In healthcare, burnout isn’t just common—it’s often expected and glorified. Long hours, chronic understaffing, and a culture that equates self-sacrifice with dedication leave many clinicians running on empty. But what if you could stay in the work without abandoning yourself? This post explores how to recognize the hidden culture of self-neglect in medicine, why it persists, and what it takes to opt out—without walking away from the profession you care about.

Ever catch yourself thinking “I shouldn’t complain” or “Other people have it worse”? It sounds like perspective—but often, it’s self-invalidation in disguise. Your pain doesn’t have to be the worst to be real. In this post, we explore where this habit comes from, how it harms us, and what it looks like to honor your own emotions without guilt or comparison.

If you’re someone who gives a lot—to your clients, patients, loved ones—you might find self-compassion foreign or even uncomfortable. You’re quick to extend kindness to others, but when it comes to yourself? The bar is higher, the tone harsher, and the expectations heavier.