Social Battery: 0%

(Please plug in and try again later)

Lately, I’ve been feeling like I’m drowning under the weight of social expectations and obligations — and I don’t even like swimming.

Work is a full-on chaos parade right now, and between that and being a parent, I finish each day with the energy levels of a broken toaster. The kind that just flashes red and refuses to do anything useful.

By the weekend, I’m so beyond drained that even the thought of socialising feels like being asked to run a marathon… uphill… in flip-flops… after pulling an all-nighter.

And yet, not socialising leaves me swimming in guilt — guilt that I’m letting down the people I love, even if it’s just temporary. Guilt that I’m slowly detaching from friends I care about deeply, simply because I don’t have the bandwidth to be present right now.

I’m the type of person who thrives on being there for others.

My personality type is all about emotional support, deep chats, and acts of care. So when I don’t have the capacity to show up in those ways — when my emotional tank is scraping fumes — it feels like I’m failing at being me.

Which is… a lot.

Like, brain-weeping-on-the-floor levels of a lot.

I haven’t had proper quality time with my friends in a while. They understand, bless them, but I can sense the gentle strain — those tiny fissures that form after one too many reschedules.

I haven’t seen my family in even longer. They get me, and love me for who I am, but when they say how much they miss me… oof. Knife, heart, twist.

Here’s the thing:

I miss them too. Probably more than they realise.

But I’m juggling a lot right now. And some days I’m not so much juggling as… dropping things and pretending it was an intentional trick.

I just want to hide from the world, honestly. I know hiding isn’t the answer — not long term. But right now? I am craving quiet.

I need a little space to stop the emotional static and figure out how to climb out of this energy pit I’ve fallen into.

Not to shut people out.

But to find my footing again.

So here’s what I’m trying to remind myself (on repeat, like a motivational Spotify playlist):

• The right people will understand that I can’t always show up.

• Taking care of myself first doesn’t mean I love anyone else any less.

• Balance is possible. I just need a minute (or twelve) to get back to it.

If your social battery is also flatlining — hey, you’re not alone.

We’re just quietly recharging over here, one deep breath (and one cancelled plan) at a time. 💛