When Tired Isn’t Really Tired
If you’re feeling drained but not exactly overworked, boredom might be the real culprit. Doing work that’s too easy, too repetitive, or too disconnected from your interests can trick your nervous system into feeling exhausted. Your brain wants stimulation, not another coffee.
Under-stimulation looks like burnout. Boredom-induced burnout shows up as brain fog, low motivation, irritability, and that “I need a break from everything” feeling, even when your schedule isn’t packed. It’s less about doing too much and more about doing things that don’t light anything up.
Try adding energy before you remove it. Before defaulting to rest or quitting altogether, experiment with adding one energizing input: A stretch assignment, a creative side project, a harder workout, a new class, or even changing how you structure your day. Novelty and challenge can be surprisingly restorative.
The Gentle Reframe: Instead of asking, “Why am I so burnt out?” try asking, “Where am I under-challenged?” Sometimes the fix isn’t slowing down. It’s waking your curiosity back up.
