You’re Not Really Tired, You’re Just Avoiding

It’s easy to mistake exhaustion for avoidance. When tasks pile up or emotions get heavy, our minds often trick us into feeling “tired” as a way to dodge discomfort. But what if that fatigue isn’t physical? Recognizing this subtle self-sabotage can be a game-changer.

• Name the feeling beneath fatigue: Instead of defaulting to “I’m tired,” pause and ask, “What am I really avoiding?” Naming it makes it less sneaky.
  
  

• Break tasks into tiny, non-threatening actions: Overwhelm fuels avoidance. Tiny steps lower the mental barrier to starting.
  
  

• Use the “5-minute rule”: Commit to doing just five minutes of the dreaded task. Often, starting is all it takes to shift momentum.
  
  

• Reframe discomfort as growth: Discomfort signals you’re stretching. Embrace it as a sign of progress, not failure.
  
  

• Visualize the relief post-action: Picture how good it will feel when the task is done. Let that feeling pull you forward.
  
  

Avoidance feels like fatigue, but clarity and intentional action reveal your real energy. You’re more capable than you think.