This past week has been rough.

I’ve been sick—coughing, flu, exhausted. No matter how much I rest, I’m not getting better.

And honestly? It’s frustrating.

Because when you run your own business, coach people, and have a family to care for, stopping feels impossible. There’s always something to do. Someone who needs you. A message to respond to.

But my body had other plans.

So this week, I was forced to take a step back.

To rest. To reflect. To recharge.

And it hit me:

You can’t help others if you don’t take care of yourself first.

It sounds obvious, but I see this all the time—especially in UX professionals who are job hunting.

They push themselves non-stop.

Applying to hundreds of jobs.

Perfecting their portfolio late into the night.

Stressing over interviews, rejections, and “not hearing back.”

Until they burn out.

Then suddenly, they can’t show up as their best selves in interviews.

They start doubting themselves.

They stop believing in their own skills.

I get it because I do the same thing.

But here’s what I’m reminding myself (and you) today:

👉 Rest isn’t a reward. It’s a requirement.

👉 Burnout won’t get you hired faster. Clarity will.

👉 You do better work when you take care of yourself first.

So if you’re feeling exhausted, maybe the next step isn’t sending 10 more applications. Maybe it’s pausing. Reflecting. Taking a deep breath.

The job will come. The opportunity will come.

But only if you have the energy to pursue it.

Take care of yourself first. Everything else can wait.