The truth is, I became incredibly good at carrying things. Responsibilities. Expectations. Workloads. Commitments. Stress. Pain. I could smile, show up, help people, solve problems, and keep moving long after most people would've tapped out. Somewhere along the way, I started wearing that ability like a badge of honor.

Burnout doesn’t always announce itself with flashing lights and a dramatic collapse. Sometimes it arrives quietly. As a heaviness you can’t quite shake. As motivation that used to be automatic, now requiring effort. As a sense that even the things you love feel… louder than they used to.