It’s been a while since you’ve heard from me. Update: depression got me once again! Being a virtual assistant with depression, not the easiest thing.
Well, being anyone with depression isn’t easy.
The truth is, 2024 was hard. I’ve lived with depression for a long time, but 2024 hit differently. I didn’t fall off the map because I stopped caring or lost interest in my work — I simply had nothing to give. If you’ve lived with depression yourself, you might know what that feels like: like you’re underwater, watching the world move on without you.
There wasn’t some huge event or epiphany.
It wasn’t burnout in the hustle-culture sense. This was a deeper, longer dip in a mental health condition I’ve always carried with me. One that quietly saps your energy, dulls your spark, and turns even small tasks into mountains. I didn’t disappear because I stopped being “me.” I disappeared because I was unwell.
Somehow, I did manage to keep parts of my business going. I kept showing up — quietly — for my long-term clients. But I stopped taking on new work, stepped back from some roles, and got behind in ways that left me feeling overwhelmed and isolated. It wasn’t sustainable, but it was the best I could do at the time. And honestly, that has to be enough.
What helped — more than anything — was finally finding a medication that worked for me. I started sertraline in January, and slowly but surely, the fog began to lift. Not all at once, and not perfectly, but enough. Enough to come back to myself. To my clients, to my business. To the life I want to live.
I want to say this clearly: taking medication for your mental health is nothing to be ashamed of. It doesn’t mean you failed. It means you’re taking care of yourself in the way you need. For me, it’s made a huge difference. More than other medications have in the past. And I’m grateful — not just for the medication itself, but for the support I’ve had while finding my way back.
So now, onwards.
I’m back. And I’m building slowly, intentionally, and with care — for myself, and for the people I serve.
If you don’t know me (or if you’ve forgotten — fair enough, it’s been a while), I’m Izzy — a virtual assistant with depression who works with people-focused businesses. I help therapists, coaches, educators, and creatives behind the scenes so they can do more of the work that helps others. You’ll see me posting regularly again — both here on the blog and over on Instagram.
What to expect from me now:
- Weekly blog posts about working online, running a values-led business, and navigating mental health as a human and a service provider.
- Regular Instagram content — reels, carousels, honest thoughts, and helpful tips.
- Gentle encouragement, especially for new virtual assistants and small business owners.
- No fluff, no grind culture, no pretending I have it all together. Just honest content from someone who gets it.
Whether you’ve been here a while or are just finding me now — thank you. I’m so glad to be back, and I’m excited for what’s next.
— Izzy
Written in partnership with ChatGPT
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