Everyone saw the livestream—millions tuning in, marveling at creatures that look like they belong in someone else’s dream. They called us explorers. I just felt tired. We sat in the dark, eyes burning from hours of blue light, watching the ROV drift through a world we’ll never touch. My PI called it historic. I called it another night I missed dinner, another day I wondered if any of this mattered beyond the next grant cycle. People sent messages about how inspired they felt. I answered with emojis, not honesty. I wanted to tell them: sometimes I can’t feel wonder anymore. Sometimes, all I see is the pressure to find something new before I disappear, too. #Science #ScienceFatigue #LabBurnout