Taking a break: Navigating the pause button in lived experience work.

Last year, I made the decision to step away from lived experience and mental health work. During my decision-making process, guilt and shame was my consistent companion. My internal dialogue was a series of comments – you are too weak, or you’re just not passionate enough.

The path ahead seemed foggy, and my heart whispered that it was time for a pause—a break from the relentless cycle of compassion, empathy, and vulnerability.

It felt like leaving a part of my identity behind—the part that held space for others’ lived experience, the part that believed in resilience even when darkness loomed.

It has taken me six months to write this and reflect on the reasons behind the break.

Self-Care and Replenishment:

Compassion fatigue and burnout are common challenges for people working in mental health. Constant exposure to others’ emotional struggles can take a toll on your own well-being. Even with the stronger boundaries, I realise that I’m good at what I do (both my strength and challenge) because I feel and care deeply. That meant that my emotional battery is drained so often that I had much less energy for my family.

This break has allowed me to recharge, prioritise self-care, and address the emotional exhaustion I was experiencing.

Personal Mental Health Journey:

I often encourage people to seek help when needed. I’m proud of myself for my ability to ask for help when needed because I know that I’m not immune to challenges and struggles. This break has allowed me to explore my own mental landscape, to sit with uncertainty, my fears and hopes, and to be comfortable with the uncomfortable. ?Sometimes, mental health warriors need to step back to focus on their own mental health.

Taking time off can provide space for introspection, therapy, and healing.

Boundary Setting:

Boundaries are fragile lines we draw to protect our hearts. In the whirlwind of mental health work, those lines blur. ?Working in lived experience can be emotionally intense. Setting clear boundaries between work and personal life becomes crucial. I’m still grappling with this and am hopeful I’ll get better.

A break allows you to reassess your boundaries and establish healthier practices.

Professional Growth and Learning:

Stepping away temporarily allowed me to explore other opportunities as I’ve always had numerous interests. I’ve come to know that no matter what I do, it will always be related to something that is important to me – to be of service.

It’s also a chance for me to broaden my knowledge and potentially return with fresh perspectives.

Re-evaluation of Purpose:

Why did I choose this path? The last couple of years have been a whirlwind of continuous learning and developing lifelong connections with peers and allies.

When I was questioning whether to take a break, I was fearful and thought that many of them will frown upon my decision or rather even just the thought of taking a break. Instead, they, like true peers, supported me without judgement.

Whilst I'm taking this break, I've noticed that I've brought the lived experience way of working into everything I do.

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Reflections:

As I write this, I sit by the window, sunlight filtering through. The world outside pulses with life, and I know that my break is not a retreat but a recalibration. Soon, I’ll return (maybe or one day) —perhaps with a different role, a fresh perspective, or renewed purpose.

Remember that taking a break doesn’t mean abandoning your passion or commitment to mental health. It’s a strategic move to ensure your well-being and enhance your effectiveness when you return. ??

To my fellow mental health warriors, remember this: Taking a break doesn’t diminish your impact; it amplifies it.