You Are So Busy Serving Others,
who is serving you?

By Women in Cafes and Restaurants

In hospitality, we’re wired to serve, plates, people, pressure, and perfection. We show up early, stay late, manage chaos with a smile, and juggle a hundred things while making it all look seamless. But behind the scenes? Many of us are running on empty.

It’s time we asked the question: Who is serving you?

You can’t pour from an empty cup, no matter how skilled or strong you are. We see you , the woman leading the kitchen, running the floor, managing the books, mentoring the staff, and still somehow handling family life, friendships, and that never-ending mental to-do list.

But what happens when the burnout creeps in? When the passion feels more like pressure?

Asking for help isn’t a weakness, it’s a power move. When you reach out, you give yourself space to breathe, reset, and show up as your best self, not just for others, but for you. It’s how we stay grounded, reduce stress, and lead with clarity and purpose.

And here’s a truth we need to embrace: you are allowed to take a break. Whether it’s a proper holiday or a mental health day, time off is vital. Rest is not a reward! It’s a requirement. Trusting your team to hold the fort isn’t just good for you, it’s good for them too. It empowers your people, strengthens leadership across your business, and builds a culture that values sustainability over sacrifice.

Let this be your reminder:

• Take the break.
• Ask for help.
• Say no when it’s too much.
• Trust your team to step up, it’s how they grow.
• Check in with yourself as often as you check on others.

We created Women in Cafes and Restaurants for exactly this reason, to serve the servers. A community where you’re not just giving but receiving. A space to be seen, supported, and reminded that your well-being is not a luxury.

You are the backbone of this industry,
it’s time someone had your back.

Need support? Start here:

• The Burnt Chef Project – mental health support for hospitality workers
• Lifeline Australia – 13 11 14 -24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention
• Beyond Blue – mental health resources and helpline
• Your GP or local community mental health service
• Talk to your team, your peers, your people. You’d be surprised how many are struggling too.

Let’s normalise taking leave. Let’s trust our teams. Let’s start serving ourselves with the same care we give to others because you deserve it.