I am a recent graduate, in the allied health professional field. I feel that I have such high expectations for myself to learn, to cope, to apply my knowledge, to maximise my efficacy for each session and for every client. I know that is not realistic, and it is making my dread going to work. I don’t want to feel this way, because I am very aware of how it is affecting my performance at work. But I don’t know what to do… How do I recharge and help myself get into better shape, for myself, people around me, and my clients/patients? And worst part is? I often feel like a hypocrite, cause I am not practising what I preach to my clients. I don’t feel happy, and I am sure my clients feel it in one way or another. I am not just not happy, I am UNhappy. What should I do?
Hey @user8815 ,
Thank you for sharing your struggles on the platform. It certainly isn’t easy to work in the allied health professional field, especially since you just joined it. I want to start off by saying how amazing it is that you’re trying to better yourself for your patients and the people around you. Not everyone has the drive to do that and just goes to show how kind you are 
Often times we place expectations on ourselves, which can be good as it motivates us to be better. But if it’s too much, it may cause more harm than good, and when we do not meet these high expectations, it can affect our mood and may make us beat ourselves up for being not good enough.
One suggestion I have is to show the kindness you show others to yourself too. Give yourself the time to adjust to working life, and let yourself know it’s normal to make mistakes, especially if you’ve recently just entered the field. If it helps, when you’re free, you can try journaling to understand why you’ve set these high expectations of yourself. It could even help you learn more about yourself! Then you can slowly adjust these expectations to more realistic ones for yourself.
With regards to your question on how to recharge yourself, you could maybe try congratulating yourself at the end of each work week, such as treating yourself to a nice meal pr watching a movie that you always wanted to watch to congratulate yourself for doing your best in the work week. Or engage in your hobbies during the weekends when you’re free. These small acts of kindness to yourself may help you feel more rejuvenated and recharged for the work week ahead.
Wishing you all the best in you work and remember that you deserve kindness too 
Hello!! Thank you so much for your kind response. I have been feeling so overwhelmed and burnt out that I just kept sleeping super early every night , and over the weekend just sleeping like almost all the time (if I have no prior engagements). I’m honestly exhausted, more mentally than physically. Despite all the rest, I don’t feel recharged. I know, I know, sleeping itself may not help us to recharge mentally. But I can’t bring myself to do anything else. Taking the first step feels so heavy…
Hey @user8815. I hear you. It’s so easy to be hard on ourselves when we’re in a job where we care so much about others. The fact that you care so much about doing your best for your clients shows how dedicated and compassionate you are, but it also means you’re putting a lot of pressure on yourself.
It’s okay to step back and give yourself permission to not be perfect. Effectiveness isn’t about flawless performance; it’s about showing up and doing your best, even on the tough days. It might help to experiment with “micro-recharges” throughout the day rather than waiting for big chunks of free time. It can make a big difference. Things like a short walk, a quick stretch, listening to a favourite song, having your favourite snacks or taking a few minutes to breathe and reset between sessions. Sometimes creating a small after-work ritual can signal to your brain that it’s time to switch from “work mode” to “recharge mode.”
You don’t have to have it all figured out at once to be a good professional. Noticing your feelings, reflecting on them, celebrating small wins, carving out tiny spaces for yourself, and being aware of what’s working and what isn’t, all of that already counts as progress. It’s a huge part of doing well in this field.
What’s one small thing you could do today just for yourself to feel a bit lighter?
Remember, caring for yourself isn’t selfish, it’s part of being able to care for others. You deserve those little moments of relief and recharge. I’m rooting for you to find ways that work for you, okay? 
Hello @user8815 thank you so much for sharing your feelings so openly. I want you to know that what you’re experiencing is deeply valid and completely understandable. It takes incredible courage and vulnerability to be this honest with yourself and others, especially when you’re carrying such heavy feelings. I see how tough this is for you, and I want to honor the strength it takes just to keep moving forward, even when it feels so hard.
Your high expectations show how much heart and commitment you bring to your work and to every person you support. That level of care is truly admirable. At the same time, it’s okay to remind yourself that you deserve that same kindness and patience. No one can be at 100% all the time. It’s perfectly human to have days where you feel drained or less than your best, and that doesn’t make you any less capable or valuable.
When you feel overwhelmed, small acts of self-care like meditation or journaling can create a gentle space to breathe, to notice the tough thoughts without judgment, and to reconnect with your strengths and the good you’re already doing.
Feeling like a hypocrite is a heavy burden to carry. Please remember that your clients see your humanity, not perfection. They don’t need you to have it all together every moment. They need your genuine presence, and that’s more than enough. Be gentle with yourself as you would with someone you deeply care about.
You are doing an incredible job in a demanding role, and your care touches many lives in ways you may not even realize. Please keep being kind to yourself, and if you ever feel overwhelmed, reaching out for support is a sign of strength, not weakness. Your wellbeing matters deeply.
Thank you again for trusting us with your truth. Your feelings are heard, they are important, and you are truly strong.
Hello @user8815 ,
Thank you for being so open with your feelings and helping us to get a better understanding of your struggles. I hear that you feel more mentally exhausted and it’s difficult to take the first step to change. It’s understandable, as taking the first step can be challenging due to the uncertainties and worry we may have when doing so.
Like @CozyCompanion & @ScribblingSunflower suggested, maybe small acts of self-care could help. For example, taking 5 minutes to meditate, journal , taking a stroll in the park or listening to your favourite song could help you feel more mentally recharged. Some of these may not work for you, and some might. You could try out these methods and find out more on online resources to see what works for you! It doesn’t have to be something big and it may not make you feel recharged completely, but small improvements are good enough Would you be open to trying some of these?
It is not selfish to care for yourself, and you deserve to have kindness and support too. Hang in there and all the best
Thank you for being so open and honest about how you are feeling. It already shows a lot of self-awareness and care for both yourself and your clients.
It is completely natural to feel overwhelmed as a recent graduate, especially when you hold yourself to such high standards. Please remember that growth takes time and it is okay not to have everything perfect right away. What matters is that you are trying, learning, and showing up. Recharging can come from small steps such as setting gentle boundaries, giving yourself permission to rest, and practicing the same compassion you encourage in your clients.
You are not a hypocrite for struggling, you are human, and your own journey can actually make you more relatable and empathetic. Reaching out for support, whether from peers, mentors, or even professional help, can also remind you that you do not have to go through this alone. Be kind to yourself, you deserve the same care you give to others.