It’s a feeling I’ve had a thousand times, but I didn’t know it had a name:
Earned exhaustion.
It’s when you enjoy your tiredness.

What is earned exhaustion?
It’s when you feel tired because you did something meaningful.
You worked hard, gave your best, and now your body says, “Okay, time to rest.”
It’s about doing something that mattered.

Why does it feel good?
Because you chose it.
Because you finished something.
Because your brain knows: this wasn’t wasted energy.
Earned exhaustion feels like pride, not stress.
It’s your body saying, “Nice job.”

Examples of earned exhaustion

• After finishing a big meaningful project
• After a long hike with friends
• After training for and running a marathon
• After helping someone who needed you

It’s the kind of tired that makes sleep feel amazing.
Like you really deserve that rest.

I think that kind of tired makes life feel more meaningful and joyful… so I want to collect more of it.