For the ones running on empty but not ready to give up the race.
Let’s Start With the Truth: You’re Knackered, Aren’t You?
You’re not tired. You’re tired tired. The kind of tired that sleep can’t fix. That crazy tired where brushing your teeth feels like an Olympic sport.
The tired where you wake up exhausted and think, “Didn’t I just do this?” If that’s you, you’re not broken. You’re not lazy. You’re not a failure. You’re just human in a world that glorifies burnout and calls it ambition. And before we jump into any big pep talk or how-to list, let me say this loud and clear, so your soul hears it: ‘You have full, unapologetic permission to feel tired’.
You don’t owe the world a constantly upbeat version of yourself.
You don’t need to pretend you’re thriving when you’re barely coping.
And you absolutely, categorically don’t need to apologise for not being “on it” every damn day.
But –
(And it’s a gentle but firm ‘but’)
You also don’t have to stay there.
Part One: Let’s Sit With It (Just for a Minute)
Let’s not slap a motivational quote over your fatigue and call it healed.
Let’s not tell you to “just be grateful” when your nervous system is fried.
That’s toxic positivity. That’s nonsense. That’s not Oi Mooshy.
What we will do is hold space for the version of you that’s crawling instead of running.
Because maybe your tiredness isn’t just physical. Maybe it’s:
- Decision fatigue (too many choices, not enough clarity)
- Emotional burnout (caring for everyone, forgetting yourself)
- Creative drain (having ideas but no energy to execute them)
- Existential exhaustion (the “what’s the point of it all?” whisper)
Sound familiar?
You’re not alone.
This isn’t weakness. It’s a warning light.
And the worst thing you can do is ignore it and carry on like everything’s fine.
Part Two: The Lie of Constant Energy
Let me tell you something that’ll set you free:
You were never meant to be “on” all the time.
You’re not a smartphone.
You’re not an algorithm.
You’re not a productivity machine.
You are a rhythm. A tide. A heartbeat.
Even nature has seasons, and no one’s yelling at winter to “hustle harder.”
The culture of grind will have you believe that rest is laziness and stillness is failure.
But here at Oi Mooshy, we believe something radical:
Rest is not a reward. It’s a right.
And energy isn’t found in pushing more… it’s often found in pausing.
Part Three: OK, So You’re Tired… Now What?
This is where we start to move.
Not sprint. Not leap.
Just… inch forward with compassion and curiosity.
Here’s what to do when you don’t feel like doing anything:
1. Name the Tired
Ask yourself:
“What kind of tired am I?”
Because “tired” isn’t a one size fits-all experience.
- Are you physically tired? (Body says nope.)
- Mentally tired? (Brain fog, anyone?)
- Emotionally tired? (Cried at an advert lately?)
- Spiritually tired? (Lost your sense of why?)
Naming it gives you power. It means you’re not just vaguely worn out, you’re understanding your battery. (There’s even a brilliant way to visualise this, called the Spoon Theory (click the link), especially powerful if your tiredness feels invisible to others.)
2. Drop the Guilt
Repeat after me:
I don’t need to earn rest. I need to respect my limits.
You’re allowed to take breaks. You’re allowed to do less.
You don’t need to justify downtime with productivity later.
Drop the guilt like it’s last season’s fashion.
3. Micro Rituals > Big Transformations
Forget the life-overhaul nonsense. What you need are tiny jolts. Little acts that tell your brain and body, “Hey, we’re still in the game.”
Try this menu of micro rituals:
- Open a window and take 3 deep, noisy breaths
- Drink a glass of cold water like it’s a magic potion
- Put on a song that makes your shoulders dance, even if your face is still grumpy
- Wash your face with something that smells like a spa and pretend you’re rich
- Send a meme to a friend and call it “emotional outreach”
You don’t need to feel motivated to do these. You just need to start.
4. Make One Promise To Yourself (And Keep It)
One small promise. One win. One bit of self-trust built back.
Maybe it’s:
- “I’ll go outside for 10 minutes today.”
- “I’ll write one page, not a novel.”
- “I’ll log off at 8pm, no emails.”
- “I’ll eat something green that isn’t mouldy.”
Keep that one promise and clap for yourself. That’s how momentum begins.
5. Reconnect With Your ‘Why’ (Even If It’s Whispering)
What used to light you up?
What used to feel like play, not work?
Go sit near that thing. You don’t have to engage with it fully yet, just remember it.
For me, sometimes it’s writing this kind of piece. Sometimes it’s watching someone else live their passion and thinking, “Yeah… maybe I could again too.”
Reconnection doesn’t always come with fireworks.
Sometimes it’s a flicker. Honour the flicker.
6. Don’t Wait for Motivation – Create Motion
Motivation is flaky. She ghosts people.
But motion? Motion builds motivation.
Do something tiny and achievable. That small act creates energy. Not the other way around.
Fold one shirt. Write one paragraph. Make one phone call.
Small wins create bigger energy than big dreams left untouched.
Part Four: The Comeback Isn’t Loud… It’s Intentional
You don’t need to roar back into life with a 10 point plan and vision board.
You just need to choose something, anything, that moves you 1% closer to feeling alive.
Here’s what the Oi Mooshy comeback looks like:
- Realising you’ve felt numb and not judging yourself for it
- Laughing unexpectedly and noticing how good it feels
- Doing something for joy – not outcome
- Saying “no” without guilt
- Saying “yes” without fear
- Showing up, messy but present
Final Word: You’re Allowed to Be Tired. Just Don’t Let It Define You.
Tiredness is a visitor.
A very persistent, couch surfing one, but still a visitor.
You don’t need to build your identity around your exhaustion.
You don’t need to stay in survival mode just because it’s familiar.
Your energy will return. Your passion isn’t lost. It’s resting.
And when it comes back, it’ll come with purpose.
Until then, be gentle. Be honest. And above all, be you.
Because even when you’re running on fumes,
You’re still worth showing up for.
Your Turn:
What kind of tired are you today?
And what’s one micro-ritual you’ll try this week?
Drop it in the comments or share it with someone else who needs this reminder. Because we’re all in this together, even when it feels like we’re crawling.