Finding Your Why When the World Feels Heavy

Let’s be honest — it’s been a tough season. The headlines are heavy. Budgets are tight. Politics are tense. And many of you — whether you’re in homes every day with families, managing data behind the scenes, or helping programs run smoothly — are feeling the weight.

You got into this work to help people. To make a difference. To be a steady presence for families navigating tough situations. But when funding worries arise or your efforts feel invisible, it’s natural to wonder: Is this even making a difference?

First of all: yes, it is.

But let’s take a step back — not to sugarcoat reality, but to reconnect with what made this work matter to you in the first place.

Your Impact Is Bigger Than You Think

You might not always get to see the results of your efforts, especially when the day-to-day is filled with paperwork, last-minute cancellations, or difficult conversations. But somewhere, a child is safer because you helped a caregiver feel supported. Somewhere, a parent is making a healthier choice because of something you said. Somewhere, a family is staying together because you listened, without judgment.

In home visiting and its supporting roles, your work often plants seeds. You might not always witness the bloom — but your presence, your consistency, and your care absolutely matter.

“There are days when I feel like I’m just spinning my wheels, but then a parent says, ‘Thank you, I didn’t know who else to talk to.’ That reminds me why I do this.”— Home Visitor

“Even though I’m not client-facing, I know my work helps the people who are in homes every day. That’s what keeps me going.”— Program Coordinator

It’s Okay to Feel Worn Out

Let’s not pretend grit and passion can always override the stress of working in a field where funding is uncertain and systemic problems feel overwhelming. Burnout is real. Compassion fatigue is real. And pretending everything’s fine when it’s not doesn’t help anyone.

What does help is naming it. Talking about it. Creating space with your colleagues to say, “This is hard.” Because when we stop pretending, we start healing. And when we’re honest about the weight we carry, we give ourselves permission to breathe — and to ask for support.

“Sometimes I just need someone to say, ‘I see how hard you’re working.’ It makes a big difference.”— Hospital Liaison

Reconnecting with Your Intrinsic Why

External motivation — like raises, praise, or program awards — feels good, but it’s not always in our control. Intrinsic motivation is different. It’s internal. It’s the quiet drive that says, “This matters to me.”

Here are a few questions to gently explore your “why” again:

• When was a time you felt proud of your work? What made that moment meaningful?

• What value or belief led you into this profession?

• If you could remove all the noise — politics, funding worries, red tape — what part of this work still lights a spark in you?

“Every time I see a mom advocate for herself — speak up, ask a question, make a decision — I know something we talked about stuck. That’s what keeps me going.”— Home Visitor

Remember: You’re Not Alone

If you’re feeling tired, frustrated, or demoralized, chances are your coworkers are too. One of the most powerful things we can do in hard times is lean on each other. Ask a teammate how they’re really doing. Celebrate small wins together. Share laughs when you can. In this kind of work, community is everything.

“We started a five-minute ‘good news’ share before our staff meetings. It’s amazing how much lighter the room feels afterward.”— Team Supervisor

And if you’re a leader reading this — your team doesn’t need perfection from you. They need your presence. Your acknowledgment of their struggles. Your belief in them, even when they’re running on empty.

Little Moments Matter

In the chaos of the world and the constraints of the job, it can feel like big change is impossible. But don’t underestimate the power of small, kind moments. A warm smile. A thoughtful question. A phone call just to check in. These are the things families remember. These are the things we remember.

You may not always be able to change the system. But every time you show up — for a family, for a coworker, for yourself — you’re making a dent in the darkness.

A Gentle Reminder

You are not your productivity. You are not your caseload. You are not the latest budget decision. Yes, all of those things are very important. But you are just as important. Please don’t lose sight of that.

You are a human being with a generous heart, doing incredibly hard work in incredibly uncertain times. That alone is worth honoring.

Let’s keep going — not because we’re not tired, but because the work still matters.

And so do you.