How Do I Stop Feeling Lazy When I’m Actually Just Mentally Tired?
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Question:
Hi!
I struggle with feeling “lazy” on my days off. How do I stop feeling like I am being “lazy” when I am really mentally tired?
Thank you!
Jenny
Answer:
Hi Jenny!
Thank you for your questions. We’ve all had those days, the ones where you’re staring at your to-do list, willing yourself to care, and feeling guilty because you “should” be doing more. But here’s the truth: most people who call themselves lazy are actually exhausted.
Your brain works like any other part of your body, it uses energy to focus, plan, make decisions, and regulate emotions. When that energy runs low, it’s not a character flaw; it’s a signal that your mental battery is drained. And yet, because we live in a culture that glorifies hustle, we often mistake fatigue for failure.
1. Call It What It Is
You can’t fix what you mislabel. If you keep calling exhaustion “laziness,” you’ll shame yourself for something that rest could solve.
Try saying, “I’m mentally drained right now,” instead of “I’m being lazy.” Naming what’s really happening shifts you from judgment to awareness.
2. Rest Intentionally
Your brain needs downtime to process information and recharge creativity. That doesn’t mean lying on the couch scrolling for three hours; that’s numbing, not resting.
Rest can be quiet (like a nap, reading, or journaling) or active (like walking, stretching, or listening to music). The key is giving your brain a true break from pressure.
3. Redefine Productivity
Productivity isn’t about doing more it’s about doing what matters, with clarity and purpose.
A ten-minute break, a smaller to-do list, or one completed task done well can be far more productive than pushing through mental fatigue and burning out completely.
4. Remember: Rest Is a Strategy
Just like athletes recover between workouts, your mind performs better after rest. The strongest people don’t push endlessly, they refuel strategically.
Tenacious Takeaway
You’re not lazy. You’re human and humans need recovery time.
When you start treating rest as part of your resilience plan, you stop feeling guilty for slowing down and start feeling proud of protecting your energy. That’s not giving up; that’s self-care.
Until next time, please remember to take care of yourself and be kind to your mind.
If this topic hit home, these Tenacious CLE workbooks might help you take the next step:
So, You Have Imposter Syndrome, Now What?
So, You’re a Parent, Now What?
