It’s been a while since I’ve written anything here.

Life has been moving, as it always does—but lately, I’ve found myself feeling still inside. Not the peaceful kind of stillness. The kind that comes from sheer mental exhaustion.

Work has been intense. I come home feeling like I’ve left all of myself in the hospital corridors. And while caring for a sick child isn’t the most difficult thing I’ve ever done, the layering of everything—the mental load of work, the emotional load of motherhood—has left me depleted.

My daughter has been having belly aches for a while now. They say it’s adenitis—swollen lymph nodes from some sort of inflammatory process, likely from an infection. I keep wondering: what infection? What did I miss?

But more than the medical side, what hits me hardest is the weight I’ve been carrying inside. You know the kind. That tiredness that doesn’t go away with sleep.

So I’ve been asking myself—what do we do on days like this? When our minds are tired, our spirits are flat, and our bodies are screaming for pause?

Sometimes, I just collapse into the couch with my daughter and let the world move without me. Other times, I try to distract my brain with small things—solitaire, coloring, a soft playlist in the background. Nothing too big. Nothing that needs effort. Just something that gently says, you’re allowed to rest.

If you’ve been feeling like this too, here are some gentle things you can try to soften the edges of mental fatigue:

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Ways to Soothe a Mentally Exhausted Mind

1. Give Yourself Permission to Do Nothing

Not every moment needs to be productive. Sometimes doing nothing is the most healing thing you can do. Sit. Breathe. Stare out the window. That’s enough.

2. Low-Effort, High-Comfort Activities

Play a game like solitaire or sudoku. Watch a familiar show. Listen to calming music or ambient nature sounds. Light a candle. These sensory comforts can ground us without requiring much energy.

3. Color, Doodle, or Journal

No need for masterpieces—just putting pen to paper can be healing. Color outside the lines. Scribble. Write nonsense if you need to. Let your mind release what it’s holding.

4. Connect Without Pressure

Talk to someone who doesn’t need you to be “on.” A child, a friend, a pet—even if it’s just sitting together in silence. Being near safe, kind energy matters.

5. Do a Body Scan and Breathe

Lie down and check in with each part of your body. Where is the tension? Where is the pain? Breathe into it. Just five minutes of this can reset your nervous system.

6. Nourish Gently

Eat something warm and soothing. Drink a tea that feels like a hug. You don’t have to cook a full meal—just give your body something to say, I’m taking care of you.

7. Sleep Without Shame

If your body says nap—nap. If it says go to bed at 7:30 PM—do it. Sleep is medicine, and you deserve it.

We often forget that our minds can break down just like our bodies. And unlike a cold or a stomach ache, mental exhaustion is invisible. But it’s real. And it needs care.

Tonight, I’ll lie next to my daughter again. I’ll hold her a little closer, knowing that sometimes, healing isn’t found in doing more—but in doing less, together.

If you’re tired, I see you.

If you’re overwhelmed, I understand.

If all you can do today is breathe—you’ve done enough.

With love and rest,

Michelle