Bossed Too Hard… Now I’m Tired

(A Love Letter to My Hustle and a Gentle Clapback to Burnout)

Let me be real—I bossed way too hard. And now? I’m tired.

I’m talking “answered patient messages in my sleep, graded assignments with one eye open, scheduled social media content while stirring dinner” kind of tired. Not regular tired. NOLA Care + Teaching + Life tired.

When you’re running a business like NOLA Care, providing quality, accessible healthcare in multiple states (hello, Direct Primary Care fam), while also grading late-night SOAP notes, answering student emails, supporting faculty, AND trying to live up to the expectations you set for yourself… whew. It adds up. Fast.

I’ve been in full throttle. Building community through care. Showing up for patients like they’re family. Supporting nursing students through every deadline, discussion post, and clinical meltdown. Creating content, running events, solving problems, inspiring futures. Doing all the things—because I love all the things.

But here’s the catch: Even when you love it, too much of everything still catches up to you. I went from energized entrepreneur and passionate professor to just trying to remember if I ate lunch today.

So I’m giving myself permission to say it: I bossed too hard. And now I need a break.

At NOLA Care, I tell my patients all the time: Your health matters. Your mental clarity matters. You can’t pour from an empty cup.

So why is it so hard to tell myself the same?

Here’s what I’m learning (slowly but surely):

  • Rest is part of the work.
  • Boundaries are a form of self-respect.
  • Saying “not today” doesn't make you any less of a boss—it makes you a wiser one.

Whether you're balancing patients, papers, policies, or parenting—it’s okay to step back and take care of you. For me, that looks like turning off the phone, letting the inbox sit untouched for a moment, and finding peace in doing absolutely nothing.

So, from your favorite FNP/professor/clinic owner/wife/mama—I’m pausing to recharge.

And when I return, I’ll still be a boss. Just one with better sleep, less stress, and maybe even a full water bottle.

Let this be your sign, too: If you’re tired, it’s okay. Rest is part of resilience.

Signed Ashley, Your Family Nurse Practitioner