When Kindness and Strength Hurt
Kindness and strength are often praised—but rarely do we talk about the quiet toll they take on caregivers.
In The Weight of Kindness, Sarah, a social worker, is worn down by the trauma she holds for others. David, a firefighter, is haunted by a rescue that went tragically wrong. Both are seen as strong. Both are deeply kind. And both are quietly unraveling.
Sarah’s empathy becomes emotional exhaustion. David’s silence becomes a prison of PTSD. Each shows us that caring too much—without caring for ourselves—can become its own kind of wound.
But healing begins when they choose to speak. David opens up and finds strength in vulnerability. Sarah begins setting boundaries, realizing self-care doesn’t weaken her—it sustains her.
Because real strength isn’t about carrying it all. It’s knowing when to ask for help.
And real kindness? It includes being kind to yourself.