There was a morning not too long ago when I found myself fully dressed—hair done, glam complete, coffee in hand—but emotionally paralyzed. It was 10:20 AM, and I sat on the floor of my closet wondering, “Why can’t I move?”
I thought I was lazy.
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But deep down, I knew I wasn’t. I was depleted. Not just physically tired, but mentally and emotionally drained from constantly giving and rarely receiving. Sound familiar?
If you’ve ever asked yourself why you’re so tired even when you’re “doing everything right,” let me affirm something: you’re not lazy. You’re just low on energy. And in today’s world—between motherhood, content creation, 9-to-5 jobs, and the pressure to do it all—that makes perfect sense.
But there’s good news. You can create energy. You can stop chasing hustle and start building habits that restore you instead of emptying you.
The 4 E’s of Everyday Energy
I call them the 4 E’s—Eat, Exercise, Exhale, Edit. These are small but mighty practices that can help you shift from exhaustion to overflow.
1. EAT: Fuel, Not Just Fillers
Let’s start with what’s on your plate. If you’re surviving off coffee and crackers, your body is waving a white flag.
Food is not just a comfort—it’s your fuel. Prioritize protein in the morning. Stay hydrated. Skip the sugar spikes that leave you crashing by noon. Energy begins in your bloodstream.
Meal prep isn’t about perfection. It’s about preparation. Even prepping one nourishing breakfast option can set the tone for your whole day.
2. EXERCISE: Move to Make Energy
Movement creates momentum. It doesn’t have to be a full-on workout class—just 10 minutes of stretching, walking, or dancing counts.
I always say: “The energy you’re looking for is in the workout you keep avoiding.”
Don’t move for performance—move for your peace. Whether it’s a dance break between meetings or a brisk walk before breakfast, motion changes your emotion.
3. EXHALE: Release to Recharge
This one is deeply emotional and often overlooked. If you’re constantly holding space for everyone—your kids, your partner, your team—but never for yourself, no wonder you’re exhausted.
Exhaling is breathwork. It’s boundaries. It’s that 3-minute prayer before you dive into your inbox. Taking a moment to breathe helps you be—not just do.
Because if you don’t pause on purpose, life will force you to pause in ways you didn’t plan for.
4. EDIT: Design a Day That Supports You
Let’s talk about your schedule. Is it full of things that drain you or things that energize you?
Use the MAGIC framework:
- Morning margins (slow start)
- Aligned tasks (do what matters)
- Gratefulness routines (reflect and refocus)
- Intentional movement (daily momentum)
- Calming closers (winding down well)
Your calendar should reflect what gives you life—not just what needs to get done.
You don’t need more hustle. You need more habits.
You’re not tired of doing too much. You’re tired of doing too much that doesn’t restore you.
So here’s your challenge: do one thing today that gives you energy. Go for a walk. Eat a nourishing meal. Set one boundary. Say yes to something small that brings you joy.
Because energy isn’t found—it’s created through the choices you make, one aligned habit at a time.
📩 Want daily support in building these habits? Join my private community, Mattie James And More, where we live this out together.
