Do you really want to know how I feel?

Tired of people telling me what to do, as if I don’t already have a million things on my list.

Tired of hearing “It’ll only take a minute” when that minute stretches into an hour, or worse, a week.

Tired of the “just one more thing” that always ends up being “ten more things.”

I’m tired…

Tired of explaining myself every time I say no, like I need to justify every decision.

Tired of the same questions: “Why aren’t you smiling?” “Why don’t you come out?”

Tired of my responses always feeling like they need to be wrapped in politeness to avoid conflict.

I’m tired…

Tired of finding excuses for people who never seem to find their own.

Tired of the apologies I have to give when I’m the one who’s been wronged.

Tired of waiting for the people who say they’ll show up but never do.

I’m tired…

Tired of being the “go-to” person, the one everyone leans on, only to realize I have no one to lean on myself.

Tired of playing the role of the problem-solver when I haven’t even figured out my own problems yet.

Tired of putting others first, only to end up last on my own to-do list.

I’m tired…

Tired of always being the nice person, always the one to listen, to help, to care.

Tired of pretending everything’s fine when I’m struggling to keep it together.

Tired of being the one who says, “It’s okay,” when it’s not.

I’m tired…

Tired of being disrespected, tired of my kindness being mistaken for weakness.

Tired of trying to keep the peace, only to have people take advantage of it.

Tired of being the one who always lets things slide, even when I should speak up.

I’m tired...

Tired of the calendar that keeps multiplying—appointments, meetings, birthdays, events—and all the empty promises of “later.”

Tired of the never-ending hustle that wears down the soul but doesn’t leave a trace of fulfillment behind.

Tired of the pressure to always be on top, always be more, when sometimes less is all I can manage.

I’m tired…

Tired of hearing “You’re doing great” when I’m barely holding it together.

Tired of being told to “just relax” like it’s that simple, like a switch can be flipped and all the stress will vanish.

Tired of pretending I’ve got it all under control when inside, I’m drowning in the chaos.

I’m tired …

Tired of being asked if I’m “okay” when it’s obvious I’m not.

Tired of smiling through the exhaustion, pretending like the weight of it all doesn’t show on my face.

Tired of acting like I’ve got endless energy when the only thing I’m running on is empty.

I’m tired…

Tired of feeling like I’m walking on eggshells around people who are supposed to be family, pretending that everything is fine when it’s anything but.

Tired of the tension in the room, the unspoken words that hang in the air, making me second-guess every step I take.

Tired of trying to please everyone, only to realize I’ve left myself behind in the process.

I’m tired.

Tired of always feeling guilty, of blaming myself for not replying or giving my “two cents” on the spot.

Tired of thinking about the answers I could have given in the moment, but instead, I just got angry and cried.

Tired of the weight of things unsaid, of the moments I didn’t seize.

I’m tired…

But the thing is, I’m starting to realize something.

I’m tired, yes.

But maybe that’s okay. Maybe I don’t have to do it all.

Maybe I can say no and not explain myself.

Maybe I can stop finding excuses for people who don’t deserve them.

Maybe I can rest without feeling guilty.

Maybe I’m tired, but that doesn’t mean I’m defeated.

I’m tired.

And for once, I’m letting myself be.