You have to do it, but you don’t have to do it alone

We Keep Running—and Lose Something Along the Way

You think: just hold on a little longer. Just finish this one thing, work a little more, and then I can rest. Meanwhile, it becomes harder to see things clearly. You get irritated more quickly, collaboration suffers, and doubts creep in. You pull back more, question yourself more, and your sleep worsens.

Clumsy Adjustments Make Things Worse

Everyone gets out of balance sometimes—how and how quickly depends on the person and the situation. Sometimes you can handle a lot. Other times, almost nothing. Hard work can be enjoyable and energizing, but add a home renovation or caregiving responsibilities, and you can slowly start to unravel.

And most of the time, you only realize it in hindsight.

In the moment, it’s easy to miss the signals and unknowingly make clumsy adjustments: working even harder, staying up late to binge-watch shows instead of exercising or meeting friends. Gradually, you become even more unbalanced.

Adjusting Before the Elastic Snaps

When you’re out of balance, it can be hard to correct course on your own. You get stuck in your own narrative and your own “solutions.” That doesn’t necessarily mean you need a full program with a coach or psychologist—but a good conversation with a professional might give you just the nudge you need to get back on track. To take a moment to pause, reflect on what’s happening, and decide what you can and want to do about it.

What You Can Do as a Leader or Colleague

You don’t have to fix it. But you can create space for a conversation before someone completely unravels. Pay attention to subtle signals: someone becoming quieter or sharper than usual, still doing what’s required but showing no real enthusiasm for anything. Ask about it, and work together to build an organization where reflection, seeking help, and making good adjustments are the norm.

An organization where work isn’t just “bearable,” but actually contributes to our mental well-being.