Is Everyone Secretly Tired All the Time or Is It Just Us?

You feel tied, you know that low-key exhaustion that clings to your ankles like a clingy toddler, even when you technically had a full night’s sleep? That can’t-be-bothered fog that creeps in around 3pm (or let’s be honest, 11:30am)? Yeah. You’re not alone.

It turns out, loads of us are quietly shattered. We’re showing up, nodding through Teams calls, replying to texts with a chipper “No worries at all!” while fantasising about face-planting into a pile of clean laundry. It’s the kind of tired that no one talks about unless they’re already on their second coffee and feeling slightly brave.

So, what’s going on? Are we all just a bit burnt out?

The Sneaky Nature of Hidden Burnout

Burnout isn’t always the big dramatic breakdown. Often, it’s a whisper. A slow fizz of energy instead of a bang. You might still be functioning - going to work, meeting friends, ticking off your to-do list - but everything feels a bit too much. Even fun stuff.

And because we’re conditioned to power through (“It’s just a busy season!” we say, for the fifth year running), we don’t always spot it creeping in. We normalise it. And then we wonder why we want to nap on the kitchen floor by 4pm.

Signs You Might Be Silently Frazzled

• You feel tired before you even get out of bed.

• You’re increasingly allergic to social plans (even ones you made yourself).

• You snack not out of hunger, but out of existential overwhelm.

• Everything feels a bit... beige.

Sound familiar?

Small Shifts That Actually Help

We’re not here to overhaul your life or suggest a 5am yoga practice unless that’s genuinely your thing (and if it is, can we borrow a bit of your energy?). This is about tiny tweaks with a big payoff.

Snack Smart

Not to sound like your mum, but if your daily diet is 80% caffeine and vibes, your body is going to throw in the towel eventually. Try sneaking in protein-rich snacks like nuts, boiled eggs, or a cheeky bit of cheese. Blood sugar levels that don’t resemble a rollercoaster = a calmer brain.

Rebrand the Nap

We’ve been taught that naps are lazy or indulgent. Rubbish. A 20-minute lie-down can reset your whole day. Call it a “power pause” if that helps you embrace it. You’re not lazy - you’re strategic.

Protect Your Yes

Burnout often stems from boundary-blurring. If your calendar looks like a losing game of Tetris, it might be time to start practising the magical art of saying “not this time”. You don’t need a justification. “I’m at capacity” is a full sentence.

Drink Some Water

Tired? You might just be dehydrated and running on oat milk and caffeine. Add a glass of water to your routine. Revolutionary stuff, I know.

A Final Word (Before You Go Have a Lie Down)

Being constantly tired doesn’t mean you’re broken. It might just mean you’ve been running on empty for too long, and you’re overdue a bit of TLC - the kind that comes with snacks, naps, better boundaries, and less people-pleasing.

So the next time you catch yourself wondering, “Is it just me?” - remember this: it’s not. And maybe, just maybe, we can all start being a little gentler with ourselves.

Now go drink some water. Or have a nap. Or both.