Tired

Words by Emily’s hand lettered phrase if you feel tired maybe it’s because you’re tired

I have been feeling SO TIRED lately. Drained. Exhausted. Sleepy. Worn out. Weary. Spent. But mostly: Tired. So tired that my writing is reduced to a thesaurus entry.

I’m overwhelmed by the tiredness. I want to be ACCOMPLISHING things. But the tiredness overwhelms that urge in addition to my physical self. The tiredness smothers my ambition; I’m left with little to show for myself, and I hate it.

I told my husband about this. I told him not so much to complain, but because I did not know what else to do, since doing things seems to be the problem. He is the one who usually helps me solve my problems, and he did not disappoint this time. In his usual way, it took him several seconds to form his reply. Also in his usual way, what his answer lacked in speed, it made up for in precision.

“Maybe you are feeling tired because you are tried. Maybe you need to rest.”

Oh.

I had wanted a diagnosis. I thought I needed a diagnosis. A theory about how much ice cream I’ve been eating. Or a suggestion that I should try cold brew. (Most of my own solutions tend to involve food). But, really, is any of that necessary? I feel tired. I am tired. I need to rest.

Published by Emily P.G. Erickson

Emily P.G. Erickson is a freelance writer specializing in mental health and parenting. She has written for popular digital publications, including Everyday Health, Health, The New York Times, Parents, Romper, WIRED, and more. Emily is a professional member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA) and the Association of Health Care Journalists (AHCJ). Previously, Emily researched PTSD for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and earned a master's in psychology. You can find the latest from Emily at www.emilypgerickson.com.

2 thoughts on “Tired

  1. Hi Em,

    Ever considered mild depression? And this forty days and nights of rain doesn’t help the psychic much either.

    Ciao, feel better,
    MM

    1. No kidding on the rain! I like to say that I’m solar powered — so much happier and more energetic when the skies are blue.

Leave a Reply

%d bloggers like this: