Why Are We All Suddenly 'Tired'?
Everywhere you turn, someone is tired.
At work, it’s “I’m so tired.”
At home, “I’m just tired.”
Online, it’s tweets about being tired, even when nothing major has happened.
It’s starting to feel like “tired” is the new Nigerian hello. But are we really that tired, or has it become a lazy way to explain a deeper problem?
Think about it. Many of those who say they’re tired haven't even left their chairs. They're tired before the day starts. Sometimes it’s not physical tiredness, like those in busy cities like Lagos would say, it’s boredom, anxiety, and mental overload wrapped up in one easy word.
We say we’re tired because it’s easier than saying, “I’m confused.” Or “I’m uninspired.” Or even, “I’m scared that nothing is working out.”
Tiredness has become a mask for a lot of things we don’t want to admit.
And because everyone else is tired too, nobody questions it.
The truth is: life today feels like a pressure cooker. News never stops, the economy is rough, and everyone’s expected to be successful by 25. Even the break you take feels like a competition. Think about someone asking “Did you travel? Did you rest properly? Are you married?”
In reality, it is normal to feel drained. But hiding behind "I'm tired" doesn’t solve anything.
Sometimes you need to call it what it really is.
Maybe you're restless because you want more.
Maybe you're not tired — you're uninspired.
Maybe you're worried about tomorrow, but don’t know how to say it out loud.
Next time you’re about to say “I’m tired,” pause and ask yourself what’s really going on.
You might find better words and better solutions waiting for you.
