When Hope Felt Like Too Much
I’ve got to be honest — there was a time when I didn’t want to do Hope Magazine anymore. I was tired. Exhausted. I felt like Hope, the very thing I had poured my heart and soul into, had become this heavy weight I could no longer carry.
There were days when the passion I once had felt completely drained. I started asking myself if I was even making a difference anymore. Was all this sacrifice worth it? Was I? The stress, the financial strain, the endless pushing to make something out of nothing — it had taken its toll. I was worn out from the hustle, from constantly fighting to keep the dream alive.
I found myself asking, “What happens when the person who built Hope runs out of hope?"
I had reached my breaking point. The work I once loved felt like a burden, and I just didn’t have it in me anymore. I questioned everything — my purpose, my journey, even my desire to keep going. I had poured so much of myself into this vision that I forgot to save anything for me. And it left me empty.
But here’s the thing I realized: sometimes, we grow tired of our calling not because it’s not meant for us, but because we haven’t been taking care of ourselves. I was running on fumes, giving everything to everyone and leaving nothing for myself. That’s why I was exhausted. It wasn’t the work itself — it was that I had neglected me in the process.
Hope wasn’t the problem. I was.
I hadn’t allowed myself to rest, to pause, to reflect. I had been so focused on pushing forward I forgot that even visionaries need a break. When I finally stopped and took time to replenish my spirit, I realized something profound: Hope is still needed. The mission, the vision — it’s still important. But I needed to approach it differently, with more grace and care for myself.
Here’s What I Learned:
Rest is Part of the Journey
You can’t keep pouring from an empty cup. It’s okay to step back, to rest, and to breathe. You don’t have to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. Sometimes, taking a break is exactly what you need to come back stronger.
It’s Okay to Feel Tired
Passion doesn’t mean you’ll never feel tired. It’s natural to get exhausted when you’ve been pushing for so long. But tired doesn’t mean you’re done. It just means it’s time to reassess how you’re taking care of yourself along the way.
You Are Still Needed
Even when you feel like giving up, remember that the world still needs your gifts, your voice, and your vision. But before you give to others, make sure you’re giving to yourself. You deserve the same love and care that you offer to the world.
Reignite Your Why
When you’re feeling lost, go back to your “why.” Why did you start this journey in the first place? Reconnecting with that core reason will help remind you of your purpose and reignite the passion that might feel dim right now.
Surround Yourself with Support
You don’t have to do this alone. Lean on the people who support you, who remind you of your worth when you forget. Having a strong support system can make all the difference when you feel like giving up.
There was a time when I didn’t want to keep pushing Hope forward, but after stepping back and giving myself the space to heal, I realized that Hope still has so much to offer — to me and to the world. Sometimes, the exhaustion is a sign that you need to change how you’re moving forward, not that you should stop altogether.
If you’re feeling like you’ve reached your limit, I want to remind you: it’s okay to pause. It’s okay to take a break and find your center again. Hope isn’t lost, and neither are you. Take care of yourself first, and you’ll find that the strength to carry on is still there — just waiting for you to breathe it back to life.