Reclaiming my time

A personal reflection on burnout, boundaries, and the beauty of saying no.

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When I first stepped into private practice, self-care wasn’t even on my radar. I was laser-focused on building my caseload and making a name for myself online.

In April of 2019, a fellow provider encouraged me to begin my practice on a part-time basis. Hearing that I could start with just three hours a week—as a kind of test drive—gave me the permission I didn’t know I needed.

As my caseload began to grow, so did my hours. What started as 3 hours a week quickly became 10. Within three months, I was seeing 20 clients weekly—all while maintaining a full-time job.

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The Hustle Was Real—and Unsustainable

Over time, balancing a full-time job and a growing practice became increasingly difficult. My workweek stretched to seven days. Eventually, I took the leap and transitioned fully into private practice. I was excited—this was what I had worked so hard for.

But in that transition, something got lost. I stopped prioritizing myself.

I was seeing up to six clients a day, nearly every day. I told myself I was living the dream—finally working for myself, doing what I loved, helping others heal. And in many ways, I was.

But I had traded one kind of burnout for another.

The flexibility I had longed for started to feel like a trap. I hadn’t yet learned how to say no. I thought that because I could fill my schedule, I should.

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The Turning Point

Eventually, the signs became impossible to ignore.

I was exhausted. My creativity was dimming. My patience—something I had always prided myself on—was wearing thin. I realized I was showing up for everyone but myself.

That’s when I knew something had to change—not just in how I scheduled my day, but in how I valued my own time, energy, and emotional bandwidth.

I had to relearn boundaries—not just with clients, but with myself. I had to make space for rest, for joy, for stillness. And slowly, I began to reclaim my time.

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Reclaiming Balance

Now, I’m more intentional. I build in breaks. I protect my weekends. I remind myself that I can’t pour from an empty cup—and I don’t want to try.

Prioritizing myself isn’t selfish. It’s what allows me to continue doing this work with presence and compassion.

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This Is Your Time, Too

Whether you’re a therapist, a caretaker, or simply someone who gives a lot—

You deserve to rest.

You deserve to breathe.

You deserve to be.

Give yourself the same grace you offer others.

Protect your peace.

Reclaim your time.

You’re worth it.

Rayshaun Johnson, LPC, NCC