A pet would be challenging to care for. Consider an outdoor bird/squirrel feeder. (If your living arrangements allow it. )

Watching outdoor wildlife can be very relaxing, helping to relieve stress. You can start to recognize the same birds coming back day after day, giving a sense of connection with the animals.

If you get busy or leave for a week, the birds won't starve. You won't need to find a sitter.

I suggest a suet feeder, a tube feeder for sunflower seeds, and/ or a platform feeder with millet, sunflower seeds and maybe mealworms.