Invisible Burdens

What do visible burdens and invisible burdens share in common? Both are burdens, both are heavy. One can be seen, one cannot. Both need support. What are the invisible burdens that you are carrying? Do they involve friends? Family? Co-workers?

The visible burden is the report that needs to be finished, the behavior problem, the survey that needs to be completed, the bills to pay. The invisible burdens could be the medical diagnosis a friend shared but asked you to keep confidential, the employee being investigated, the CPS call you need to make, the unexpected loss. These are the invisible burdens we carry, and unloading that burden can’t be done just any way.

The truth is this: burdens are heavy, and we need others to help carry our burdens—both visible and invisible. If you are in any sort of position of authority or influence, you are a carrier of burdens. Even when it is hard, you keep moving forward. But what about when it gets too hard? Pushing through and toughing it out may get you finished, but the possibility of burnout and not making it are real. Delegating it away or stopping and hiding are viable options, but one way forward is to pause. Stop. Reflect on where you are at in the journey. Reflect, and then pick your bag up and keep going.

When was the last time you paused to acknowledge the invisible burdens you’re carrying instead of just pushing through?​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​