Do you ever feel guilty for being tired?

Not just tired from doing too much.
But tired from doing something
you’ve wanted to do for a long time.

Something that matters.

Something you don’t even get to do every day.

And somehow, that makes the tiredness feel heavier.

Because it doesn’t feel like something
you’re allowed to be worn down by.

It feels like something you should just be grateful for.

And I am.

I am grateful.

But I’m also tired.

And I’m starting to realize
those two things can exist at the same time.

That being thankful
doesn’t cancel out being human.

That doing something meaningful
doesn’t mean it won’t still take something out of you.

And maybe the guilt
comes from thinking it’s supposed to feel easier than it does.

But maybe it’s not.

Maybe it’s just something I’m learning how to hold.

Gratitude
and exhaustion
at the same time.

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