When the Teeter Broke – and I Realised What Sustainable Leadership Really Means
I stood there, in the middle of the crowd. Tired but still smiling. On the surface, everything looked fine. But inside me – something had broken. It wasn’t until I stepped away that I began to understand: being strong isn’t about holding it all together at any cost. It’s about tending. Truly.
It Looked Balanced – But I Was Breaking Inside
It was a weekday evening. I had stopped by the church after work to say hello to a friend. We chatted briefly, but he looked at me differently. “How are you really, Hanna?” he asked, with genuine care.
And I heard myself answer:
“It feels like I’m sitting on the edge of a teeter that’s broken in the middle – and I’m still trying to make it balance.”
I had been patching life together for a long time. Optimising everything around me: rest, relationships, the things I loved. But work – it drained more than I could replenish. Eventually, my body said stop.
When Sustainability Turns From Buzzword to Lifeline
I used to think words like balance and sustainability sounded fluffy. For others. Unrealistic. I was used to delivering, driving change, staying strong.
But in that moment – when I couldn’t go on – I realised it’s not about being weak. It’s about being smart. About lasting over time.
💡Sustainability isn’t an ideal. It’s a compass.
I chose to add a new value word to my life: sustainable. Not as an ideal. But as a direction to live by.
So What Does That Mean in Practice?
It doesn’t mean I live perfectly. It means I ask myself questions like:
- What drains me right now – and what replenishes me?
- What small step can I take today to feel better tomorrow?
- What can I let go of, to be more present where it truly matters?
And it means I no longer ignore imbalance. I check in. I adjust. I tend.
Small Steps, Big Difference
Maybe you don’t need a full reset either. Maybe 10 minutes a day is enough.
Time that goes to you..
Time that builds strength from within.
🟢 A short walk
📵 A notification-free evening
📖 A quiet moment with a book
🌳 A deep breath before a meeting
Small steps that build strength from within – and change more than you think.
Dare to Tend – to Lead Sustainably
What made me break wasn’t weakness. It was trying to be strong all the time – without giving myself what I needed. Especially not setting boundaries.
Today I build my leadership differently. Not by doing more. But by tending to what helps me hold.
And you know what?
It’s not selfish. It’s brave. And necessary.
💡 Ready to Start Your Own Journey Toward Sustainable Self-Leadership?
📥 Download my Clarity Workbook – free.
A practical reflection tool to help you see the whole picture, identify what’s off, and take your first steps.