This is Why You’re Exhausted
The sound of the alarm blares.
You roll out of bed, blindly stumbling to the kitchen with just enough coherence to press the “start” button on the coffee machine. You chug the thick brown liquid, barely able to notice its beautiful richness.
Your heartbeat races…
You rush through a shower, throw on some clothes, grab your car keys, and run out the door at a pace on par with a bullet train.
You fight through traffic, white-knuckled and tense.
Arriving at work, you sit at a desk until every last ounce of your precious vitality is depleted.
You finally return home, exhausted and empty.
Does this feel familiar? It’s the rhythm so many of us have fallen into, and we’ve accepted it without question.
And yet, beyond the exhaustion, there’s another way of living—a way of steadiness, purpose, and clarity that waits for those brave enough to break the cycle…
“Are you aware that you are conditioned? That is the first thing to ask yourself…”
—J. Krishnamurti
The truth is that we were conditioned for this kind of burnout lifestyle right out of the womb…
We watched our parents, siblings, and loved ones do it. Then, when we entered our years of formal schooling, we began to do the same thing…
Rush to class before the bell rings. Quickly complete tests with sweaty palms. Sit at a desk for the entire day while our natural propensities for curiosity and exploration slowly wither. Obey the authority figure at the front of the classroom without question. Do not think outside the box. Do not challenge the system.
This training set us up perfectly for the workforce of the "real world," where we repeat the same soul-crushing pattern. Sit at a desk. Unquestioningly listen to the boss, even at our own detriment. Slowly become lifeless automatons.
These systems have methodically instilled the value of productivity over purpose.This unhealthy prioritization of productivity is reflected in modern statistics on burnout and anxiety, which show that 3 out of 4 workers feel burned out (Gallup, 2023).
And the exhaustion doesn't stay at work. It follows us home, ruining our sleep, damaging our hearts, and severing our relationships…
And still, we press on, having accepted this as "just the way things are"...
“Freedom is thus not a state of being, but a practice—a way of being in relation to oneself, to others and to the world.”
—Michel Foucault
So—how can we begin to change the narrative? What is the way out of the systems that so readily induce burnout?
Create your own systems.
Begin by turning inward. Think about something that truly inspires you—whether it's music, movement, storytelling, psychology, philosophy, craftsmanship, or helping others heal. What lights you up? (These discoveries can unfold through the psychotherapeutic process. Click here to schedule a session with Max.)
Get curious about it. Practice it every day, even if just for minutes at first. Gain the skills gradually. Read voraciously about it. Learn every nuance, every detail. Let your passion spill into conversations, into your way of seeing the world.
Train yourself to focus on what matters. Embrace the art of delayed gratification—the patient cultivation of something meaningful rather than the instant hit of distraction.
Then, slowly and deliberately, build something you care about. This might manifest as an artistic endeavor, a small company, or a nonprofit organization.
If you can give 8-10 hours a day to a company that doesn't care about you, then you can surely give 1-2 hours per day to a mission that you truly care about. Over time, those precious hours will compound into thousands, creating a sustainable system that not only feeds your soul but also sustains your life.
We colloquially call this entrepreneurship, but it’s really just creating something you care about that reflects the depths of who you are…
“Never lose sight of your long-term goals. With an elevated perspective, you will have the patience and clarity to reach almost any objective.”
—Robert Greene
The way of steadiness, purpose, and clarity is neither glamorous nor immediate. In fact, it requires devotion, regardless of how you feel or how motivated you are.
But with time, what you consistently water will grow.
As your inspiration grows, you start to reclaim a sense of vitality. That energy fuels your creativity. Your creativity becomes contribution. And your contribution leads to connection and fulfillment—not out of obligation, but from choice.
You are not a machine. You were never meant to merely survive your days.
You are here to create something meaningful. You are here to live a rhythm that nurtures your health, supports your well-being, expresses your creativity, and serves a deeper purpose.
May we choose to slow down, listen to what quietly calls, reclaim our precious vitality, and build a life of meaning from the inside out.
Max Kristopher Komes
www.MaxKomes.com
Max Komes is a master’s-level mental health professional and author in Pensacola, Florida. His philosophy is that each and every individual holds wellsprings of wisdom within them, and with the right tools, can access this wisdom to live purposeful, healthy, and resilient lives.
How You Can Support:
1-1 Session: if you find that these messages resonate with you, take the next step in rediscovering mental clarity by scheduling a session with Max.
Free Mental Health Resources: if you’re looking for more mental health tools like guided meditations and daily journals, visit our Free Resources Page.
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This writing is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. If you have imminent health concerns, please call 1-800-NAMI.
