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Dear Annie: I am writing to you about something that I suspect many people wrestle with but rarely admit out loud: feeling completely drained by trying to “do it all.” On paper, my life looks fine. I have a steady job, a family I love and friends I try to keep up with. But in reality, I feel like I’m stretched so thin that I’m not fully present anywhere. At work, I’m behind on deadlines. At home, I’m guilty that I don’t spend enough quality time with my spouse or children. With friends, I cancel plans at the last minute because I just don’t have the energy. Everywhere I turn, there are messages telling me to “set boundaries,” “practice self-care” or “say no more often.” I try to follow that advice, but then I feel like I’m letting someone down. If I say no to my boss, I risk my job. If I say no to my kids, I feel like a bad parent. And if I say no to social invitations, I worry people will stop asking altogether. The end result is that I’m running on empty. I can’t tell if this is just modern life, or if I need to make some big changes. I find myself wondering: Is it normal to feel this exhausted all the time? Or is this a sign that I’ve taken on too much? How do other people balance responsibility with rest without feeling like they’re failing everyone around them? I’d love your advice, because right now it feels like I’m surviving, not living. -- Running on Empty Dear Running on Empty: What you are describing is more common than you think. Many people feel the same invisible weight of trying to be everything to everyone. The truth is you cannot, and no one can. Start by taking one small step. Choose one area where you can realistically say no or scale back, and protect that space as if it were an appointment with your health. Over time, those small boundaries build into real breathing room. You are not failing anyone by resting. You are giving them a healthier version of you, and that is worth far more than a burned-out version who is running on empty. Read other recent Dear Annie columns Dear Annie: Non-hugger doesn’t want to be hugged or kissed Best of Dear Annie: Woman misuses service dog vest, frustrates friend Dear Annie: Take time to relish the small joys in your day Dear Annie: I’m tired of one-sided friendship Dear Annie: How do we rekindle the fires of passion in our marriage? View prior ‘Dear Annie’ columns Follow Annie Lane on Instagram at @dearannieofficial. Visit http://www.creatorspublishing.com for more information. Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com.
