Growing up, I was the “gifted kid.” I started in 4th grade I think when I was placed in a high achieving math class, and I felt special. As I got older I thrived on being involved—student leadership, sports, clubs, and any other activity I could join in—you name it. I was always busy, always achieving. Every accomplishment felt like a stamp of approval. It wasn’t just about success; it was about proving I was enough.
By 20, I was juggling four jobs; 2 more than 30 hours a week, working in 2 social media jobs. Not because I needed the money, but because I didn’t know who I was without the hustle. If I wasn’t overloaded, I felt like I wasn’t doing enough.
That pace wasn’t sustainable. I crashed—I was sick, tired and anxious all the time. But instead of slowing down, I’d just promise to “manage better next time.”
Then there were the signs I couldn’t ignore. Like losing my voice—literally. In high school, I was a cheerleader and choir kid, and our biggest performances always fell in the same week. Without fail, my voice would vanish and still I would push on, drink tea and not talk unless I was at one of those things. As an adult and a public speaker, the same thing happened. During burnout, my voice would disappear. My body was clearly saying, “ if you won’t slow down we will make you”
What Recovery Really Looks Like
Recovery didn’t come with a dramatic shift. It came in the form of quiet, persistent choices:
- Saying no I don’t think I can make that happen —even when it made me feel guilty.
- Resting or staying home —not because I earned it, but because I needed it.
- Letting “good enough” be enough.
- Staying home when I am tired
- Learning that I’m not a machine—I’m a human.
It’s still a process. Some days I slip into old habits. I dedicate everything I have to some things but I have to pause and wait and decide if this is worth me being stretched too thin.
A Gentle Reminder
You don’t need to prove your worth by running yourself into the ground. You don’t have to hustle to be valuable.You don’t have to constantly chase success, just chase what makes you happy.
If you’ve ever felt like your identity is tied to your output, this is your reminder: you’re allowed to rest. Not because you’ve earned it. Because you need it—and you deserve it.
– Sienna Calcote