From the series:The Upside of the Downside
Last time, we talked about confidence, and how it grows softer and more real when life humbles you. This week, I want to turn to something more physical, more human: what happens when you’re simply tired. Not just sleepy, but mentally, emotionally, soul-tired.
Lately, I’ve been working with a freelancer on a creative project, turning my writing into illustrations. What began with excitement slowly turned into something draining. Deadlines blurred, promises shifted, and conversations became long debates that led nowhere. I’ve tried to stay calm and professional, reminding myself that creativity often brings friction. But when that friction keeps sparking, even patience can start to smoke.
That’s when I knew I was running on empty.
I had no energy left to plan, write, or even think clearly. The project filled my thoughts, crowding out the simple joys of the day.
So, I stepped outside.
Just walked. Not into the countryside, but through the city. Under the sun, feeling the warmth on my face. I reminded myself that even a few steps count. Even small movement brings oxygen back to the heart. It’s strange how we spend so much time sitting in front of screens, trying to solve everything with words or emails, when sometimes the best solution is to stop typing and start walking.
That’s where the quiet truths show up.
For me, burnout has become a teacher. It reminds me that recovery isn’t about escaping, but shifting — from one kind of energy to another. From the problem to the body. From thoughts that drain to moments that refill.
Even nature works that way. Trees lose their leaves to survive winter, not to give up. And we, too, need those seasons of stillness to grow again.
As Alex Soojung-Kim Pang wrote in Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less,
“Rest is not idleness. It is the partner of work, not its enemy.”
That line stays with me because it reminds me that pausing isn’t weakness. It’s what allows us to keep creating, keep caring, and keep standing.
And maybe this week, you can try something simple. Go for a walk. How many steps do you take each day? There’s no need to count unless you enjoy it. If you wear a smartwatch, let it do the counting. If not, just relax. Your body knows when it’s had enough. What matters is that you move, breathe, and let your thoughts loosen as your feet find their rhythm.
Here are two reflections for this week:
– When was the last time you truly stepped away from something that was draining you, not to quit, but to breathe?
– What small rituals help refill your energy when life leaves you running on empty?
Until next time, take care of your energy.
You can’t pour light from an empty lamp.
Warm Wishes
