I’m exhausted. I’m writing this from bed. 😴

I’ve had a lot of chats with people in my life who are feeling exhausted at the moment and I thought I’d write on this topic.

We are still in the season of winter—the time for hibernation and rest. It's normal to need more rest during this period. The nature is resting from blooming, so you need that, too. Similarly, women need additional rest during their inner winter, menstruation, as it's a natural part of the monthly cycle.

I’m in my inner winter as we speak, so it’s no wonder I slept until 10:30am this morning. I needed the extra sleep. Writing this letter feels a bit stiffer also because winter is not the optimal time to create. I am accepting it though, even though it frustrates me this feels so stiff and words don’t flow as easily as when I’m in my spring or summer.

I just wrote last week about accepting and not resisting our reality, so here’s question for this week:

What could happen if we accepted that we feel exhausted at times, we connect with it and find the right way to rest through it with more ease?

Let’s explore this, shall we?

Firstly, what is exhaustion?

Exhaustion is a feeling of extreme fatigue or tiredness that can impact daily activities.

What is rest?

According to Emily Nagoski’s writing in Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle, "Rest is, quite simply, when you stop using a part of you that’s used up, worn out, damaged, or inflamed, so that it has a chance to renew itself."

Step 1: Recognize the type of exhaustion you're feeling.

1. Physical Exhaustion: Results from intense activity or insufficient rest, leading to muscle fatigue and decreased energy.

2. Mental Fatigue: Stemming from prolonged cognitive efforts, it manifests as brain fog and reduced concentration.

3. Emotional Exhaustion: Caused by managing intense emotions or supporting others, leading to feelings of overwhelm.

4. Social Fatigue: Arises from excessive social interactions, prompting a need for solitude.

5. Sensory Overload: Continuous exposure to stimuli like screens and noise can overwhelm the senses.

Step 2: Choose the right type of rest for your needs.

Addressing each type of exhaustion requires specific approaches:

1. Physical Rest: Incorporate quality sleep and gentle activities like yoga and stretching to rejuvenate the body.

2. Mental Rest: Take regular breaks, practice mindfulness, and engage in activities that energize your mind, such as playing a fun game, painting, or going on a walk that allows your mind to focus in a restful way.

3. Emotional Rest: Set boundaries to protect your emotional health. Balance deep, intense conversations with lighthearted ones, or unwind by watching a humorous show or reading a light book.

4. Social Rest: Balance social engagements with alone time to recharge.

5. Sensory Rest: Reduce screen time, social media time, and spend time in quiet environments to alleviate sensory overload.

For all of the above: ask for help. Being supported and held, within trusted, loving, and accepting company, can sometimes do the trick. If you’re yearning for this, I have four spots available in my Connected Circle this Thursday happening at the Bath House where we do just that.

Self-Connection questions to connect and move through this:

• Which of the five types of exhaustion are you experiencing most right now?

• What form of rest do you need to move from exhaustion to feeling energized?

• What one action or habit can you put in place to give yourself what you need?

By identifying the specific type of exhaustion we're experiencing and finding the right way for rest, we can transition from a state of fatigue to more sustained energy quicker.

Remember: Sometimes, rest is the best progress we can make.

Reply to this email and let me know how you’re giving yourself extra rest this week. xx

With love, Essi

PS: I've previously written about rest and burnout, if you want to dive in deeper; you can check it out here.

🫀 THE CONNECTED CIRCLE: A Space to Be You 🫀

I am so excited for this collaboration with the Bath House to host our first ever Connected Circle: A Place to Be You!

This is a 2-hour sharing circle designed to foster authentic connections through meditation, Oracle cards, and meaningful conversations. This experience is co-created by all participants, focusing on genuine, real-time sharing.

📅 Thursday, February 27th
⏳ 7pm-9pm | 2 Hours of Collective Togetherness - arrivals by 6:50pm to start promptly on time.
📍 The Bath House | Hackney Wick

WHO IS THIS FOR?

This is a space for anyone who longs for meaningful, heartful connection—beyond small talk, beyond surface-level interactions. Here, we create a brave, nonjudgmental space where you can show up exactly as you are, be seen, be heard, and simply be held.

This is a safe, inclusive space—welcoming every kind of brain, body, background, belief, identity, and experience. Whether you are neurodivergent, disabled, LGBTQIA+, a person of color, from any faith or none, or from any cultural or socioeconomic background, you belong here.

Come as you are, exactly as you are.

There’s no pressure to talk—sometimes, just being present is enough. This is a space where silence is honored, stories are welcomed, and every emotion has room to exist.

AGENDA:

💛 Mindful Opening: Begin with a guided meditation to transition from 'doing' to 'being'.
💬 Connection Cards: Use oracle cards as prompts to ease into authentic sharing.
🤝 Sharing Circle: Engage in group discussions where you can share or listen as you feel comfortable.
👥 Pair and Trio Conversations: Connect in smaller groups for deeper, more intimate dialogues.
🧘‍♀️ Closing Meditation: Conclude with a restful meditation to integrate the evening's experiences.

✨ Reserve your spot now! Four spots left!