12/02/2025
3 years. It’s hard to believe it’s been that long. That part of my career has felt like another lifetime ago. It was around this time 3 years ago that I ended 15 years in healthcare. I was at peak burnout, although I don’t think I knew just how bad it was. It’s only now I am out of it that I can fully appreciate the complexities of what I was facing. Healthcare can chew you up and spit you out, much like most frontline professions. There is a human cost to the roles, how can there not be, we are serving other human beings. However, it wasn’t this that pushed me to my limits, it was the “system” and the lack of sound leadership. I have spent time since I’ve left my role in the “system” reflecting, and something that I have recently come to is how thankful I am for the experience. I’m not saying I am glad to have gone through the depths of burnout hell, but I’m saying that I am glad that I was shown everything I never want to be. I aspire to lead with compassion, understanding, empathy, non judgement and clear communication. This has fuelled my work here at Frontline. I am so grateful that I have created my own “system” that can hold space for those still in the “system”. I hold space for those like me just 3 years ago, and this is a privilege that I don’t take lightly. I miss my fellow colleagues who I worked with over the 15 years, I was lucky to have worked with some of the best people. I appreciate the work they continue to do each day. I share this each year to serve as a reminder to myself and to others that it is ok to pause, reflect and recalibrate. In my experience this was an entire career shift, but maybe for you it’s just allowing yourself the time to heal. If you are experiencing burn out it isn’t because you “can’t hack it anymore”, it’s your nervous system calling you to something. You deserve the space and time to move through this🩵. Thank you to ALL those who continue to serve that frontline, we need you.
