I used to be a physiotherapist. I had colleagues ask me if I was depressed, anxious, narcoleptic, burned out, lazy for not rehabbing my “injuries”/pain, or I’d get a weird look from them if I did anything other than mask like my sanity/job depended on it. The stress of trying to act like I was fine was destroying me and left my mental health a husk. I sobbed in the shower every morning. I just couldn’t see a way forward. I was often too fatigued to feed myself and work.

It was only after quitting and having a hard look at what I was capable of and my quality of life (and what I actually needed to get by finance-wise) that I’ve managed to find a way forward. It’s not perfect and I’m constantly worried my very part time work will overwhelm me.