When “Too Much” Becomes Too Costly: Knowing When to Walk Away and Make Room for More

There comes a time in relationships—whether personal, professional or within organizations—where you must ask yourself: Am I giving too much for too little in return?

The reality is that every connection, whether with a person, a workplace, or a community group, has an energy balance. When the demands, expectations, and struggles outweigh the joy, appreciation, and respect, something is off. If that imbalance persists, it’s time to walk away.

Love, work, and community involvement should require effort, but they shouldn’t leave you feeling drained, unappreciated, or taken for granted. You are not responsible for holding together spaces that refuse to make space for you.

Why Some Organizations Fail

This same dynamic applies to clubs and volunteer organizations. Many fail because they take without giving, demand without appreciating, and expect loyalty without earning it. Here’s why some of these longtime organizations are now collapsing:

• They always want more. Instead of recognizing the sacrifices their volunteers, staff, and supporters make, they keep pushing for more—more hours, more money, more commitment—without considering burnout.

• They fail to show appreciation. Hard work and dedication go unnoticed, and people only hear from leadership when something goes wrong, not when things go right.

• They prioritize wealth over relationships. They focus on funding, expansion, and status while neglecting the very people who sustain them.

• They sabotage progress. Whether through poor leadership, internal politics, or dismissing fresh ideas, these organizations create obstacles for newcomers instead of solutions.

• They burn out their best people. The most dedicated contributors are often burdened with the heaviest workloads and the least recognition—until they walk away, leaving the organization at a loss.

An organization that only consumes will eventually collapse. No amount of funding, prestige, or ambition can replace a culture that uplifts, respects, and values its people.

You Do Not Have to Stay - Raise Your Standard and Make Room for Something Better

It is not your job to convince someone of your worth, to sacrifice yourself for an ungrateful organization, or to stay where you are not valued. Relationships—whether personal, professional, or within a community—should feel balanced, reciprocal, and respectful.

If being part of something means:

• Constant angst, exhaustion, and emotional labour,

• Feeling used rather than supported,

• Having your efforts expected but never appreciated,

Then, it is time to walk away.

You do not have to justify walking away from spaces that diminish you. And here’s the most powerful truth: By leaving, you create space for something better. You open the door to new opportunities, healthier relationships, and places where your talents, tools, time, and resources are truly valued.

Walking away isn’t giving up—it’s a sign of your growth and knowing to invest your energy wisely. New beginnings await you, including the right people, the right organizations, and the right opportunities; they will appear once you raise your standards and self-worth.