By Vanessa Stuart, M.Ed.

I didn’t recognize it at the time. In fact, if you’d asked me back then, I would have told you I was just tired, over-caffeinated, and maybe coming down with something (again). But in hindsight, I know now that I was running on fumes.

As a principal, I loved my school. I loved the staff, the kids and the families. I felt proud to be trusted with something so important. I cared deeply about my school community and felt proud that they trusted me with something so important. I gave it my all and I kept giving everything I had, until I didn’t have much left to give. 

 It started small with some sleepless nights and a constant tightness in my shoulders. I would experience a nagging, lingering headache, and I would chalk it up to the job. I mean, every principal is stressed, right? That’s just part of leadership. 

But over time, things got worse. I was getting sick more often. My heart would frequently start racing, and I couldn’t shake the fog in my brain. Even things that used to bring me joy, like visiting classrooms or laughing with kids, felt heavy. What I didn’t realize at the time was that my body was trying to tell me something. I wasn’t just tired. I was burned out.

Looking back, I can see how stress crept in and made itself at home. I can also see how I ignored my own needs in the name of being a “good leader.” I convinced myself that everyone else’s needs had to come first.

The ironic part was that I did this while also telling my teachers to prioritize self-care, take breaks, and set boundaries. I meant what I said to them, I just didn’t apply it to myself. 

It turns out, I wasn’t alone. A 2022 report from Rand found that 85% of principals experience job-related stress and 48% of principals are facing burnout. I know every day principals show up, push through and put their mental health needs on the back burner, focusing instead on other, seemingly more important issues. But, principals, your mental health matters. Your rest matters. Prioritizing health, practicing self-care and setting boundaries aren’t just for your staff, they are for you too.

If you relate to this story, download our free workbook, Mental Health for Principals: Strategies for Prioritizing Mental Wellness. You’ll find strategies backed by neuroscience that can help principals manage their mental health and avoid burnout.