I understand the challenge of maintaining a balance between your professional and personal life. It can feel daunting, especially when your work holds such significance and passion for you. For those of us in the cultural field, our work often intertwines with our identity. After all, our dedication stems from a love for art, history, culture, and their profound significance—not necessarily (unfortunately) for the allure of financial security or career advancement.

I consider myself a recovering museum employee, sadly. Venturing out on my own stemmed from experiencing burnout in the workplace. Through a combination of personal strategies and therapy, I've found ways to continue working in the field without succumbing to resentment and frustration.

By sharing my journey and experiences, I hope to offer visibility to others navigating similar challenges. I hope the tools and methods I've used (and still use) to combat overwhelm, stress, mom-guilt, and many more of the fun things we face everyday, will assist museum staff at all levels of the organization. Additionally, I propose ways in which museums—specifically their leadership—can foster an environment where concerns are openly addressed, nurturing a resilient and supportive community—a space for collective healing.