Judges spend their days making decisions in the public eye, but the responsibility of the role doesn't always end when they leave the courthouse. This is one judge's anonymous reflection on the quiet pressure of always representing the judiciary and why protecting your well-being is just as important as protecting the integrity of the office.

Burnout rarely announces itself in obvious ways. It does not usually begin with a breakdown or a moment where everything suddenly stops working. More often, it develops gradually and quietly, which makes it easy to normalize.

The tension between constant interaction and a quieter sense of isolation is more common than it seems.

Most judges hold themselves to high standards, but sometimes those standards quietly become harder to meet. When it becomes difficult to let decisions go or step away from the work, it may be a sign you’re carrying more than you realize. Here are 7 signs you may be holding yourself to an impossible standard.