This Isn’t a Midlife Crisis, I Just Need a Nap and a New Routine

There are days when I look at my to-do list, stare blankly at my screen, and suddenly wonder, “Wait… am I okay?” I start spiraling: Am I in the right career? Am I doing enough? Should I be learning five new skills right now? Maybe I should move to another city and start over?? But no. I’m not having a midlife crisis. I’m just exhausted — mentally, emotionally, spiritually — and what I really need is a proper nap and a routine that doesn’t leave me running on fumes.

 The Burnout Loop Is Too Real Being a student, working on side projects, trying to stay social, and still have time for self-care? That combo isn’t cute when it’s poorly balanced. Burnout doesn’t always come with big dramatic symptoms. Sometimes it’s just that constant feeling of meh. You’re showing up, but you’re not fully in it. Your spark is dim. Your brain is fried. Your joy feels… far. And society doesn’t help — productivity culture says if you’re not building something, fixing something, or reinventing yourself every five minutes, you’re falling behind. I recently read an article that said we've normalized burnout to the point where feeling constantly overwhelmed is seen as a badge of honor, and that hit me hard. Like, why is being exhausted now a personality trait? Can we be real for a second? Some of us are just trying to function without crying at 3 a.m. because a deadline snuck up and our brain decided to check out.

A Little Help From Science (and a Good Book) I’ve also been reading Habit Hacks: Building Positive Routines and Breaking Negativity by David Lewis — and wow, it’s been a game-changer. If you’re looking to understand how your brain works when it comes to habits (the good and the self-sabotaging kind), this book breaks it down so well. He talks about identifying both destructive and constructive patterns and how creating simple, effective daily rituals can totally shift your energy and productivity. It's been helping me slowly build routines that serve me, not stress me out. (And yes, I’ll definitely do a little review when I finish it.)

Resetting My Routine (Soft Girl Edition) I gave my days a makeover. Not a Pinterest-perfect aesthetic routine — but a realistic one that works for me:

Adding time blocks for focused work and guilt-free breaks. Dedicating one day a week for rest, no matter what.

Making space for quiet — journaling, walks, prayer, stillness. I also learned that routines should serve me, not suffocate me.

 Flexibility is key. Some days, I’m productive and on fire. Other days, I’m proud just for drinking enough water. Both are valid. You’re Allowed to Outgrow Your Own Habits The routines that got you here might not be the ones to take you forward — and that’s okay. Growth means change. If something in your life feels too heavy or unaligned, you don’t need to burn it all down. You can start by tweaking the little things.

 Sometimes self-reinvention isn’t about becoming someone new — it’s about coming back to yourself. So no, this isn’t a midlife crisis. I’m not moving to the mountains or buying a motorcycle (yet). I’m just learning to listen to my body, protect my peace, and rework my rhythm — one nap at a time. Burnout doesn’t win here. Softness does. Rest does. Realignment does.

If you loved the read, leave a like— and maybe take that nap you’ve been avoiding.