The common expression for someone on the precipice of burnout is “burning the candle at both ends.”

Right now, we are living in a world where our own candles have multiple endpoints that are constantly burning because it’s demanded of us. If we’re not burning, we’re done.

This is my issue with the hyper focus on building resilience (in the workforce or our schools) and wellness initatives. We’re not so much worried anymore that the wick is aflame from every which point, but how strong the wax is to stop it from burning so much.

Maybe if we demanded less of every candle, each one would last longer while continuing to serve its purpose.