You’re Not Lazy… You’re Overextended
Hey girl, come sit with me for a second…
We talk a lot about burnout.
Caseloads. Documentation. Emotional load.
But we don’t talk enough about what it feels like
to carry everyone else’s nervous system in your body
all week long.
Sitting for hours.
Holding space.
Staying regulated when someone else is not.
And then wondering why your body feels tight, heavy, or exhausted
even when your mind says, “I’m fine.”
You didn’t just listen this week.
Your body absorbed, adjusted, and stabilized over and over again.
That’s work.
So this Friday…
this is your reminder:
You don’t have to process anyone else tonight.
You don’t have to be “on.”
You don’t have to push through one more thing.
Let your body come down.
Unclench your jaw.
Drop your shoulders.
Step out of therapist mode.
Because you are not just a container for other people’s lives.
You are a person with a body that needs care too.
Rest is not avoidance.
It’s repair.
Dee Bloomingmoore 🌺
#wellnesshabits #wellness #careeradvice #mentalhealthawareness
As someone who has often felt overwhelmed yet hesitant to label myself as 'lazy,' I deeply resonate with the feeling of being overextended. Carrying not just my responsibilities but also the emotional weight of others—whether as a therapist, caregiver, or simply a compassionate friend—can make it hard to distinguish between physical tiredness and emotional burnout. One thing I’ve learned is how critical it is to consciously give myself permission to rest—not as an escape, but as a vital form of repair. The concept of "holding space" can be draining; it involves staying regulated even when others around you are struggling. This emotional labor accumulates, leaving your body feeling tight or heavy even when your mind insists it’s "fine." From personal experience, I found simple practices transformational: unclenching my jaw, dropping my shoulders, and intentionally stepping out of "therapist mode" at the end of the day. It’s amazing how just noticing and relaxing these small tension points can make a significant difference. I've also embraced the idea of rest before productivity, as the OCR text on Friday Rest highlights: "Give yourself permission to feel what you feel, rest before you move, seek comfort, not productivity." This mantra has helped me shift from feeling guilty about downtime to appreciating it as essential self-care. Remember, you are not a container for everyone else’s life. Your body deserves care and your mind needs breaks. Learning to set boundaries and integrate gentle self-compassion routines into daily life can gradually reduce the overwhelming sense of carrying everyone else's nervous system. Rest is not avoidance—it’s an act of courage and repair that empowers you to show up fully when you return. If you feel this way, know you’re not alone, and prioritizing your well-being is the most compassionate gift you can give yourself and those around you.