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Listen "Episode 145: Are you Proud of How Tired You Are? When Fatigue Becomes a Badge of Honour"
Episode Synopsis
Is your fatigue a warning sign—or a weird kind of proof that you’re doing “enough”? In this powerful solo episode, Erin explores the deeper emotional and cultural reasons why so many of us wear exhaustion like a badge of honor.
From personal reflections to insights from Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith’s Sacred Rest, this episode challenges the hustle-fueled mindset that says if you're not tired, you're not trying hard enough.
🧠 Erin explores:
Why we cling to fatigue as evidence of our worth or effort
The case of “Karen” from Sacred Rest, and what it reveals about resistance to healing
Hustle culture, motherhood, productivity myths—and how they make us suspicious of well-rested people
The emotional unfairness of rest: “Why should I change when I’ve already given so much?”
Plus, she breaks down four listener mindsets—from totally unaware to hyper-aware but still stuck—and offers one simple way to start reframing how you speak about your tiredness.
💬 If you’ve ever said “I’ll feel better once I get through this month”—every month for the last five years—this one’s for you.
Mentioned in this episode:
📘 Sacred Rest by Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith
📊 IG Poll: “Where have you overspent your energy?”
📌 Your Rest Practice This Week:
Try replacing “I’m so tired” with:
“I’m noticing my energy is low—and I’m working on treating that like a signal, not a badge.”
💬 Let Erin know what “real rest” means to you over on Instagram @medium.lady—and share this episode with the friend who’s doing everything “right” and still wondering why she’s so tired.
This episode is part of our “Summer of Real Rest” series—time to call ourselves in to a true commitment to the soft work of feeling better one step at a time.
🧡 If this episode resonates with you:
Share it with a friend who needs a little extra encouragement
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps more than you know
DM me on Instagram @medium.lady or tag your favorite quote from the episode
Subscribe for more real talk about building a life you love—one medium-effort step at a time
Looking for more support? Access exclusive content and mindful living tools on Patreon.
Join the conversation! Share one need you're naming today and tag @medium.lady on Instagram.
The series starts here! Episode 142: The Summer of REAL Rest
Don’t forget to subscribe! If this episode resonates, share it with a friend or leave a review—it helps others find the show!
Other Related Episodes (for your enjoyment):
Episode 70: My Life-Changing Perspective on Having the Best Summer EVER
Episode 103: Four Questions to Free Yourself from Summer Stress Part One
Episode 104: Four Questions to Free Yourself from Summer Stress Part Two
Episode 106: Six Things Saving My Summer
Medium Lady Reads Episode 44- The Reading Goals We Forgot About
Connect with Erin:
Instagram: @medium.lady
Patreon: www.patreon.com/mediumlady
Email: [email protected]
Explore more book-related content on "Medium Lady Reads." - link to Spotify
Instagram: @mediumladyreads
Keywords for Search Optimization:
burnout recovery, emotional exhaustion, mental rest, hustle culture, sacred rest, dr. saundra dalton-smith, rest podcast, rest for moms, self-worth and fatigue, medium lady talks
From personal reflections to insights from Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith’s Sacred Rest, this episode challenges the hustle-fueled mindset that says if you're not tired, you're not trying hard enough.
🧠 Erin explores:
Why we cling to fatigue as evidence of our worth or effort
The case of “Karen” from Sacred Rest, and what it reveals about resistance to healing
Hustle culture, motherhood, productivity myths—and how they make us suspicious of well-rested people
The emotional unfairness of rest: “Why should I change when I’ve already given so much?”
Plus, she breaks down four listener mindsets—from totally unaware to hyper-aware but still stuck—and offers one simple way to start reframing how you speak about your tiredness.
💬 If you’ve ever said “I’ll feel better once I get through this month”—every month for the last five years—this one’s for you.
Mentioned in this episode:
📘 Sacred Rest by Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith
📊 IG Poll: “Where have you overspent your energy?”
📌 Your Rest Practice This Week:
Try replacing “I’m so tired” with:
“I’m noticing my energy is low—and I’m working on treating that like a signal, not a badge.”
💬 Let Erin know what “real rest” means to you over on Instagram @medium.lady—and share this episode with the friend who’s doing everything “right” and still wondering why she’s so tired.
This episode is part of our “Summer of Real Rest” series—time to call ourselves in to a true commitment to the soft work of feeling better one step at a time.
🧡 If this episode resonates with you:
Share it with a friend who needs a little extra encouragement
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps more than you know
DM me on Instagram @medium.lady or tag your favorite quote from the episode
Subscribe for more real talk about building a life you love—one medium-effort step at a time
Looking for more support? Access exclusive content and mindful living tools on Patreon.
Join the conversation! Share one need you're naming today and tag @medium.lady on Instagram.
The series starts here! Episode 142: The Summer of REAL Rest
Don’t forget to subscribe! If this episode resonates, share it with a friend or leave a review—it helps others find the show!
Other Related Episodes (for your enjoyment):
Episode 70: My Life-Changing Perspective on Having the Best Summer EVER
Episode 103: Four Questions to Free Yourself from Summer Stress Part One
Episode 104: Four Questions to Free Yourself from Summer Stress Part Two
Episode 106: Six Things Saving My Summer
Medium Lady Reads Episode 44- The Reading Goals We Forgot About
Connect with Erin:
Instagram: @medium.lady
Patreon: www.patreon.com/mediumlady
Email: [email protected]
Explore more book-related content on "Medium Lady Reads." - link to Spotify
Instagram: @mediumladyreads
Keywords for Search Optimization:
burnout recovery, emotional exhaustion, mental rest, hustle culture, sacred rest, dr. saundra dalton-smith, rest podcast, rest for moms, self-worth and fatigue, medium lady talks
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