One of the hardest parts of being an ADI isn’t the teaching—it’s the loneliness.
You work alone. You make life-or-death decisions alone. You deal with difficult learners alone. You celebrate wins alone. You process failures alone.
And nobody really understands what that’s like unless they’ve done it.
Many ADIs report that isolation is one of the biggest contributors to burnout. You start doubting yourself. You lose perspective. You forget why you love this work.
But here’s what we know: ADIs who have support systems stay in this work longer, enjoy it more, and teach better.
This thread is about breaking isolation:
- Who do you talk to about the hard stuff?
- How are you building or rebuilding professional connection?
- What support would actually help you?
Tell us: Are you struggling with isolation right now? And if you’ve found ways to stay connected, what worked?
Reflection Question:
Who’s in your support system right now? If the answer is “nobody,” what’s one small step you could take this week?
Community Engagement Question:
What’s one thing you wish another ADI had told you when you were struggling?
Key Principle:
Connection + Normalisation + Permission to ask for support