This year, I had the privilege of attending my first conference of the year—and let me tell you, I needed it. I needed the reminder of why I do this work. I needed to reconnect with my community, and most importantly, I needed to have honest conversations with myself about why I started this journey in the first place.
The past year has been a tough one. I've fought depression, teetered on the edge of burnout, and even found myself in the deepest part of it. The weight of it all nearly pulled me under. So when one of the sessions during the youth summit focused on burnout, it felt like it was created just for me. I learned invaluable lessons—how to notice when you're heading toward burnout, how to prevent it, and, crucially, how to recover from it when it hits.
Being in a room full of passionate, like-minded individuals who share my purpose felt like a breath of fresh air. I saw many familiar faces—peers from previous conferences—but I also had the chance to meet so many new people. It was a reminder of why community is everything to me. And it wasn't just the gathering of people that gave me life; it was being surrounded by a group of young, driven individuals whose passion for this work reignited the fire in me. Their energy reminded me that I'm not alone in this fight, and there's so much more work to be done.
I learned invaluable lessons—how to notice when you're heading toward burnout, how to prevent it, and, crucially, how to recover from it when it hits.
This summit was more than just a learning experience; it was a wake-up call. It reminded me that I'm not allowed to give up, no matter how tough it gets. My purpose and my story aren't just for me—they are for the countless others who need to hear it, to feel seen, to be uplifted. I've recommitted to showing up, creating content, writing blogs, making TikToks, and uploading vlogs—not just because I need it, but because my community needs it too. What do I look like letting burnout—or the devil—win?
I'm coming back stronger than ever, and I can't wait to continue this work. It's time to put my hat back in the ring because I know, deep down, that this is my calling.
