When the Load Feels Heavy: Who’s In Your Support System?

It’s been a rough few weeks for me—and for many in my network.

You can feel it in the tone of emails, the pauses between messages, the deep sighs that linger after meetings, and the tighter embraces. Some weeks remind us that beneath all the titles, tasks, and timelines, we’re still human.

There’s a phrase I often return to: everyone you meet is going through something. It’s simple but sobering. The colleague who spoke just a little too harshly may be carrying grief. The friend who’s been unusually quiet might be fighting a private battle. And the person who always seems unbothered could be holding it all together by a single thread.

That reminder calls us to be kind—not only in word, but in presence. Sometimes kindness is silence instead of advice. Sometimes it’s a text that says, thinking of you, or the grace to let someone step back without guilt.

But the past few weeks also raised another truth for me: kindness can’t only flow outward. At some point, we have to ask—who pours into you?

When your load is heavy, who can you call and say, “I’m not okay today”? Who can remind you of your strength without dismissing your exhaustion? Who can pray with you, laugh with you, or simply sit in the quiet with you until your spirit steadies again?

Support systems are more than safety nets. They’re circles of restoration—the people who know when to step in and when to let you rest. Some are family members. Some are close friends. Some are trusted mentors, faith leaders, or colleagues who’ve walked through similar storms.

If you’re reading this and realizing your circle has grown thin, don’t let that discourage you. Start where you are. Reach out. Reconnect. Community doesn’t always announce itself; sometimes you simply have to build it, one conversation or genuine connection at a time.

And even if your cup happens to be full right now, please look around. Someone near you is weary. Be the one who offers an encouraging word, a listening ear, or a moment of grace.

Because kindness isn’t just about being polite—it’s about being present and authentic. Reaching across physical, and sometimes emotional, distances.

So, here’s your reminder for the month:

• Check on your strong friends. They often forget they’re allowed to need help.

• Give yourself permission to rest. You’re not behind; you’re human.

• Let kindness be your default. You never know whose load you might be lessening.

We are all carrying something. But together, we can carry it a little easier.

With gratitude,

Dr. Melanie