Lately, I’ve been thinking about what we get used to.

Not because it’s healthy—but because it’s familiar.

We get used to carrying heavy caseloads. We get used to interrupted lunches, difficult conversations, staffing shortages, and constant change. We get used to answering “How are you?” with “I’m fine,” even when we’re running on empty.

Over time, what once felt overwhelming simply starts to feel… normal.

And that’s what concerns me.

When stress becomes familiar, we stop questioning it. We begin to believe that feeling emotionally exhausted is just part of doing meaningful work. We tell ourselves we’ll slow down after this project, after this crisis, after things settle down.

But what if they never do?

One of the questions I asked during my keynote at Staunton Farm Foundation’s Pause with Purpose provider conference was this:

What have you gotten used to that deserves another look?

Not every challenge can be eliminated. The work we do will always ask something of us. But there is a difference between doing demanding work and believing we must sacrifice ourselves to do it well.

It was meaningful to spend time with providers as we explored practical ways to recognize compassion fatigue, navigate stress more intentionally, and find healthier, more sustainable ways to carry the work.

My hope is that the conversations from Pause with Purpose continue long after the event—that we each take a closer look at what we’ve gotten used to, what may be weighing on us, and what we can do differently to protect our own well-being while continuing to support others.

Because sometimes, the first step toward change is simply pausing long enough to notice what has become normal.

Sharice