There’s a specific kind of ache that settles in your chest when you look around and feel like everyone else got instructions for adulthood that you somehow missed. Maybe your friends are announcing promotions, engagements, babies, new homes — and you’re still trying to figure out what you actually want out of your life, or how to get unstuck without feeling like you’re endlessly starting over.

Maybe the rules that once made sense—or kept you safe—aren’t working anymore. Maybe you’re noticing that the old expectations feel heavy, constricting, or completely disconnected from who you are now. That’s not a failure. It’s a sign of growth.

Burnout isn’t just about being busy—it’s a symptom of a system that asks too much of us while giving too little in return. For women, LGBTQIA+ folks, and other marginalized communities, burnout is often fueled by the invisible labor and constant demands of living under the patriarchy. Rest isn’t just a solution; it’s an act of defiance.