For nearly ten years, I had the privilege of working as a hospice social worker. I loved my work, the patients and families I supported, and the meaningful connections that came with my role. It was more than a career. It had become an important part of my identity.
What I didn’t fully recognize at the time was how easily the boundaries between caring for others and caring for myself had blurred.
Like many women in helping professions, I had become so invested in my work that my own well-being gradually took a back seat. Over time, the emotional, physical, and spiritual demands of my role contributed to burnout. This led me to reevaluate everything.
When Burnout Becomes More Than Exhaustion
Burnout is more than feeling tired after a demanding week. It is a response to chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It can leave us feeling emotionally depleted, disconnected from our work, and questioning our sense of purpose.
When our identity becomes closely tied to what we do for others, burnout can also affect how we see ourselves. Who are we when we step away from the roles that have defined us?
For me, recognizing burnout meant making the difficult decision to leave a career I deeply valued and loved. It also created an opportunity to reflect on my own needs, establish healthier boundaries, priorities and reconsider what I wanted my professional and personal life to look like.
Finding Purpose Through Change
That period of reflection helped shape the vision for Holding Space Therapy.
I wanted to create a practice where women could feel seen, supported, and understood as they navigate burnout, anxiety, changing identities and life’s transitions.
Many women spend years balancing careers, relationships, caregiving and the expectations they place on themselves. Somewhere along the way, their own needs can become secondary. Establishing healthy boundaries is a personal choice and responsibility.
I understand how challenging it can be to recognize that something needs to change, especially when the life you’ve built has also brought meaning and fulfillment. During burnout we are at our most vulnerable. It takes bravery, perseverance and strength.
Making Space for Yourself
Recovering from burnout isn’t simply about getting more rest. It may involve reassessing boundaries, reconnecting with personal values, and rediscovering parts of ourselves that have been overshadowed by our responsibilities.
Sometimes, the most meaningful changes begin when we give ourselves permission to ask: What do I need? What matters to me? And my favorite question, what do I want this next chapter of my life to look like?
At Holding Space Therapy, my hope is to offer women a supportive place to explore those questions, reconnect with themselves and move forward with greater clarity and self-compassion. Caring for yourself deserves the same attention and compassion you so freely offer others. 💛