Embracing the Good Tired

Finding Gratitude in Exhaustion

There’s a unique kind of exhaustion that comes from a weekend filled with family, laughter, and joy. It’s the kind of tiredness that settles deep into your bones but brings with it a sense of fulfillment and warmth. Yet, when that good tired feeling collides with the weariness of a long day at work, it can leave you feeling utterly drained.

Yesterday was one of those days for me. A marathon board meeting stretched from mid-afternoon well into the evening, leaving me physically and mentally spent. As I finally left the office, the fatigue weighed heavily on me, casting a shadow over any plans I had for the evening.

Knowing I lacked the energy to cook a healthy meal, I made a pit stop at Oreganos, where I found solace in a hearty dinner and a glass of wine at the bar. Amidst the clatter of plates and murmurs of conversations, a call from my best friend provided a welcome reprieve. Even in the midst of exhaustion, those moments of connection are like gentle reminders of the love and support that surround us.

Home at last, I traded business attire for cozy pajamas, sinking into the familiar comfort of my couch. With a few mindless shows playing in the background, I let the day's stress melt away, surrendering to the embrace of sleep by 9:00 PM.

This morning, as I reluctantly peeled myself from the warmth of my bed, every muscle protested with soreness, and the weight of fatigue lingered. Yet, despite the heaviness of exhaustion, there was a quiet resilience within me. Each day brings its challenges, but as I reflect on the cherished moments of the weekend past, I find myself buoyed by gratitude and a renewed sense of purpose.

It’s moments like these that remind us of the beauty in life's ebb and flow. Yes, there will be days when exhaustion threatens to consume us, when the demands of work leave us feeling drained to our very core. But intertwined with those challenges are moments of laughter, connection, and love that sustain us through even the toughest of times.

So, as I prepare to face another day of work, I do so with a heart filled with gratitude for the weekends that recharge my spirit and the resilience that allows me to press on, one step at a time. For in the midst of exhaustion lies the beauty of being alive, of experiencing the full spectrum of emotions, and of finding joy even in the weariness of it all.