffed it. Which was very lucky.
Now awaits a free summer and a parental leave in the autumn with full focus on recovery and things that make him feel good, such as exercise and quality time with the children.
The experience has also given him an important insight: that he doesn’t have to accept everything just because he has a job he loves.
– It is clear that I feel that I have to keep a watchful eye on this, both in the short and long term. But it still feels very good now, he says.
Axel Schylström is a Swedish artist and songwriter who had his breakthrough in “Idol” in 2015. He has also participated in Melodifestivalen in 2017 and 2023.
