I had the title, the office, and the endless to-do list that never slept. By all accounts, I was “successful.” But the truth? I was silently falling apart. I was an elementary school principal leading with heart, vision, and deep commitment to my students and staff. I was pouring everything I had into a job that kept asking for more. Every day, I showed up to support others, including my students, teachers, and families. But here’s the truth. It wasn’t just challenging. It was unsustainable. Behind the polished title and the full calendar was a woman who was exhausted, overlooked, and slowly unraveling.
