In the quiet of the night, when the world seems to slow down, I often find myself reflecting on the day’s rush, the unending tasks, and the pervasive feeling of tiredness that seems to cloud my mind. It’s not the physical exhaustion that weighs heavily upon me; it’s a more profound sense of weariness, a quiet question that lingers in the back of my mind: “Why do I feel so drained?”
In this article, I share a bit of the struggle with trying to find motivation to feel satisfied about work and hobbies. I’ve learned over the years that this is a common experience, and the symptom is often a general feeling of malaise, of emotional emptiness. Not exactly depression, but a flat lined outlook. Where does the rest come from?
Key Points Summary:
- The feelings of tiredness and lack of motivation often stem not from doing too much, but from disconnecting from activities that genuinely ignite our passion.
- Reconnecting with meaningful hobbies can reignite joy, provide solace, and restore a sense of purpose in our lives. Yet, misplaced energy and value in any activity (including hobbies) is also an empty path.
- Knowing the purpose in a thing is what meaning and restores passion. Look for purpose.
Read on to learn more. I hope this helps.
Too Exhausted to Start, Anything?
As the day closes to bed time, I spend a few minutes reflecting on things (trying not to think about work). And it’s during these reflective moments that I’m often drawn to my miniature painting desk. It’s a place of “fun work” and where I draw inspiration in that I will always have an opportunity to do something that I can do “good enough”. There’s no judgement there for me.
(Admittedly, avoiding social media is going to always be a struggle during this closing periods of the day. This is a topic for another time.)
You may think the hobby of painting miniatures would be the “sanctuary”, a kind of cliche term nowadays for escaping life’s chaos and “dangers”. But, to follow the term, there are times when even this sanctuary feels distant. The joy of creating, of immersing myself in a world of color and imagination, is sometimes overshadowed by a nagging sense of futility. “Does it even matter?” I find myself wondering.
The Paradox of Life and Hobbies
There are times when I’m too exhausted to pick up a brush. Emotional and mental drain, perhaps; but I’ve come to the conclusion that these are the times where I question the value of doing things.
Sure, I may say to myself that I’m working too hard (the day job or whatever) and I need to take a break. But, no! It’s weird, the hobby of painting miniatures is supposed to be the break, and yet I’m not engaging because…I’m “too tired”.
READ MORE: MOTIVATION AND CREATIVE SLUMPS (THINGS TO TRY)
And, so I’ve learned that hobbies easily fall in the same boat as anything else we feel unmotivated to do. Maybe it’s a paradox of our passions, I tell myself. Miniature painting, scale modeling, all those creative and artsy things have the power to heal and yet can also be a problematic area when we feel drained to do them. There’s a guilt there, too.
Hobbies (and art in general) are a paradox, providing an escape and a cage of emotional turmoil.
Humans are Upside-down thinkers
An upside-down thinker is someone who turns a solution into a problem. Also known as a cynic to many, such individuals always find the negative in a positive situation. We all do this naturally; and it comes from a survival instinct. Danger always lurks around the corner, in the shadows, and we must be ready to fight or run. This is a genetic trait, stronger in some, weaker in others, but the need to be prepared for battle is always present in all.
And, so the cynic is also a realist. Reality says that “we have to do things” to survive and thrive.
Taking this point further into the realm of painting miniatures, hobbies, what-not pass times, it’s evident that the weird need for significance beyond survival is powerful. We need to feel things outside of the fight or flight in our everyday lives. This is a meta-physical problem that I think only human beings experience.
Let me explain.
The need to experience More
Transcendence involves a state of existence or consciousness that surpasses the primal flight or fight instinct inherent in humans. It represents an elevated state where one's reactions and perceptions are not dictated by the immediate, survival-oriented responses of fear or aggression.
I’ve come to realize that the miniature painting hobby, much like life, is replete with its own set of emotional pitfalls. There are nights when the solitude of painting is a welcome respite, a silent companion in the quiet hours. The miniatures, the tools, the doodads on my desk become more than just objects; they are tangible aspects of a something I can do that doesn’t bear any resemblance to “responsibility”.
To play, to be a child, to experience “new”.
A reason to have hobbies
Yet, this hobby, the time and place, is not immune to the doubt and the weight of harder questions. There are moments when the very hobby that offers escape turns into a mirror, reflecting back the questions I often avoid. “Is my passion merely a distraction? Am I investing my time wisely, or am I simply adorning the hours with intricate details that, in the grand scheme of things, hold little weight?”
