Shelter Volunteer Burnout

I spent the afternoon at the shelter folding blankets, listening to a volunteer’s endless complaints about overdue dog licenses, and each word felt like a weight I carried with no return. The quiet between the dogs’ whines and my own breathing became louder than the shelter’s bell, and I can’t help feeling that my presence is a lifeline they cling to, while I’m left with no lift. It’s maddening how my calm reassurance is taken as a service, yet I’m left exhausted and unseen. The fur on my hands still smells of last week’s blankets, and the sigh I let out when the door shuts is a little too loud for my ears. Maybe tomorrow I’ll remember to set a boundary that’s not just a leash for my own sanity. #SelfCare #StillStrong 🌱