Feeling Drained? Here’s My Go-To Routine for Regaining Balance
It’s 3:07 a.m., and my brain has decided this is the perfect time to list every half-finished task in my life. Personal projects. Family obligations. Work deadlines. It’s like the universe sent out a group text saying, “Meet at Albert’s head. Tonight.”
Usually, I’m organized enough to keep the noise down. But when enough demands line up across every corner of life, my neat systems don’t stop the 3 a.m. overthinking.
This week is one of those times. By the time you read this, I’ll be in a big meeting for work—one that required a long day of travel and a lot of planning. It’s a group activity I suggested… which means, of course, I’m the one running it.
Leading up to the trip, work was stacked with back-to-back meetings. In the middle of it, a gym tweak left a dull ache between my shoulder blades—a constant little gnat buzzing every time I turned the wrong way. Add in a couple of prescheduled personal events that filled my evenings, plus a full day out before travel, and the result was predictable: packing days ahead, rushing to finish this newsletter, and crossing my fingers I wasn’t forgetting something important.
And work travel never really stops at 5 p.m. There are always dinners, social hours, small talk—the part of the day when you’re supposed to be “on” even though your energy is running on fumes.
I don’t have weeks like this often. But when I do, I can feel myself shutting down as the end date approaches. No bright ideas. No “yes” to anything new. Just a quiet countdown to relief.
My Steady-Ground Reset
When life converges like this, here’s how I find my way back. It’s simple, but it works because it’s repeatable.
1. Protect the essentials
I make sure I’m prepared for the non-negotiables first. That means carving out time—stealing it from somewhere else if I have to—to get the critical tasks lined up.
2. Cut back where possible
I’ll skip a workout to make space in my day. I’ll trade the gym time for a longer evening and go to bed earlier, with time to read first. I always read fiction before sleep so my mind is enveloped in a story rather than non-fiction case studies or how-tos.
3. Stick to the basics
Healthy meals, staying hydrated, short walks, and occasional naps keep me grounded. They’re small, but they help restore a sense of control.
4. Add one pleasant thing
Whether it’s a quick photography session, a few paragraphs of writing, or another art project, I choose something that shifts my mind out of overdrive. I fill the background with non-lyrical music so I’m not distracted by words. Sometimes I’ll add a favorite scent in the air—just enough to change the mood in the room.
The 3 a.m. wakeups still happen for a bit. But combining these grounding moves with the simple truth that intense weeks do end brings calm back sooner. The key for me? Not waiting until I’m at my limit to start.
If you’ve had a week where everything collided, what’s your go-to move to get back to steady ground?
And if you're feeling overwhelmed not by business, but by an unexpected change that’s making you feel less in control, take a look at my other post: How to Stay Grounded During Unexpected Life Changes: From Panic to Purpose
