Fatigue Isn’t Sleepiness — It’s Shutdown.

🌤️ DAY: Pretending You’re Fine

• You wake up tired. Not groggy — exhausted at a cellular level.

• You do the math: How long can I fake it today before the shutdown starts?

• You make coffee. You forget the coffee. You microwave the same mug twice.

• You answer emails. You forget words mid-sentence.

• You walk through your day like it’s underwater.

• You smile at people. They say, “You look great.”

• You wonder if your body will forgive you tonight.

🌒 NIGHT: When the Shutdown Hits

• The moment you sit down, your joints scream.

• The moment you lie down, your brain lights up.

• You’re beyond tired. You’re hollowed out.

• You can’t move. You can’t rest. You can’t explain it.

• Your body is done negotiating. It starts cutting the power.

• You cry in the dark. Or maybe you just stare at the ceiling and go numb.

• You remind yourself: this isn’t weakness. It’s a system crash.

🧠 What We Wish They Knew:

• Fatigue is not being sleepy. It’s being drained of your existence.

• This isn’t about motivation — it’s about biology.

• This isn’t solved by naps — it’s managed by grief, pacing, and stubborn grace.

🔥 Hot Plate, Cold Nerves: Survival Toast

When your body is offline but your stomach isn’t.

• Bread

• Butter, jam, peanut butter — whatever

• Bonus if you manage to toast it

• Extra bonus if you eat it before falling asleep mid-chew

Toast is a hug with crusts.

🗣️ Journal Prompt: