Running on empty feels productive.
You’re moving. Things are getting done.
But there’s no margin.
No curiosity.
No patience left to borrow from.
When the tank is empty, everything costs more.
Small tasks feel heavy.
Decisions take longer than they should.
This isn’t a motivation problem.
It’s a capacity problem.
Rest isn’t the reward for finishing.
It’s the requirement for starting well.
You don’t refuel by pushing harder.
You refuel by stopping long enough to notice what you’ve been ignoring.
Running on empty is a signal.
Not a badge.
Who this is for?
Anyone mistaking endurance for progress.
One action:
Cancel or postpone one nonessential task today and use that time to recover something you’ve been spending without noticing.
🎵 The Distance – Cake
📘 Burnout – Emily Nagoski
JANUARY 14, 2026