I think is “dual problem”, the paradox of life is shared with anyone who has the time and inclination to think about it. Yes, you think too much. But, again, there really is a link between those of who are creative and the apprehension of living. It’s a delicate dance between finding joy in the act of creation and grappling with the lurking feeling that, perhaps, our creations are mere whispers, meaningless.
The bottomline? Hobbies from “a big picture” vantage point suffers the same existential problems as a boring, thankless day job.
Understanding the Impact
Everyone gets tired. World events, local traumas in the day-to-day, wear us down. There is no respite from reality. It bites. Hard.
And while you know you’re not alone, the experience is personal.
Here, we are. The tiredness, the lack of motivation, it’s not merely a symptom of physical exhaustion but I think it is a symptom (a signal?) from our psyche (our soul?) to stop and be still. It’s a milestone or billboard calling us to stop and smell the roses.
That’s what I think. Believe.
The truth is, our spirits don’t just crave rest; they yearn for meaning, for activities that light a spark within us, that remind us of the joy of creation, the beauty of expression, and the tranquility of being present.
The cliches are strong with me, as I write. Ugh. Anyway, you get what I’m sayin’.
But perhaps, that’s the point. There’s nothing new under the Sun.
Struggling with Your Hobby and Life Won’t End, Ever
I wake up, do the things that people do in my culture and world, and then prepare and gather up the things we need to repeat the day again by getting the food, the shelter, and the companionship we need.
The struggle won’t end, but you can find reprieve. There’s rest to be had.
Then, I stop and use my spare time (oh such a luxury!) to make a bit of this and that; put some paint color on this thing, and show it off to whomever is curious or interested. Then, I’ll ponder this object in my hand, this miniature I worked on, judge it, and then put it aside.
Only then, do I realize I may want to do another painting all over again, but a tad differently. And, maybe not better; instead, I want change it up so I’m not repeating myself.
I want to learn. I want to grow. Discover. That is why I engage with the hobby over and over again: To play; to be a kid again; to experience “new”.
Learn your Clear, unassailable MIssion in everything
Every act, thought should have a direction, a Mission. I think along the way, I’m easily distracted, side-tracked, hijacked by “busy-ness”. It doesn’t matter why or how that happens. Maybe I’m built and wired a certain way. My environment is certainly a huge factor.
But, it doesn’t matter. A worthwhile mission doesn’t change easily until it is complete. (
When I’m exhausted, non-physically, I have to stop and recalibrate. I don’t need to change my behavior, necessarily. I may still need to do all the tasks and responsibilities, but I also need to know “why” or “for what reason” I’m doing those things…and for whom.
What’s the solution for daily exhaustion, the burnout experience in doing things, hobbies or otherwise?
Ask and answer this question: “What’s your mission and who is it for?”
Write your answer down everyday. Even if the mission and who you’re doing it for changes, what you write down becomes a roadmap that will help steer your perspective and alleviate that nagging burden that bugs your brain, your psyche, your soul.
The more important the mission and the healthier the relationship with the person you’re doing whatever it is for, the better you’ll feel. You’ll experience more passion, fire, and a rewarding hope in everything you do.
Final Thoughts
In moments when the hobby (or life) starts to feel like another task, a thing that brings no feeling of reward, a reframe in perspective is needed. Take a pause for a three seconds to remember and solidify why you’re doing a certain thing, a job, a creative task, an errand.
Remembering why we started painting in the first place can reignite the passion that may have dimmed. Was it the joy of bringing a figure to life, the peace found in the brush strokes, or the satisfaction of a completed project? Recalling these initial sparks of joy can be a reminder. Start a journal, maybe like parts of this blog.
I know I’m leaving this a bit open ended. A part of that reason is I know that the solution for that nameless exhaustion isn’t a one-size fits all. I hope this bit of a introspective journey did open things up for you. There’s an opportunity to recollect, to calibrate how we react to life, to the pass times and the job of it all.
If you’re wondering what to do next, maybe confused about how to solve “a problem”, try writing it down like I just did. Share what you learn and connect!
Comments and feedback are always welcome! Let me know with a message below or contact us.
Tangible Day on YouTube (Miniatures and More!)
Thanks for highlighting an important issue, well said.