Rekindling with Julie Squires:

I believe social media should come with a warning similar to what alcohol and cigarettes do. CAUTION: Engaging with this could be harmful to your mental health. Especially when we are already feeling vulnerable due to burnout and compassion fatigue that comes with your work of helping animals.

In this age of hustle culture, overwhelm and anxiety, it's no wonder we're burning out in record numbers. We've equated being "productive" with success. I've got news for you, the two have nothing to do with each other!

Guilt is an emotion that is no stranger to animal workers. Those that work to improve the lives of animals can be exceptionally hard on themselves and often find themselves wrestling with feelings of guilt. And guilt can be one of those emotions that we need some strategies to help loosen it's grip on our psyche.

In a culture that for women glorifies perfection, it can feel unnerving to consider that our actions or ourselves could be "good enough". For most women (and some men) that is an impossible concept to make peace with as they constantly beat themselves up to do better and better.

We often use the terms emotional and mental health interchangeably but they are actually different. They can influence and impact each other but understanding the difference can allow you to seek the appropriate type of support and resources based on your specific needs.

I'm an introvert. I love being by myself but too much of anything isn't good, including alone time. We need community. We need each other. We need to feel safe with others that we feel connected to and a part of.