I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror today and had to laugh. Not a joyful laugh, but one of those tired chuckles that says, Well, this is what we’re working with. My eyes have that unmistakable heaviness, dark circles subtly painting their way underneath like an artist who didn't quite finish the job. My hair, somehow, has both too much volume and absolutely none at all—messy but not in the effortless way people admire. And my posture? A slouch that screams, I need sleep.
It’s funny how exhaustion sneaks up on you. You don’t always notice it until you see yourself through an unfiltered lens. Maybe it’s been a few too many late nights, a few too many hours scrolling when I should be resting, or maybe it’s just life. There’s something oddly comforting about knowing that most people can relate—everyone has had that moment of looking in the mirror and realizing just how drained they appear.
I suppose there’s a difference between being tired and looking tired. I’ve had days when I was exhausted, but adrenaline kept me moving. Today, though, I look tired, which means the wear and tear is visible. No amount of concealer is fixing this. No strategically placed lighting is changing the fact that my body is practically waving a white flag.
It makes me wonder—why do we push ourselves to this point? We joke about exhaustion like it’s a badge of honor, like staying up too late or working too much somehow validates us. “Oh, you got eight hours of sleep? Must be nice,” we say with sarcasm, as if rest is some unattainable luxury rather than a basic human need. Society glorifies being busy, and I guess I’ve fallen into that trap too.
But as much as I laugh at my own reflection, there’s a part of me that wants to take it seriously. Maybe looking tired is a sign to slow down. Maybe my body is practically begging for me to listen. There’s a difference between pushing through and pushing too far. And if I’m being honest, I probably crossed that line a while ago.
So, what’s the solution? A nap? A full night of sleep? A vacation to an island with no responsibilities? (That last one sounds particularly appealing.) Realistically, I know I can’t just drop everything, but I can try to be kinder to myself. Maybe that means closing my laptop a little earlier tonight. Maybe it’s drinking more water, eating better, or just letting myself rest without guilt.
Because at the end of the day, I don’t want to just look less tired. I want to be less tired. I want to feel awake, energized, alive. And if the only way to do that is by taking better care of myself,; maybe it’s time I actually do.
Haha, I look SO tired—but maybe, just maybe, I don’t have to stay that way.
Let me know if you’d like any adjustments!
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