Finding Balance in Cooking: Burnt Out but Still Serving
When the Weight of It All Hits Home
You don’t have to wear a uniform to carry the invisible wounds of service.
Some of us serve in silence. Some of us carry burdens we never signed up for. And some of us break before we ever get the chance to breathe.
Many people are left feeling burnt out from the pressures of life, yet they continue to serve those around them while finding balance in simple activities.
In May 2022, I lost my Director title with Tupperware. I watched the team I had poured into begin to fade, one by one. And while no one saluted me, I knew I had crossed a battlefield of my own.
In March 2023, I walked away from a corporate job at AutoZone ~ not because I didn’t care, but because I cared too much. My body was there, but my spirit had been broken for months. As I aged, so did my strength and stamina. Unable to perform duties as I once did deeply concerned me.
Finding balance is essential for maintaining our mental and emotional health. As I navigated this personal battlefield, I couldn’t shake the feeling of being burnt out while still trying to support my team as their store manager.
It wasn’t until I found myself crying over an onion that I realized I was tired of everything hurting ~ especially in my own kitchen.
June Is PTSD Awareness Month
For many, PTSD is a war wound. For others, it’s the silent scar of betrayal, burnout, caregiving, or chronic stress.
This month, we recognize veterans, caregivers, first responders, and even the everyday warriors who are surviving behind smiles.
And for those of us who don’t always have the words, the kitchen becomes the place we sort things out.
Or at least try to.
But when the world feels too heavy, even grocery shopping feels impossible.
That’s when I lean on three things:
1. SuperSonic Chopper: Because Crying Isn’t Always About the Onion
Some days I don’t want to chop, I want to scream.
But I’ve found a certain release in that pull cord.
When you’ve got some steam to let off ~ pull.
When your mind’s racing but your hands need a job ~ pull.
When you’re out of tears but still have a meal to make ~ pull.
It’s fast, efficient, and somehow therapeutic.
Not to mention, it keeps me from adding “cut finger” to my emotional resume.
PTSD Tip: Give your hands something to do that doesn’t involve your phone or tears. Chop veggies, herbs, or nuts. It’s not about the food ~ it’s about moving through it.
2. Big T Tumblers: Comfort in a Cup
Sometimes all I need is a hot cup of coffee to feel okay again.
The Big T tumbler has become my kitchen sidekick.
It doesn’t judge how many cups I’ve had.
It doesn’t spill when I’m pacing.
And it keeps my brew warm while I figure out what’s next.
Whether it’s a double espresso or just some chamomile to slow my breathing, I hold onto that tumbler like it’s a handrail.
PTSD Tip: Create rituals of comfort. A warm drink can be a reset button ~ especially when the day starts out heavy.
3. FridgeSmart: Because Grocery Store Guilt Is Real
There are weeks I just don’t have it in me to plan a full grocery run.
It’s not laziness. It’s mental fatigue.
PTSD has a way of making even basic tasks feel like Mount Everest.
That’s why I started prepping my fridge to work for me, not against me.
With FridgeSmart containers, I can keep fresh produce alive longer ~ even if I skip a shopping trip or two.
I may not be able to control the chaos, but I can outsmart spoilage.
PTSD Tip: Set yourself up with tools that give you permission to not be perfect. FridgeSmart is like a built-in backup plan.
To the Veterans: We See You 🫡
You fought for freedom. But some days, your mind still feels like a war zone.
If that’s you ~ please know that your service matters. Your healing matters. And even if your battle is now internal, you are still worthy of peace, routine, and rest.
You don’t have to power through every day.
You can lean on time savers. You can build slow routines.
And yes, you can find healing in a coffee cup, a chopped onion, or a leftover that didn’t go bad because you made a plan.
To the Rest of Us: Let’s Talk About It
If PTSD is a part of your life ~ whether as a survivor, caregiver, or friend ~ don’t wait for a “better time” to share your story.
This post is mine.
And my healing? It started when I stopped pretending I could do it all.
💬 There’s a Seat Waiting for You
If this post hit home, I invite you to join my Silent Service Club.
It’s a quiet little space I created for those who serve in silence.
The ones who hold everyone else up. The ones who are rebuilding from burnout.
There’s no spotlight. Just support, strategy, and a few kitchen hacks that make life feel a little lighter.
📚 More Resources + Reads:
🛠 Also read:
- Kitchen MVP’s Time-Saving Wisdom
- Time-Saving Inspired Tools for the Quiet Heroes Who Keep Us Fed and Safe