Feeling exhausted right now is reasonable. Here are three reasons why you might be feeling this way, followed by some ideas on what you can try to do about it.
The world is chaotic.
What used to be normative no longer is. Constantly navigating stress and trauma is emotionally depleting. Feeling tired, worn-out, or even despairing is an appropriate response to the current socio-political situation.
tl;dr (“too long, didn’t read”) You’re not mistaken.
Maybe you’re making unplanned household changes.
Many of us are being forced to make decisions about some important things lately, such as employment, retirement, savings and other factors we did not anticipate being as variable as they have become.
And for many of us there is ongoing uncertainty about job stability and income reliability, even if things have shifted for us personally just yet. There’s real concern for imminent loss of what we have been counting on.
Sudden, negative changes in household income, or even the strong possibility of such things, provoke anxiety under the best of circumstances. And that would not characterize today’s reality, broadly-speaking. When there is no readily apparent hope for things to get better, fatigue is likely to result.
Chronic stress is depleting.
Chronic stress on the bodymind, worrying about what is and what might be coming, wears us out. Doomscrolling, along with a real concern for yourself, your loved ones and your neighbors, and/or the world around you is physiologically exhausting.
The persistent nature of today’s cumulative stress is no longer allowing the “down times” in between that may have previously given space for precious rest and recovery.
So what can you do?
Above all, please remember that we are talking about the exhaustion that comes from bearing unrelenting stress, in a time when hope seems out of reach. It’s not your fault that you are exhausted by all of this.
Furthermore, given the intersectional nature of most forms of social stress, these burdens are unevenly felt across our communities. And you may additionally feel some ways about that, too.
Given all of that and more, what can you do to help yourself mitigate some of the exhaustion?
Pursue joy.
This may sound silly or impractical, but it’s not. Finding moments of enjoyment in every day can be deeply energizing. Joy is uplifting and can lighten despair. In today’s world, joy is sustenance. Please try to find your joy, because your spirit needs to be fed.
Find your people.
Figure out and/or remember who they are, and then participate regularly in a community of people who recognize and value you. Social isolation can lead us to feel alone, tired, and overwhelmed. Being connected with folks can help.
Do social interactions replace actual lost sleep, nutrition and access to the other basics? No, they do not. Strive to meet those goals for yourself too. Then also, find your people.
Share.
And share your experiences and your feelings with someone who can listen and validate without judgment. This can be a friend, a family member, or a professional. Everyone needs someone who will receive their story and hold it all.
Could spiritual direction help?
If some of what you’ve read here feels familiar? It might help, yes. Spiritual direction at Spill the Tea offers that kind of space. Everyone’s first session is free and there’s no pressure to continue. You are always welcome here, to bring whatever you’re holding.
