Counting Down the Days Doesn’t Mean You Don’t Care: When Teaching Feels Too Heavy
You love parts of your job — the small moments, the connection, the sense of purpose it can bring.
But lately, you’ve been counting down the days until the weekend or the next school break, and that brings a quiet wave of guilt.
You might wonder, “If I really cared, would I feel like this?”
But feeling tired or wanting space doesn’t mean you’ve stopped caring.
It often means you’ve been giving your energy — and your heart — for a long time without much left for yourself.
When Caring Becomes Heavy
Many teachers describe feeling like they’re holding the emotional weight of everyone around them — students, colleagues, even friends.
They’re the ones people rely on: the calm one, the capable one, the one who keeps things running.
Over time, that kind of quiet over-functioning can blur the line between who you are and what you do for others.
You still show up — smiling, organised, making sure things get done — but there’s a small voice inside that whispers what you really need.
Rest. Honesty. A moment to stop pretending everything’s fine.
Burnout doesn’t always look like falling apart. Sometimes it looks like being so composed that no one notices how much effort it takes.
The Fear Beneath the Fatigue
When teachers talk about burnout, guilt often sits quietly beside it.
You might catch yourself thinking:
“I want to slow down, but I’m scared people will think I’ve stopped caring.”
“I’m so stuck — I need rest, but I don’t know how to make space for it.”
That fear of not fitting in or being seen as “less capable” can keep you saying yes when you’re already running on empty.
And underneath that fear is often a quiet wish — to be seen as you really are, and respected without having to prove yourself first.
It’s not about wanting to walk away from everything. It’s about wanting to stop performing and still feel accepted.
Making Space for Yourself
Resting doesn’t mean you’ve given up — it means you’re finding your way back.
Sometimes that starts with one small act of permission: saying no to an extra duty, taking five quiet minutes before heading home, or letting a message wait until tomorrow. Think of it like tending a plant that’s become overgrown. Pruning isn’t about cutting back what’s good — it’s about helping what’s underneath breathe again.
Therapy can offer that kind of space — somewhere you don’t have to explain or prove anything.
Just a calm, grounded place to listen to the quieter parts of yourself that have been asking for rest.
You’re Allowed to Be Tired
Counting down the days doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It means you’re human — and you’ve been holding more than most people can see. You deserve rest that isn’t earned through exhaustion, and connection that doesn’t depend on being the strong one.
If you’re a teacher in the UK who’s quietly running on empty, you don’t have to keep holding it all alone Therapy can be a space to rest, unpack what’s been too heavy, and start to feel more like yourself again. Get in Touch!