Well crafted Justine! Knowing your limitations is as important as remembering your strengths. We are all responsible for our own happiness and if certain burdens start infringing upon that it is ultimately ourselves, as you highlight, that have to recognize that and create boundaries. 

Walking away sometimes is necessary. I see it as empowering rather than quitting. To be self aware enough to understand we have finite energy and time, and to redistribute these most precious commodities towards more viable goals is not just prudent, but often neccesary.

To listen to the audio version of this article click on the play image.
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It doesn't matter how much one does or doesn't do for others, if you can no longer do, all that has been done gets forgotten. I gave up a long time ago on the idea of reciprocity in relationships - the give and take of the world is more take and little give. So, I do what I do, others do what they do, sometimes paths cross for benefits, often for harms - eventually we die.

depeche mode say it best, be more like depeche.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfiISFiozg8

depeche is my guide.

Well! Maybe i should say I was once in your shoe for a long time but one day i sat down and think about what i have done and what am I doing, because no matter how I tried, it seems I am not doing it right. I will be well committed, loyal, good person to my best interest, good communication and at the end all blame will be on me. Then, i decided to work away as you did and focus on myself, walk away for years and I am enjoying it being myself once again.

Hello! 

This post has been manually curated, resteemed
and gifted with some virtually delicious cake
from the @helpiecake curation team!  
 

Much love to you from all of us at @helpie!
Keep up the great work! 

<a href="http://steemit.com/@helpie">
![helpiecake](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmTpdoHZHEFyZPjQdfmh6NYAZWoVK6rDJqmuFMF3WVN1VY/23.png)
</a>


Manually curated by @niallon11.

Man is not merely a social machine. 

What you are concerned with is neither extrovert nor introvert.

You are not the only one living with mixed emotions.

Hi Justine! Remember me? Your friendly neighbourhood musician and songwriter?
I really enjoyed your philosophical style post and especially, this extract - 

*Don’t lose your faith, don’t lose your passion and don’t lose your ideals, but for goodness sake.. make sure you don’t lose yourself.*

I've had a tricky 6 months with my Mental health, almost lost my spark, my faith in me and my music and soul. 
Therapy was amazing in the form of running, and I must say, I'm feeling more and more like DC again with each day. 
It's so easy to let yourself become dispondent and demotivated by the world around you, that you almost just EXIST.
Let's not just Exist, let's live and cherish our inner strength, our passions and creativity. 

Thanks again for your positive outlook.
DC🎼🎸

So many good people hitting burn out at the same time.  

I've done it and I still do it, usually, now I catch myself before it explodes.

Enjoy yourself and leave for a while if you need to.  I take breaks.
Fame has its cost and you are getting a bit of fame.

Congratulations @justineh! You have completed the following achievement on the Steem blockchain and have been rewarded with new badge(s) :

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<sub>_You can view [your badges on your Steem Board](https://steemitboard.com/@justineh) and compare to others on the [Steem Ranking](http://steemitboard.com/ranking/index.php?name=justineh)_</sub>
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Don't forget your own words that some things are beautifully broken and that's ok. 

Many things with and around Steem are broken and should be left that way. Maybe they're not beautifully broken, but... 

I think you're just at the beginning of what you can achieve.  

Trying to herd a bunch of decentralized feral cats in a bear market is too much for a small army to handle, let alone someone with as much fire and genuine passion as you. You give and give, and take heat and sh*t better than anyone I've ever seen. It all takes a toll because you're human, and very real, and you care.
 
Plant new seeds on your terms, where you'll thrive, and those with the same values and drive will flock. You're a leader at heart and deserve success here, or anywhere.  It's also ok to go all-in on yourself.  The greater good will still be there if and when you're ready.

Yes, that can still happen _here,_ depending on how you define it, or perhaps it'll be elsewhere. 

Regardless, rest and recoup, but don't you dare lose faith in your talents and ability to improve the things and people you touch.

You are hope. 

I speak for the real people around here off of the agenda wagons that we appreciate everything you've done, and will do when you're back on track. And, if you just want to do you, that'll be just fine.

Go shake the globe. 

Tagging so you get the snow drift. @justineh