Getting into this career was not an easy choice. First responders face situations every day that most people couldn't even imagine. The long shifts, mandatory overtime, and missed events with loved ones can be exhausting. You hope that once you remove your uniform, the job won't linger in your mind, but sometimes events occur that make it difficult to reconnect with loved ones. Coping with intense emotions on high-pressure days often means disengaging emotionally, and re-engaging afterward isn't always feasible. After a while, you begin to struggle with sleeping, more so than usual with the shift work. Your close friends and relatives comment on your moodiness, which doesn't help. You find your job takes its toll. Training did not prepare you for this. There was no "defensive tactics" class on how to manage the effects of your career on your personal life. You find yourself being easily frustrated with little things. You are on edge, and having a hard time getting back to yourself. But you push on through because "it's all part of the job". Except, you know it doesn't have to be this way. Yes, the job is tough. Yes, the demands are exhausting. No, you can't imagine doing anything else.