Delays in editorial decisions are a frequent source of frustration for authors, yet the hidden challenges faced by editors remain largely unrecognized. Reflecting on my experience serving on the editorial boards of two academic journals, I describe the substantial workload, emotional burden, and reviewer scarcity that characterize contemporary editorial practice. Managing approximately 20 manuscripts required sending dozens to over a hundred reviewer invitations per article, often yielding few or no responses and prolonging decision timelines. The relentless, voluntary nature of this work resulted in significant mental fatigue, intrusion into personal life, and eventual burnout, culminating in my resignation from both roles. This reflective account highlights the demanding, often invisible labor of editors and calls for greater empathy and support within the scholarly community.

publication, editor, peer review, journal