Tired, Busy and Stuck? Why You're Too Worn Out to Start Your Passion Project
Kickstart your passion project without leaving your job or getting up at 4 a.m. (unless you want to).
"I have no time".
"I have no energy".
"I'm constantly running around and chasing everyone and everything."
Sounds familiar?
These are common refrains from clients and friends—and I've also been there.
Like them, I wanted to do something fulfilling on the side. Not to quit my job, but to feel a deeper sense of purpose and accomplishment, to be of service to others. But I didn't know where to start.
The Real Problem Isn't Time or Energy
I used to blame circumstances for not pursuing my dream of becoming a massage therapist. "No time" was always my excuse. Exhausted from work and the whole day? That too. For years, I'd worked from early morning, which extended my work day easily by 4 hours. I was giving away at least 20 hours per week.
Just like that.
On top of that, I'd spend my energy going out with friends or helping others with their projects, leaving me drained and farther from my own goals.
One of my clients called helping others a “noble distraction” because it’s so much easier to focus on others’ demands than to be accountable to ourselves and our needs. As if we’re able to justify it better if we’re helping out others and neglecting ourselves.
The idea of even spending 5 minutes on my passion felt overwhelming. I told myself, "I'm just too tired."
And here’s the kicker: procrastination often made things worse. I’d convince myself that “tomorrow” would be a better time to start, even though I was just as busy and tired the next day.
The Real Problem is: Setting Boundaries and Giving Yourself Away
I thought I was good at setting boundaries because I could speak up when I disagreed. But when I examined my daily routine while journaling, I realized I was overcommitting at work and in my personal life, leaving almost nothing for me. I was giving too much of myself away.
Take a moment to reflect on your day:
✻ Did you start work early or stay late to "get ahead"?
✻ Did you agree to help a friend even though it disrupted your schedule?
✻ Did you drop everything to reschedule a medical appointment for a family member?
If you said yes, boundaries might be something to explore. It's hard to say no, especially when we're taught that being helpful makes us "kind," "nice," or "accepted." Saying no often feels like guilt, judgment, or fear of being seen as difficult.
What Keeps You Stuck?
This mindset is what Russ Harris explores in The Happiness Trap. He explains how our cultural programming and fears of judgment trap us in cycles of overcommitting, leaving no space for our own fulfillment.
"Passion projects are frivolous unless they lead to financial gain or recognition.” Does this sentence sound familiar to what you heard from others? My clients do.
When we ignore our needs for too long, it's no wonder we feel depleted, directionless, and unable to start passion projects.
How to Start Saying Yes to You
If this resonates, here's how to begin reclaiming your time and energy:
Take Inventory of where you spend time
✻ Reflect on your week. Consider the activities you engaged in—were they done for yourself or for others.
Examine Work Habits
✻ Are you over-committing? What can you delegate, delay, or eliminate?
✻ How much time could you save if not working more?
Start Small
✻ Don't wait for that day when you start - it won't come.
✻ Spend just 5 minutes today on something you love.
Reframe the "No"
✻ Saying no is self-care. It's a way to honour what matters to you.
Practice
✻ If you have this internal nudge that you have to help because of your cultural programming, say to yourself: "It doesn’t have to be me this time. I will let it go." and politely say no.
It Only Takes Five Minutes ⏰
If you're ready to stop saying "no time" and "no energy" to yourself, start by saying yes to your boundaries. You might be surprised by how much space you create for the things that truly matter. Don't wait for your to-do list to get shorter because it never does. Start today—it only takes 5 minutes to dedicate to what you love.
Ready to start your passion project?
Schedule a session with me today, and let's get that passion project off the ground for you.
