Burnout, Passion & Pushing Through: What Keeps Me Going

Recently, I've had plenty of thoughts on burnout—what it's like, what causes it, and why we don't talk about it nearly enough. So I'm just going to be real here, not just for myself, but for anyone else who's doing everything and still trying to show up like everything's fine.

Between college, my second year serving with AmeriCorps, forensic science classes, work, and personal responsibilities, it's easy to lose sight of my own needs. I truly love what I do—especially in AmeriCorps. I've been lucky enough to serve at three different service sites within the company—two of which were at the same nonprofit.

I've grown to love the mission, the team, and the work. But nonprofit work is also a space where burnout can creep in quickly. It's emotionally charged, fast-paced, and deeply personal. That's why I make sure to keep myself recharged and renewed—stepping away when I need to, speaking openly with my supervisors and coworkers, and nurturing that genuine sense of belonging and passion that keeps me grounded.

Even before I got to college, I was chasing forensic science. Since high school, I've been on a long, winding road—studying through free online courses, in-person classes, and everything in between. There were times I couldn’t afford school, or life simply got in the way. But through it all, I never gave up on this dream.

Even now, when I’m at my limits, learning something new about forensics calms me, inspires me, and reminds me why I started. Why I continue.

But even with all the love I have for what I’m doing, I still get tired, overwhelmed, and mentally drained. And that’s okay. I’m learning that burnout does not mean failure—it means you’ve been giving a lot, and it’s time to refill your own bucket.

Here are a few things that help me when I feel stuck:

• Giving myself space to take a break—without guilt

• Reaching out to people who understand the grind

• Reminding myself that it's okay to slow down

• Celebrating the small wins (even if it's just: “I made it through today”)

If you’re in a season like this, you are not alone.
You're not lazy. You're not weak. You're a human being with a big heart—and that kind of compassion takes energy.

💛
Let’s keep showing up—for ourselves and each other.
And if you’ve found something that keeps you going when burnout hits, drop it in the comments—I’d love to hear what works for you.