You’re not tired, you’re spiritually malnourished

Why your exhaustion may have nothing to do with work (and everything to do with your spirit)

May 04, 2025

Hey there,

How are you doing? I really mean this question.

If you’ve been feeling constantly drained (not just physically, but in some deeper, more invisible way) you’re not alone.

People everywhere are burnt out. We say it with a sigh, with a shrug, as if it’s just part of being alive in the modern world.

“Of course I’m tired. Who isn’t?”

But here’s the quiet twist:

What if you’re not tired because you’ve done too much…
What if you’re tired because you’ve been feeding every part of your life — except the one that’s actually hungry?

What if your exhaustion isn’t physical or mental — but spiritual?

The hunger we don’t recognize.

Think about it:
You get enough sleep. You take your vitamins. You’ve scaled back on caffeine.

You do all the “right” things. And still, the tiredness lingers. Not the kind that a nap can fix. But the kind that makes everything feel heavier. Even joy.

In Daoist terms, this isn’t just “low energy.” It’s a sign of being out of resonance with the natural rhythms of life. That's called a lack of jing (静)—or essence. It’s a depletion not of the body’s stamina but of the soul’s rootedness.

When you spend your days chasing deadlines, pleasing others, scrolling for stimulation, and managing appearances—you may be busy, but you are starving.

Starving for quiet.
Starving for depth.
Starving for something real.

You don’t need another productivity hack. You need inner nourishment.

Western culture tells you that if you're tired, the answer is either rest or hustle.

But Daoist wisdom suggests something different:

Your energy isn’t just depleted. It’s misdirected.

You’re giving your qi away. To things that don’t sustain you. And you’ve lost the slow rituals that once brought you home to yourself.

You don’t need to collapse.
You need to cultivate.

But what does spiritual malnourishment feel like?

You might recognize the symptoms:

You're irritable, but can't explain why
You wake up tired, even after sleeping
Nothing excites you anymore, even things you used to love
You feel disconnected — from others, but more importantly, from yourself
Time feels like it’s slipping away, but you’re not sure what you’re actually doing with it

This isn’t burnout from overworking.
It’s the ache of being unrooted.
Spiritually thin.

Spiritual malnourishment can affect anyone, regardless of religious beliefs or lack thereof.

It's not just about being disconnected from a higher power or feeling spiritually lost. It's also about feeling disconnected from your own values and purpose in life.

When we neglect our spiritual well-being, it's like trying to run on an empty tank. We may go through the motions of daily life, but deep down we feel depleted and unsatisfied.

So how do we nourish our spiritual selves?

It can look different for everyone. And Daoism also offers some valuable principles and practices that can help guide us toward a more balanced spiritual life. One of the most powerful practices is deceptively simple:

Zhan Zhuang — standing like a tree.

No performance.
No movement.
No goal.

You stand.
You feel.
You are.

This posture (used in internal martial arts) nourishes your inner power by reconnecting you with the earth, with your breath, and with yourself.

In stillness, your scattered energy gathers. Your spirit returns. Your tiredness begins to shift. Not because you’ve done less, but because you’ve finally done what matters.

So what can you do?

Maybe this week, you don’t download another app.
You don’t read another 12-step strategy.
You don’t try to “fix” yourself.

Instead, you ask a softer question:
What would it look like to nourish my spirit — not just survive the day?

Maybe it’s five minutes of silence before the sun rises.
Maybe it’s standing under a tree (or like a tree) without a phone.
Maybe it’s remembering that you’re not a machine with a broken setting.
Maybe it’s taking three deep breaths every time you feel the urge to scroll.

You’re a living, breathing being — and you’re allowed to be tired.

But you’re also allowed to stop feeding the part of you that’s already full…
And finally nourish the part that’s starving.

Weekly Reflection

Where in my life am I busy but spiritually empty? What would a moment of true nourishment look like today?

🍵 Thank you for reading!

Thank you for allowing me to share my thoughts with you! I hope this brought you a pause — not just in your day, but in your spirit. If it did, consider sharing it with someone else who feels quietly depleted.

Until next time, nourish your spirit.

– Zhenya

P.S. If you're new here, it's nice to meet you! I invite you to check out the past editions to get a sense of what my Teacup is all about.

🌊 Where can you flow next?

The Way of the Dao: This course is a structured, easy-to-follow introduction to Daoism. It's designed to help you apply its wisdom in a practical way.

My Daoist Mentorship: This is a highly personalized, one-on-one written mentorship. Designed for those who want to step onto a timeless path of self-mastery, inner balance, and effortless flow.