Backlogged, Burned Out, but Still Here:
- PRSL
- Jun 5
- 4 min read
A Late May Recap for Tested, Tattooed, and Touring: Tina's blog on the road.
It’s been a minute since I wrote anything.Not because I didn’t have things to say, but because I was mentally stuck. So bogged down I couldn’t even bring myself to reflect on the weeks behind me. When you’re in that headspace, even writing can feel like a mountain. So—here I am, late but honest.
May was a full-on blur.I spent nearly the entire month on tour with Save Ferris and Keep Flying—29 straight days, minimal breaks, and over 180 people swabbed for the bone marrow registry. That number is huge, and I’m proud of it. But if I’m being real, this run tested me.
Physically, I held up okay. But mentally? It was rough. Living out of a van, constantly setting up, always “on”—it’s a lot. And this tour, it caught up with me. The only reason I didn’t completely break down from the nonstop grind was because Henry from Keep Flying took over most of the driving. That kind of help? It made a massive difference. And I felt it immediately when I had two solo drive days—my body revolted. I was foggy, forgetting things, missing exits, and completely wrecked after just 48 hours.
But here’s the thing—this run also reminded me of why we keep doing this.Even in the middle of the burnout, there was so much good.
We swabbed over 180 people for the bone marrow registry—180 more chances to save someone’s life. We got to tell one band that someone matched and donated because of a swab at their show. We even heard that someone survived an overdose because they had Narcan we gave them. That’s not just hypothetical impact—that’s real, tangible, life-saving work.
We had conversations that cracked us open.People shared their grief, their recovery, their survival. I talked to a mother who started an art nonprofit in memory of her daughter lost to suicide. I met a woman who escaped a 14-year abusive relationship and is now helping solve cold cases. A guy three months clean came up just to say thanks and tell his story. Another fan opened up about losing someone to fentanyl just days earlier.
Those are the moments that stick. That fuel the late nights and the long drives.That remind me that what we do—setting up a table and saying “Hey, do you have a minute?”—can ripple out in ways we’ll never fully know.
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Now, for the first time since February, I’m heading into a full month at home. No van. No back-to-back cities. No trying to piece together Wi-Fi and sleep schedules. Just...home. I need this month—for my dogs, my house, and honestly, to just feel like I exist in the community I love so much. I feel so removed from being a person when I am on the road. I am always a visitor which puts me in the constant feeling of being a burden.
This last run made me realize how much of “normal life” I miss out on. I haven’t been to a First Friday art night in years. I haven’t touched a Ren Faire, gone for a casual lake day, or done any of those summertime things that so many folks take for granted. And that’s the cost of always being on the road during the busy season.
I don’t regret the work. But I miss balance.And that’s what I’m hoping to reclaim a bit this month—balance, stillness, presence. Some time to refill the tank before the next round of chaos. Because the mission never stops, but sometimes, I have to.
XOXO,
Tina
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If You’re Struggling, Please Don’t Stay Silent
We believe in talking about mental health—openly, honestly, and without shame. If you’re hurting or just need someone to listen, please know that help is out there, and you are never alone.
📞 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Call or text 988 (24/7, free & confidential)
📱 Crisis Text Line – Text HELLO to 741741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor
🏳️🌈 The Trevor Project – Support for LGBTQ+ youth: thetrevorproject.org
🎶 Music Minds Matter – Mental health support for music industry workers: musicmindsmatter.org.uk
🌊 Here Tomorrow – Immediate mental health support in Florida and beyond: heretomorrow.org
📢 Amplified Minds – A mental health collective empowering the music scene: amplifiedminds.net
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Support the Bands Who Support the Mission
Endless gratitude to the incredible humans in Save Ferris, Keep Flying, The Bouncing Souls, The Toasters, and Middle-Aged Queers for lifting us up on this past month. Give them a listen, grab their merch, and show them some love:
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