A few weeks ago, I felt really, really tired.
I assumed I needed rest, so I slept longer hours and rested more frequently than I usually do. But the extra sleep didn’t help. I still couldn’t find the spark to get going.
That’s when I started paying attention to how I was describing my tiredness. And it hit me.
I wasn’t physically tired.
I had lost my spark.
I wasn’t inspired. I wasn’t energized by what I was doing. And no amount of extra sleep was going to fix that.
This reflection got me thinking about the different ways we experience “tiredness.” Being tired doesn’t always mean we’re physically exhausted. When we try to recharge in a way that doesn’t match what’s actually depleted, it doesn’t help. That’s exactly why more sleep didn’t work for me. What I needed wasn’t rest. It was inspiration. I needed to bring joy and meaning back into my life.
So how do we know what kind of rest we actually need?
Our language gives us clues.
Here are a few common types of tiredness, revealed through the words we use:
- “I have no energy.” “I’m wiped out.”
→ Low Fuel
You likely need physical rest: sleep, nourishment, and downtime. - “I’m tired. This feels heavy.” “I can’t keep holding all of this.” “I’m maxed out.”
→ Too Much Weight / Load
You may need relief—delegation, support, or learning to trust others. - “I feel empty.” “I have nothing left to give.” “I feel drained.”
→ Empty Cup
It’s time to refill your cup. Do what truly nourishes you. - “I’m always behind.” “I can’t get into a groove.” “Nothing is flowing.”
→ Out of Rhythm
You may need to reset routines, review priorities, and reflect on whether your life is aligned with who you are. - “Nothing lights me up.” “I feel flat.” “I’ve lost my spark.”
→ Lost Spark
This is a call for inspiration, joy, and clarity around purpose.
Above all, listen when you feel tired rather than brushing it off as “this is just life.”
Pay attention to the words you use, and choose the kind of rest that actually matches what you’re feeling.
When you do, you don’t just recover.
You begin to feel inspired, aligned, and like yourself again. And if you’d like to work on gaining clarity or reconnecting with what lights you up, I’d be happy to chat 🙂
What kind of tiredness have you experienced recently?
